“Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address,” by Abraham Lincoln, illustrated by James Daugherty; Albert Whitman & Company, $19.99, 48 pages, ages 6-12.

On November 19th, America commemorates the Sesquicentennial anniversary of Lincoln’s immortal speech at the battlefields of Gettysburg.  In recognition, Albert Whitman & Company re-issued Newbery medalist James Daugherty’s 1947 pictoral commemoration of that day.   Daugherty’s sweeping, heroic images accompany the 272-word oration. Lincoln’s address dedicated part of the bloody fields as a sacred burial ground – a testament to those who fought for equality and freedom.  

In the afterword is an image by image explanation of how Daugherty chose to interpret various sections of the text. There’s also a facsimile of the address in Lincoln’s own handwriting and an afterword by Civil War professor Gabor Boritt.  

This is a book meant to be read and shared by generations of Americans, and it’s a superb reminder that despite our current troubles, America will always stand for liberty and equality.