Abraham Lincoln would be proud! One of First Book’s newest Advisory Boards, First Book-Greater Springfield, actively participated in several children’s book author events in Springfield commemorating the life of Abraham Lincoln as the nation celebrated his 200th birthday the week of February 9, 2009.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum hosted a reading event with Karen Winnick, author of Mr. Lincoln’s Whiskers and Cassie’s Sweet Berry Pie, on Wednesday, February 11 at 10:00 am with 35 third grade students from McClernand Elementary School. Heather Winkler, Co-Chair of First Book-Greater Springfield, presented at the event and helped launch First Book’s Give a Lincoln for Literacy campaign. The Advisory Board provided several books for each of the children participating in event.

The Lincoln Home National Historic Site presented “Children’s Story Telling with Abraham Lincoln” programs on February 12 at 10:00 a.m. and at 4:30 p.m. In the program, an actor portraying Abraham Lincoln was joined by actors portraying Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and African American Civil War soldier Andrew Lewis as they told their life stories and discussed the importance of reading. The story telling was proceeded by a book signing session of several authors of children’s books about Abraham Lincoln. First Book-Greater Springfield distributed new books to nearly 400 children attending the events from MERCY group, YMCA after-school programs, and several Springfield schools.

Thank you to Heather Winkler and the Greater Springfield Advisory Board for making the events such a success!