October 23, 2017
Sheinkin (Undefeated) kicks off the Time Twisters series with two titles, including this lively Abraham Lincoln–themed romp. When stepsiblings Doc and Abby express their distaste for learning about history, Lincoln himself emerges from a cardboard box portal to give them an earful. After they follow Lincoln back in time, he informs them that he and other famous figures are sick of being called dull: “Since you insist on saying our lives are boring, well then we’ll show you. You can read about us sitting in chairs, staring at the wall. See how you like it.” Swaab’s b&w cartoons play up the outlandish circumstances as Sheinkin has Lincoln facing off against a professional wrestler before recognizing that he needs to return to his rightful historical role (an afterword reveals the ways in which Sheinkin used real-life details about Lincoln, including his tendency to crack jokes). The truth about historical figures, Sheinkin suggests, is more interesting than the myths, and Lincoln’s story concludes with hints about the historical mix-ups that will figure into subsequent books. Available simultaneously: Abigail Adams, Pirate of the Caribbean. Ages 7–10. Illustrator’s agency: Shannon Associates.