Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, September 15, 2008 (Vol. 76, No. 18))
Designed by Rich Deas to resemble in both look and size a yellowed memorial issue of a 19th-century tabloid, this one-year-later account of Lincoln's youth and political career features a linked set of lengthy, sharply analytical articles and a distinct period look, courtesy of Bing's always eye-catching illustrations. Beneath hyperbolic multiple headlines ("ASSASSINS APPREHENDED / SECY SEWARD'S ASSAILANT AND TWO OTHERS ARRESTED / VICIOUS MADMAN IDENTIFIED / Blood Found On Clothes..."), Denenberg opens with Lincoln's death, then retraces his upbringing, political education and White House years—quoting from speeches, assessing his increasingly saturnine personality and unhappy family life, and even mentioning such less laudable moments as his abortive engagement to Mary Owens. Enhanced by period-style advertisements and side features on his beard and other topics, by contemporary photos and also appropriately melodramatic wood engravings, this will be tough to shelve due to its large trim size but makes a memorable way of introducing Lincoln's character and achievements. Its unusual appearance is guaranteed to draw readers to it; its striking graphics will keep them poring over the pages. 2008, Feiwel & Friends, 40p, $24.95. Category: Biography. Ages 10 to 13. Starred Review. © 2008 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Susie Nightingale (Library Media Connection, April 2009)
The author and illustrator collaborate to create a mock memorial newspaper edition written on the one-year anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Lincoln comes alive through a series of well-selected quotations, a chronological summary of key events in his life, and period illustrations. There are even advertisements that capture the flavor of this chapter in our nation’s history. The unique approach to individual biography and readable style makes learning about this President an enjoyable experience. The author’s extensive research is apparent; Denenberg knows his subject well and writes accurate descriptions of various incidents in Lincoln’s life. An extensive bibliography reveals the depth and scope of his research. He is especially sensitive in his portrayal of Lincoln’s troubled relationship with his wife Mary. For Civil War buffs, this book summarizes its key battles, generals, and strategies. The illustrations ring true and add another dimension to the book. Period photographs enhance its authenticity and make it appealing to the reader. This book would be a tremendous addition to a social studies collection and would provide students with accurate historical background information in an attractive format. Recommended. 2008, Feiwel and Friends (Holtzbrinck Publishers), 40pp., $24.95 hc. Ages 9 up.

Elizabeth Bush (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, January 2009 (Vol. 62, No. 5))
This pair of scrapbook-style offerings are targeted at readers who prefer their Lincolnalia in browsable doses. The Denenberg/Bing collaboration entitled Lincoln Shot: A President’s Life Remembered is far and away the more glamorous, with its oversized height (a shelving nightmare, if ever there was one), facsimile antique pages, and seductively short page count. However, the triple columns pack in enough unbroken stretches of text to daunt those inclined to thumb through, and the premise—a commemorative newspaper marking the first anniversary of Lincoln’s death—relies suspiciously on over a hundred years of historical hindsight. In comparison, Fleming’s thicker, stodgier-looking presentation entitled The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary lacks the stage presence of Lincoln Shot, despite its employment of old-fashioned-looking fonts. This is, however, not only the more substantial of the two, but also the more user-friendly, with alternating chapters of President and First Lady biography doled out in short, effective, and often flat-out fascinating chunks. Both are heavily illustrated with period photos, but The Lincolns also supplies print and nonprint bibliographies for young readers, notes on Fleming’s research, complete citations for all quotes, and an index; Lincoln Shot concludes with a timeline and index. Lincoln Shot could be an enticing gift for kids who appreciate and enjoy creative bookmaking, but it’s The Lincolns that will keep readers mining nuggets of did-ya-know data Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2008, Feiwel, 40p., $24.95. Grades 4-8.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2009)
Denenberg and Bing create an invented newspaper memorial of Lincoln's death, with yellowed pages bound in faux-weathered maroon. Archival photographs and maps, as well as artificial advertisements (e.g., fountain pen nibs), appear alongside portraits that mimic period engravings. Beautifully integrating content and form, this engrossing oversized (twelve by eighteen inches) book serves both browsers and researchers well. Timeline. Ind. Category: Nonfiction-Biographies. 2008, Feiwel, 40pp, 24.95. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 1: Outstanding, noteworthy in style, content, and/or illustration.