LEAVE IT TO ABIGAIL! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams is a spirited telling of the remarkable life of the wife of the country’s second President, John Adams. Written by Barb Rosenstock with illustrations by Elizabeth Baddeley, this picture book biography is full of fun and facts.
Abigail already knew how to darn socks, take care of children, plant gardens and not take no for an answer when she met John Adams. After they married, she became involved in activities during the war such as taking care of the farm, organizing the women, clothing and feeding the militia and raising money. The Author’s Note at the back of the book contains a fragment from a letter she wrote to her husband on March 31, 1776 about the writing of a New Code of Laws: “I desire that you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them than your ancestors.”
When Adams became Vice-President she edited his speeches and when he became President she took over his calendar and was known as Mrs. President.
The illustrations are vibrant, humorous and picture perfect for the times including the use of the art of the cross stitch, a form of embroidery popular in colonial America. The end papers are marked by a sampler in cross stitch showing such symbols as flags, teapots, spinning wheels, quill pens, the White House and Abigail and her Ladies.
LEAVE IT TO ABIGAIL! The Revolutionary Life of Abigail Adams written by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley is designed for readers 5-8 years of age (Little Brown and Company Books for Young Readers, 2020).
Activity Questions for Leave it to Abigail
At the back of the book there is an illustration of 12 women who have made a difference from Sojourner Truth, Eleanor Roosevelt and Patsy Takemoto Mink to Gloria Steinem and Winona Laduke. Do some research in the library and online to find out what each woman has contributed. Then start a Wise Quotation Notebook by collecting one quotation by each of these women and recording it in your book.
The cloth arts were important activities when people had to depend on their own abilities to make their own clothes and decorate their own homes. Have you ever tried to sew, quilt, cross stitch or knit anything? Ask your parents, grandparents, teachers or friends if they can sew, cross stitch, knit or quilt. If they can, perhaps they will teach you how to do so, too. If you find someone to teach you be aware of how it makes you feel to use your hands to create something.
Abigail Adams wrote a lot if letters to her husband as well as to other people she thought could help her accomplish something important. Have you ever written a letter or email asking for help to make something better in your community? Draw a picture of your request.
