It’s time to share a book that’s been waiting in the wings! And to announce the winner of WHAT MARCEL FOUND from Cedar Pruitt—Congrats to Lynn Marie! 🥳
SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN: VINNIE REAM CARVES OUT HER FUTURE!
How many of us have loved the cool feel of a lump of clay in our hands? Enjoyed the squoosh? Appreciated the potential it held?
When I was about seven, my dad (notorious for recognizing opportunities in life!) scooped up some blue clay as a pond was being dug. My older sister and I squeezed and shaped—pots, vases, figures—with real clay! My attempts were primitive, and though my mom saved a few, they were soon forgotten as I moved on. But five years ago, when I read about Vinnie Ream shaping clay figures as a young child, that memory surfaced, an immediate connection across place and time to a person from history. While my experience was merely a fun mess, Vinnie’s was the beginning of a trail she would blaze, an amazing career that would surprise everyone (except her), and a legacy we can see today in the US Capitol.
As I investigated teen-aged Vinnie Ream, I found “spunk” personified. Energy, charisma, resilience! She—and her story—were irresistible. She had the courage to push past tradition in pursuit of her dream, the grit needed to achieve it, and the self-awareness to understand that she had much to learn. I dove into the research, fascinated, in awe. My understanding of the Civil War era widened as I got a rare and precious peek at life, and a president, through a girl from the prairie.
This story had a special treat in store for me—a visit to the Vinnie Ream Hoxie collection at the Wisconsin Historical Society archives in Madison. And as I had realized with the artifacts related to Prudence Wright, it’s the story of the human being behind the artifacts that transforms something old into a goosebump moment.
I sat beneath a painting of Vinnie and paged through folders filled with documents that weren’t digitized!
I marveled at several of her works on display!
And then, the bust of Vinnie created by Clark Mills! When Mills witnessed fifteen-year-old Vinnie’s skills, he offered her the chance to work in his studio in exchange for sculpting lessons. But…she’d have to wait another year before her parents would allow her to take advantage of the opportunity.
Finally, my favorite! Vinnie’s tools! Seeing the tools she held in her hands made her even more real to me.
As I reworked every word on the page to tell Vinnie’s story, I connected on a deeper level. Her sculpting process paralleled my writing process. And everything I read about Vinnie testified to something I’ve learned about writing for children—that meaning comes from investing oneself at multiple levels.
In addition to her hands—practicing and perfecting,
and her head—studying and learning,
she invested her heart—connecting and caring.
That last part, like in writing, makes all the difference.
I’m thrilled to introduce you to SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN: VINNIE REAM CARVES OUT HER FUTURE, illustrated with spunk by Jenn Ely, releasing March 9, 2027!
SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN is now available for pre-order. You’ll find more info and buy links here on the book page.
And here’s a bonus peek—the title page with Vinnie as a child!
PS – I still love to play with clay!
