Eleven poems or excerpts of prose by Carl Sandburg are paired with brief narratives examining particular aspects of the writer’s many-storied life. Each two-page spread highlights a different facet of Sandburg’s life and work. The narratives bear titles such as “Vagabond,” referencing his days jumping freight trains to travel the country; “Soldier,” marking his involvement in the Spanish American War; “Journalist,” including his work in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and “Minstrel,” chronicling his musical talent and his work recording and collecting folk songs. Other narratives comment on Sandburg’s family life; his work as a storyteller, poet, and historian; and his prolific correspondence. Notes on the carefully researched watercolor-and-crosshatch artwork will encourage children to examine the illustrations carefully in order to discover the details incorporated into each. (Ages 8–11)

Hobo. Soldier. Reporter. Musician. Husband and father. Storyteller. Historian.
Carl Sandburg was all of these things. But he distinguished himself above all as the Poet of the People, a traveler and dreamer who carried poems, stories, and songs in his heart--and shared them with the many people he met in his travels. Seamlessly joining scenes from Sandburg's life, highlights from his poems and prose, and historically detailed illustrations, this thorough and thoughtful portrait turns biography into its own adventure.
A time line and notes about the illustrations supplement the text.