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)