Abe Lincoln’s Dream, by Lane Smith, author of It’s a Book, is an absolute treasure of a book.

The story of a little girl who, separated from her tour of the White House, finds herself chatting with the ghost of President Lincoln, is both quirky and touching. The illustrations are simply drawn but impressively textured, perfectly reflecting the essence of the text (which is, itself, rendered in a satisfying array of fonts).

The story is basic enough to be understood by the children to whom one generally reads picture books, but the allusions to aspects of Lincoln’s life, such as Abe Lincoln roses and his prophetic dreams, will give adult readers goose bumps. And as always with Lane Smith, the book is peppered with hilarity, both in the text, which is full of silly jokes, and in the illustrations (can you find the chair being thrown out of the window in the Capitol Building?).

In the end, the little girl is able to point out the amazing strides the United States has made, and leaves the restless spirit (and the beleaguered White House dogs, who do NOT like ghosts) at peace.

Abe Lincoln’s Dream, by Lane Smith, $16.99, Roaring Brook Press. Available at Little Shop of Stories, 133-A East Court Square, Decatur, 404-373-6300, www.littleshopofstories.com.