AUBURN - Even the snacks had a connection to Abraham Lincoln at the Seward House event for children Saturday.

As the gathering of more than 20 children listened to stories about Lincoln, they munched on apple slices and drank cider, among the snacks chosen not just because they were healthy, but also because they were eaten in the 19th century when Lincoln was the country's 16th president.

Jennifer Haines, curator of education outreach at the Auburn museum, read a variety of Lincoln stories and shared interest facts about Lincoln, whose 200th birthday is being celebrated all over the country with special events.

The bicentennial could be one reason attendance was strong, too. A typical Seward House story time gathering draws about a dozen young participants.

“It's a nice way for kids to start their break,” Haines said of this year's event, which was held in the museum's gift shop.

Haines specifically chose to have children's story time during winter break from school so that more children and their parents can attend. The program provides education, entertainment and health, she said. Children read fun books while learning and eating healthy snacks.

The food came from the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cayuga County. In addition to the historical connection, they were chosen as part of the county Eat Well Play Hard community project.

The books Haines read covered a wide variety of stories, including “Abe Lincoln Crosses the Creek,” “Abe Lincoln's Hat,” and “Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loves Books.”

All of the stories were educational, featuring Lincoln throughout his life, especially his childhood.

Children were allowed to ask questions about Lincoln and were encouraged to interact by cheering on the characters throughout their adventures and guessing to see what happens throughout the stories.

Haines also provided those in attendance with facts about Lincoln such as his birthday (Feb. 12), that fact that he was the tallest president so far at 6 feet 4 inches tall, and that Auburnian William Seward was secretary of state in Lincoln's cabinet.

Haines also made sure to boost the self esteem of her listeners.

“Just because you don't become famous and get your name in the history books like Abe Lincoln doesn't mean you're not special,” Haines told the children. “This is important to remember.”

The Seward House hosts children's story time events at least twice a year.

Themes in the past have included Alaska, Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railway.