Henry wants to climb a mountain, and nothing is going to stop him. Then Sam, the tax collector, puts him in jail for not paying his taxes. Henry refuses to pay to a state that allows slavery. But being locked up doesn’t stop Henry. He still gets to splash in rivers, swing from trees, and meet a stranger. This bear, modeled on the real Henry David Thoreau, roams free.
With the publication of his first illustrated children's book, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, D.B. Johnson made a distinct mark in the world of children's literature. In addition to the praise he has earned for his original picture-book stories, Johnson has also contributed his art to stories by authors such as Linda Michelin (Zuzu's Wishing Cake) and Daniel Pinkwater (Bear's Picture, 2008). Booklist, in a starred review, cites his "fabulous mixed media illustrations...that add both angular dimension and a right wry touch to (Pinkwater's) simple story." While book illustration is a relatively recent undertaking for Johnson, publication is not: he is a nationally recognized freelance illustrator whose work has appeared in the pages of such well-known publications as the New York Times Book Review, Newsday, and the Washington Post. In addition, Johnson's editorial art began appearing in syndication in the 1980s.
In the picture book Henry Hikes to Fitchburg Johnson introduces one of his most endearing characters: Henry the bear. Henry is based on Henry David Thoreau, a nineteenth-century writer and philosopher who advocated a simple way of life, unencumbered by material possessions. In Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, Henry and one of his bear friends plot two different itineraries as they travel from Concord to Fitchburg, Massachusetts, hoping to see who will arrive in Fitchburg first. Underscoring his chosen path through life, Henry takes the slower, scenic route and enjoys the natural surroundings of his journey. His friend prefers to work at different odd jobs, earning enough money to take the train to the destination. As Johnson's story plays out, readers count Henry's miles and add up his friend's wages. School Library Journal, noted that "Johnson makes this philosophical musing accessible to children, who will recognize a structural parallel to `The Tortoise and the Hare,'" and a Horn Book critic dubbed Henry Hikes to Fitchburg "an auspicious picture book debut."
Winner of several prestigious awards, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg "works on several levels," according to Booklist. "Johnson's adaptation of a paragraph taken from Thoreau's Walden ... illuminates the contrast between materialistic and naturalistic views of life without ranting or preaching." As Johnson stated in a Publishers Weekly interview, "We don't know if this actually happened [to Thoreau]," referring to the Fitchburg challenge. "But I wondered what would happen if it really took place, and I wanted to write it in a way that children could understand." Although Thoreau's famous book Walden "inspired the story," as the author/illustrator added, "it's not necessary that readers be familiar with Thoreau to `get it.'"
In addition to his "Henry" books, Johnson has also created several other characters that have engaged young readers. In Eddie's Kingdom a young artist (inspired by the Quaker folk painter, Edward Hicks) wishes for an end to all the arguments he hears from the tenants sharing his apartment building. Eddie draws a picture that includes all his curmudgeonly neighbors in such a way that exposes the foibles at the root of their disagreements. Sharing his picture allows everyone to understand and get along with each other. A Booklist reviewer concluded that Johnson's "engaging story ... recognizes the irritations of living in close proximity and a child's simple wish for harmony." Another original picture book, Four Legs Bad, Two Legs Good!, takes place on a falling-down farm where Farmer Orvie, a pig, spends too much time napping to keep things in proper order." With simplicity and humor, Johnson adds a lively new chapter to George Orwell's classic, Animal Farm.
D. B. Johnson's goal with each of his picture books is to draw children to the complex ideas in great works of literature and art. In a starred review of his newest Henry book, Kirkus wrote: "From Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (2000) on, Johnson has surpassed all conventional biographers in presenting Thoreau's philosophy and spirit in ways that will make sense to younger readers." Henry's Night is ..."a great bedtime read, as mysterious and thought-provoking as a zen koan."
