Henry Works [Hardcover]

D.B. Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up | Series: Henry

Without Henry, wildflowers would go unwatered in dry weather and rivers would have no crossing stones. Without him, who would bring news of coming storms?
Henry works, but no one seems to notice.
“You’re not doing anything today,” his friend says. “Come fishing with me.” “Not today,” says Henry as he digs up a healing plant for a neighbor. Though he never gets paid, Henry works for more than money.

In this fourth book about Henry David Thoreau, D. B. Johnson’s quiet story flows through morning’s mist to evening’s glow, when, at last, Henry’s most important work is revealed!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3–In his fourth and finest story about a bear modeled after Henry David Thoreau, Johnson successfully conveys the writer's idea of "real work." In the morning, Henry steps outside and decides that it "is a perfect day to walk to work." On his way, he waters wildflowers, builds a path across a brook, shares news of a coming storm with neighbors, takes a letter to Emerson, gives comfrey root to the postmaster to help his sore foot, relocates some troublesome woodchucks, and marks a path. And so it continues, and each time a friend asks him what he is doing, he replies, "I'm just walking to work." When asked, "What IS your work?" Henry replies, "It's writing.… I'm writing a book." An image of Henry against a chartreuse landscape fills the cover, conveying what he likes most: being immersed in and writing about nature. Done in colored pencil and paint, the artwork features multifaceted, geometric shapes in earth tones with touches of pastels. Johnson describes Henry's work in the back matter, including Thoreau's words: "For many years I was self-appointed inspector of snow-storms and rainstorms… surveyor, if not of highways, then of forest paths and all across-lot routes, keeping them open, and ravines bridged and passable…." Young readers will appreciate Henry's endeavors, and commiserate with him, having had elders judge their "work" less important or as "child's play."–Marian Creamer, Children's Literature Alive, Portland, OR
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. The fourth volume in a series of Thoreau-inspired picture books features Henry the bear "walking to work." Though unemployed in the traditional sense, he finds plenty of useful things to do, helping his neighbors and his environment, as he follows a circuitous path by the pond, through the woods, into the town of Concord. Back home at last, he gets to work writing about his ramble. Though the story here is less focused than in the previous books, fans of the series will happily follow the amiable bear as he ambles the countryside. The book ends with a page of information about Henry David Thoreau's life and work. As in the previous books, Johnson's distinctive artwork, which uses geometric shapes to strong effect, greatly enhances the experience of any child hearing the book read aloud. Though unconventional in approach, these beautiful illustrations are entirely accessible to children. Recommended for libraries in which the earlier books have a following. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; None edition (August 30, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618420037
• ISBN-13: 978-0618420032
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #892,066 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful Henry book, September 21, 2004

By 

Mike Windsor (Fort Worth, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Henry Works (Hardcover)

Henry the bear, the alter ego of Henry David Thoreau, goes on another walk. Like the other Henry books, this one uses collage-style illustrations, and pays great attention to detail. For example, the birds, animals, and fish are easily identifiable as a particular species (no generic birds here). After reading the book several times, I still find things in the illustrations that I had missed earlier.

Like the other Henry books, there are a number of messages: respect for nature, being helpful to other people (and animals), not being distracted from your work, and the notion that getting out and being a part of your world can be your work. These messages are subtle, a nice contrast to many children's books. Better still, no cartoon character is involved, and there is no product placement. At the end of each of the Henry books is a brief biographical sketch of Henry David Thoreau.

The true test is that my two-year old comes back to the Henry books, even after the novelty has worn off. I don't mind, because I enjoy reading them and looking at the pictures.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whistle While You Work, July 6, 2005

By 

M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Henry Works (Hardcover)

This is the fourth in D.B. Johnson's brilliant series that combines post-impressionist art and 19th century American transcendental philosophy. The idea itself is imaginative, and Johnson once again pursues it with humor, historical accuracy, and astonishing illustrations-among the best I have seen in books for kids.

The protagonist is Henry Bear, a secure individualist (with a strong communal spirit) who emulates the teachings of his famous namesake--Henry David Thoreau. When he chances upon Henry digging up a comfrey root by the pond, his buddy Channing invites him to go fishing, but Henry demurs: "'Not today...I'm walking to work.' Henry puts the comfrey root in his hat and walks down the path." Henry, as we know from previous books, likes to take his time and soak up the nature he sees everywhere around him. He climbs a tall hill and observes the clouds' promise of rain, then waters some milkweed flowers, and picks up some pine. At Mrs. Hosmer's (who, once again, looks a lot like a bearish Whistler's mother) Henry leaves some pine by her window, and in town he gives the postmaster some comfrey for his sore foot. The postmaster asks him, "Since you're not working, can you take this letter to Emerson?" Henry keeps doing his favors, big and small, as he walks to Mr. Emerson's, Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne, and Mrs. Alcott's. (D. B. Johnson's literary allusions keep the book interesting for adults without interrupting the flow for kids). Henry keeps walking through the forest and the mill river, picking berries, helping neighbors, and insisting that he isn't working. SPOILER AHEAD: Finally, the puzzled Channing asked him what his work is. Like Thoreau, Henry is a writer, and, also like Thoreau his work begins when he recounts the day's events on paper: "'Today,' he writes, `I took a walk in the woods.'" A very good one-page biography of Thoreau closes the book.

The excellent narrative is only part of the book's appeal. D. B. Johnson's ink and colored pencil illustrations play with perspective, showing multiple angles at the same time. His beautifully colored drawings have elements of cubism and the nature studies of Rousseau and Gauguin. One can also see hints of Cezanne and "folk artists" such as Grandma Moses. As with his story, however, his unique and technically sophisticated style doesn't interfere with understanding and enjoying the plot. If anything, the style is not as overtly cubist as in "Henry Hikes to Fitchburg," and he accompanies the stylized drawings with small, simple, black and white pictures of Henry. Though not as dazzling as `Fitchburg,' "Henry Works" can probably reach a younger age range. Another piece de resistance from Johnson; this is one of those great books that children and adults alike will treasure.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical!, August 8, 2005

By 

SquirrelBoy (Blacksburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Henry Works (Hardcover)

Johnson captures the spirit of Thoreau and the transcendentalists on every page. It's inspiring to travel through a day with Henry, helping the creatures of the town in numerous small but important ways. The illustrations are brilliant as well. I have to say, as a fan, that I loved it more than my active, silly, slapstick-loving four-year-old daughter. She liked hunting for subtle aspects of the artwork, though ("Can you find the fox?"). And I have a feeling she'll grow into it. If not, it moves to my bookcase!