Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Henry
Henry cannot sleep. The sounds of the village keep him awake. If only he could find the whippoorwill, the night bird no one sees, and hear its sweet song! Henry takes his night jar, fills it with fireflies, and sets off with the lantern to track his elusive serenader. But each time he draws near, the bird stops singing and flies deeper into the woods. Henry encounters many wonderful creatures there, but will he ever find his night bird? And where will the whippoorwill ultimately lead him?
In this fifth book of the Henry series, D. B. Johnson recreates the wonder of Henry David Thoreau’s moonlit walks, and shines a quiet comfort into the mysterious night woods.
Johnson’s fifth book revolving around the ideas of Henry David Thoreau takes place at night, as Henry the bear writes in his journal, “I cannot sleep.” So begins a twilight journey that brings Henry into the forest in search of “the one who sings the song of night.” Guided by his jar of fireflies—which sparkles in beautiful white light—Henry discovers many plants and animals, jotting sketches and diagrams in the margins of the journal pages positioned on each two-page spread. The muted colors and hazy shapes probably won’t suit large groups, but the lulling text makes this ideal material for bedtime stragglers. Preschool-Grade 2. --Daniel Kraus
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."
Not only is this book beautiful and fun -- like all D.B. Johnson's and Linda Michelin's books -- it's also deeply moving. On first reading it's a nighttime quest through the forest looking for an elusive bird. And what kid hasn't fantasized about crawling out of bed at night and exploring the woods?! On second reading I was struck by how profound the message was: Although the call of your SOUL may be hard to hear at times, following it with an adventurous spirit will lead you to breathtaking sights and *true* happiness. Ah, Henry, you are a messenger for our times! Thank you, D.B. Johnson and Linda Michelin, for giving our kids (and US) a Thoreau who is political, passionate, playful, and now...mystical.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Of course, you'd expect 5 stars from the author, but don't take my word for it--Here's the starred review from Kirkus, March 2009:
*Johnson, D.B. and Linda Michelin HENRY'S NIGHT
Ilustrated by D.B. Johnson
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. Here, in the series's fifth outing, he and co-author Michelin wax a bit more poetic and oblique, pairing a present-tense, free-verse journal entry to atmospherically dim scenes of the narrator (or rather, his ursine stand-in) walking, and later floating, through clouds of fireflies and cubist glimmers of rain and moonlight. Unable to sleep one birthday evening, Thoreau slips out of his bedroom and into the branches of a beech tree in hopes of finding an elusive whippoorwill. His search continues into the woods and then onto a clouded lake ("White fog spreads wide-- / it rolls from edge to edge / of all I see. / How will I get home? / I make a raft of branches...") where the night bird comes to him, perching on his head and, later, as morning brightens, singing him to sleep. A great bedtime read, as mysterious and thought-provoking as a zen koan. (Picture book. 6-10, adult)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
We love all the Henry series, but this one has become my 4-yr-old son's favorite. He loves the fireflies. I'm always amazed by authors who can combine an entertaining children's story with an underlying message, and that's what D.B. Johnson has done in all the Henry books.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
