Sell Back Your Copy
For a $1.29 Gift Card
Trade in
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond
 
See larger image and other views
 
Tell the Publisher!
I'd like to read this book on Kindle

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond [Hardcover]

Deborah O'Neal (Author), Angela Westengard (Author), S.D. Schindler (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)


Available from these sellers.



Book Description

5 and upK and up
Stunning illustrations distinguish this lively fictional portrait of Henry David Thoreau, a man whose simple yet extraordinary vision made history — and reminded us that "heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."


Everyone in the bustling town of Concord loves buying grand new things and stylish clothes. Everyone, that is, except Henry David Thoreau. He would rather sit on a pumpkin than a velvet couch. He likes his old breeches patched and his shirts worn and soft. Henry even prefers fresh air and the song of whippoorwills to the hazy breath of smokestacks and the thunder of wagons. But when Henry builds himself a cabin — "not one inch bigger than I need" — near Walden Pond and speaks out against a ghastly plan to destroy his beloved Walden Woods, the town brands him a trouble-some rooster. Can Henry prove once and for all that nature is worth more than sooty factories and fancy parasols? An afterword provides historical details and context.

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought


Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5–When Henry David Thoreau leaves Concord, MA, to live in his cabin at Walden Pond, the townsfolk think that he is crazy. They do not share his concerns about the loss of natural resources and view the construction of factories, industrial activity, and even the polluted air as signs of progress. At the end of a long winter, the mayor announces that a toothpick factory will be built near Walden Pond. Thoreau attends the town meeting and encourages everyone to join him for a walk in the woods. The townsfolk breathe in clean air, marvel at spring flowers, and chuckle at the antics of animals. They realize that the woods are precious and worth saving. The straightforward language reads like an informational book, and adults who introduce this title to children will need to explain the difference between the factual versus fictional events. Schindler portrays Thoreau as a lanky, healthy character in a village of pinched faces and upturned noses; he captures the gritty tones of an industrial village as well as the lushness of the forest.–Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. This beautifully illustrated picture book uses a fictional anecdote featuring Henry David Thoreau and Walden Pond to make a point. According to the story, all the residents of Concord except Thoreau agreed on the importance of buying "grand things" and bringing wealth to their town despite factories that "fumed and throbbed noisily day and night." Thoreau builds his cabin near Walden Pond and enjoys his solitude. When a Boston firm wants to build a toothpick mill near his retreat, he takes the residents of Concord to the tranquil woods at Walden in hopes of bringing them to their senses. An appended note tells about Thoreau and separates fact from fiction in the story. Centered on an invented conflict that is too easily resolved, the narrative falls a bit flat. Still, Schindler's detailed ink drawings, washed with subtle colors, show a clear contrast between town and wilderness in a way that may resonate even with children who have never visited a pond or woods. Pair this with D. B. Johnson's picture books about an ursine Thoreau, beginning with Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (2000). Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

  • Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  • Hardcover: 40 pages
  • Publisher: Candlewick (August 9, 2005)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0763618284
  • ISBN-13: 978-0763618285
  • Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 0.4 x 10.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #782,153 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

 

Customer Reviews

11 Reviews
5 star:
 (8)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (11 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative, not "contrived"--this is children's fiction at its best, October 17, 2005
This review is from: The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond (Hardcover)
Not only does this book get repeat requests from the children in my family, it is a pleasure to the adult eye and ear: the detailed illustrations are captivating, and the elegant, original language is a delight to read aloud. The story--yes, it's a story, not a Thoreau biography for the kiddies--presents themes of industrialization and environmental stewardship in a way that engages rather than lectures. In sum, a lovely book that is sure to be a favorite with parents and other adult readers, as well as the picture-book set.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars A delightful (if hyperbolic) retelling of the story of Thoreau at Walden Pond, May 6, 2008
This review is from: The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond (Hardcover)
This is a beautifully illustrated and clever fictionalized account of Henry David Thoreau as a man who turns out not to be so foolish as his townsfolk think. His neighbors in Concord think he's crazy for not wanting what they want: more money, more property, more industry, more things. Their incredulity is heightened when he decides to live out by himself in a small cabin on the banks of Walden Pond. As told in this story, the townspeople and especially the mayor are threatened by this challenge to their lifestyle and decide to try and kick him out by enlisting a toothpick manufacturer to come in and cut down the trees in Walden woods. He changes their mind by telling his story -- or, as the authors suggest: by bringing his townspeople out of their cloistered lives and into the woods for an afternoon.

Of course this isn't exactly what happened -- there were some industries in the area but logging had been taking place in the Walden woods for a long time before Thoreau got there, and while some of the townsfolk thought Thoreau was crazy, none of them were threatened by his lifestyle and none tried to threaten him. Still, the essence of the story rings true, and the authors use of poetic license serves to indicate how much of a contrast there was between Thoreau's convictions and lifestyle and those of most around him. A very nice story, that would serve as an excellent brief introduction to the life of Thoreau for newcomers of all ages.

One minor caveat on the otherwise excellent illustrations: Thoreau is here depicted as tall and lanky, something like Lincoln, when in fact by all accounts he was short and lean but built.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Lively and Thought-provoking, November 16, 2005
This review is from: The Trouble with Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond (Hardcover)
What a refreshing story! My daughter and I loved it. From the beginning to the end, children (and adults alike) will be caught up in the wonderful imagery created and clever "sounding" words chosen by its author. By celebrating the spirit of the individual and appreciating the simplicity and beauty of nature, children are introduced to Thoreau in a delightful and marvelously illustrated way. The Trouble with Henry is bound to be a favorite, especially among younger readers.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews









Only search this product's reviews



What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
Search all Amazon discussions
   
Related forums





Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject