Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "One summer day, Henry and his friend decided to go to Fitchburg to see the country..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

When Henry and his friend agree to go to Fitchburg to see the country, they each choose very different methods of travel, based on their very different approaches to life. This charming little story illustrates through minimal text and fantastically stylized paintings the concepts Henry David Thoreau spent his life trying out. While Henry (the storybook Henry is a bear) collects flowers to press, strolls on stone walls, finds bird nests, and gathers blackberries, his friend toils and sweats to earn enough money for the train fare to Fitchburg.

With subtle nods at Thoreau and his real-life pals Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne (Henry's friend cleans out Mrs. Thoreau's chicken house, moves the bookcases in Mr. Emerson's study, and pulls weeds in Mr. Hawthorne's garden), D.B. Johnson cleverly introduces young readers to these important historical figures. No moralizing here, just a gentle, humorous look at the different paths each person may choose in life. Johnson chose a passage in Thoreau's Walden (the passage is included in the informative author's note) as inspiration for this delightful picture book, which Thoreau himself would probably be proud to read. (Ages 5 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Publishers Weekly

Freelance illustrator Johnson models his striking debut on a passage from Walden, in which Thoreau advocates journeying on foot over buying a ticket to ride. Henry, a brown bear attired in a brick-red duster and wide-brimmed sun hat, is a kinder, gentler fellow than his cantankerous inspiration. His ursine friend, wearing town clothes and conspicuously toting a pocket watch, makes plans to meet him in Fitchburg, a town 30 miles distant. Spreads contrast the pair's respective travel strategies: on the left, Henry's friend does chores for unseen Mrs. Alcott, Mr. Hawthorne and Mr. Emerson to earn train fare; right-handed pages picture a leisurely Henry examining flora and fauna, admiring the view and excavating a honey tree as he strides toward his destination. At the end of the summer day, "His friend sat on the train in a tangle of people./ Henry ate his way through a blackberry patch." Johnson inventively demonstrates Thoreau's advice with kaleidoscopic illustrations in variegated colors and gently skewed perspectives that weigh fast-paced urban existence against an unmaterialistic life in the woods. Both bears make it to Fitchburg, but Henry's friend wears a blank stare, in contrast to Henry's bright-eyed, curious gaze. Johnson implies what money can and cannot buy, and encourages slowing down to experience nature. With graceful understatement, he presents some complicated ideas assuredly and accessibly. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (February 28, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395968674
• ISBN-13: 978-0395968673
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #85,955 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This is item 1 in The Henry Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marching to different drummers, March 15, 2000

By	Eddie Finn (Chelsea, AL United States) - See all my reviews

There's a lot to love in this book by D. B. Johnson. There is the priceless story-lesson concerning two bears traveling to the same destination by widely divergent paths, one enjoying the pleasures of nature along the way while the other works to earn fare to travel by more modern means. There are the beautifully memorable illustrations, one after another, of the bears as they make their way to Fitchburg. And there is the message, to stop and smell the roses, take in a little nature, just walk. Or maybe just sit in the woods and read Thoreau.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Henry Teaches Children and Adults About Life, March 9, 2000

By	Bill Schmidt "estpln" (Denver, Colorado) - See all my reviews

What a wonderful book, and the illustrations are glorious. I heard this book reviewed on NPR and had to have it for my granddaughter. I have since ordered more copies for friends with young children. Although the two bears both reach the same destination, you decide which one had the greater life experience - and shame on you if you pick Henry's friend.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming, March 22, 2000

By	Alan Lewis (Birmingham, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

My son enjoys this book as a 14 month old because of the textand fine illustrations. As he gets older, I look forward talking aboutHenry David Thoreau and nature with him. He never seems to tire of this book and, unlike some of his other books, I don't tire reading it to him.