Henry Works

Henry

by D.B. Johnson

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!

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Childrens, Nature, Writing, Teaching

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 30, 2004

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another interesting tale about Henry David Thoreau in the series featuring a bear named Henry. The illustrations are colorful and the narrative is short. It helps to explain a little of Henry's Transcendentalist thinking in a way that children can easily understand. We really enjoyed reading this story together and I love sharing a bit of the history of the area near where my hubby and I grew up.

[Carolynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extraordinary canine Henry (based on Henry David Thoreau) walks to work, but on the way waters some plants and collect others,makes crossing stones in a brook, warns a neighbor about a marauding fox, delivers mail for the limping postmaster, captures some woodchucks (from RW Emerson) and lets them out in the woods, warns Mrs. Alcott of possible rain, plants some strawberries in Hawthorne's garden, all before heading to his cabin near Walden Pond. Helps introduce Thoreau to young children.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

DB Johnson's Henry Works is one in a series of fictionalized biographies for children featuring a bear as Henry David Thoreau. This is a day in the life of Henry as he "walks to work" noticing his natural environment and doing small favors for his friends Emerson, Alcott, and Hawthorne.

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bear (I think) performs all sorts of interconnected good deeds on his way to work. Turns out he's Henry David Thoreau, and his work is writing. It's fun to see how he spends his day, and then writes about it, but I was not a big fan of the artwork.

[L- Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book explores the world of work for writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. The reader shadows Henry for a full day of exploring nature as he walks to work, through town and past Walden Pond. Henry greets many townspeople during the day, including Alcott, Hawthorne and Emerson. Characters are bears, dressed in the period clothing in the 1860 town of Concord, MA. The endpapers are detailed maps of the town with Thoreau’s path mapped out. The illustrations are collage like using geometric shapes to create the block-like bears. What a wonderful introduction to classic literature and the works of Thoreau. It could be used in various ways for grades 1 through grade 7.

[Wallis]

i have very strong but very conflicted feelings

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable K-3 text by D. B. Johnson illustrates a day in the life of the author and transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau is not usually considered for his appeal to elementary school-aged children, I think largely due to the fact the subjects about which he wrote (politics, philosophy, ethics, etc) are not typically "child-oriented" topics. However, he did have play his part in 19th century American literature so he is as much a part of our history as authors who do write for children. It is wonderful to see him reflected not only in collegiate-level texts but in grade-school level texts too.

In Henry Works, Johnson has transformed Thoreau and his acquaintances into bears. Although lots of children's literature contains fantastical elements like talking animals, I think it works very well in this text as a connection to Thoreau's adoration of and appreciation for nature. I find the grayscale and full color illustrations absolutely precious. Some have critiqued the Cubist style chosen here by saying it doesn't seem to fit; I have to disagree. The point of Cubism is to reflect multiple views of an object and highlight the shapes of which it is made. In this text, I think the illustration style reflects Thoreau's ideas about experiencing nature (embracing it wholly) and life (living simply).

I really enjoyed this text for what it was- a glimpse at who Henry David Thoreau was and what his beliefs about writing and nature were written in simple, clear language. It spills over into several different genres (historical fiction, fantasy, perhaps even biography/memoir) and by examining it through all these genres you can learn something new. Thus it would really fit well in a language arts curriculum. I would like to have a copy of this text to emphasize the importance of writing and help encourage my students to view their writing as work in which they can take pride, just like Henry.

[Brandi Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical fiction picturebook is intended for children ages birth to 5 years(N). The author uses a bear named Henry to represent Henry David Thorough in a way that is appropriate and accessible to very young readers.
I gave this book 4 stars. It is part of a series of books.I like the idea of infusing a real history lesson into a work of fiction so that young children can begin to gather historical information. I was inspired with two ideas for activities while reading this book. One idea would be to take a nature walk, collecting specimens for later observation. Another idea would be to catalogue these specimens in nature journals, adding poetry or other types of descriptive entries.
This book is available in print.

[The Book Maven · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sweet little way to introduce kids to Henry David Thoreau! I have just one question! What ambitiously idealistic parent intends to introduce their four year old to Henry David Thoreau!?!

If the author feels so strongly about Thoreau, I think his/her dedication would be better served by writing a Chapter novel for older children--then he could have fleshed out Thoreau a little more as a person, rather than reducing him to an anthropomorphic bear.

The really off-putting thing about this picture book, however, was the illustration style: it was practically Cubist, very modern feeling--as twee as it would be, I think the subject matter and setting would be better served by an illustrator imitating Mary Engelsbright than Pablo Picasso.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnson's fourth picture book about Henry is inspired by Henry David Thoreau's Walden. In this story, Henry leaves his home to walk to work and makes frequent stops through the neighborhood and woods before returning home. When asked "What IS your work?" He answers that he is writing a book. Don't miss the author's note at the back. A thoughtful picture book for all ages.

"Henry turns toward his cabin. All day he has taken care of things in the woods and in town. Now he is back where he started. Inside he lights a fire. He hangs up his hat and coat. Then Henry sits at his desk to begin his book.
'Today,' he writes, 'I took a walk in the woods.'"

[Ruth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book which introduces readers to Henry David Thoreau and his profession as a writer.
The book begins with end pages that are maps which show the location of Henry's cabin, the woods, the pond, and his friends homes (Emerson, Alcott, and Hawthorne). Throughout the story, as Henry walks to work, the reader comes to see that Henry knows much about nature and he shares his knowledge and observations with his friends.
The back of the book contains biographical information which will broaden the reading experience.

This is the 4th book in the series about Thoreau. All of them are first-rate!

[Jeana Wert · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Henry Works, i want to read more books by this author. I really enjoyed it and i thought it was very appropriate for young children because it contains a lot of lessons. I liked that on every page, there was a black and white image of Henry above or below the words on the page. I really liked that Henry was doing different things to help, whether it was watering flowers, or telling people it was going to storm. It was a cute book.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, gentle book about a bear, based on Henry David Thoreau, who walks to work. By the end, he has been helpful to the other animals and plants around him and has returned home to write. Very sweet -- some of its loveliness feels lost on my kids, but it feels worth reintroducing as they mature into thoughts of the authors who write their books.

[Kayla Payton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awards: N/A
Reading Level: 2.5
Interest Level: K-2nd Grade

This story is about the real life of Henry David Thoreau. Henry works for more than money. When his friend try's to get him to do something fun such as fishing, he refuses. He tells him that he is busy. Henry's most important work is then later on revealed.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.B. Johnson's illustrations are captivating: they remind me of angular shards or reality, like memories. I love the Henry series, based on the life of Henry David Thoreau. Our 3-year old loves these too, and the ones with the CD have gotten a lot of use.

[Q_Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.The fourth in a series by Johnson on Henry David Thoreau, the illustrations are particularly interesting and unique Why a bear I don't know. But great use of timeline,etc. I can't remember the Picasso timeline or period, but here are definitely nuances of that period.

[Ryan Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book wonderfully redefines the nature of work, from the perspective of a writer (specifically Thoreau). For emerging writers, "Henry Works" can offer inspiration for how to develop ideas and gain experiences that can lead to interesting writing.

[Mary Crytzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I was anxious to find out where Henry worked, which we eventually do. The art work was a bit different in that with some pages Henry was black and white while everything else had color. In some other pages he was in color.

[Korinne Sackela · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute way to introduce something that could be taught as a lesson in class. Given that it's a true story,I think kids would like it. It also makes it more fun that the characters are animals in the book as opposed to their human selves. Really cute!

[Robert Farmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book based off of Henry David Thorough. It teaches kids his type of thinking and good lessons but in a simplified way. The art was interesting and not overdone but was well suited for this book. This would be a good book for all children to read.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

D.B. Johnson you are a man after my own heart! The fact that you even know what a comfrey root looks like, the fact that Henry walks through the woods, waters milkweeds, finds huckleberries. Plus I still love your illustrations. I want to be Henry.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations, their unique graphic style.

I love learning about Henry David Thoreau, both through the story and the additional information at the end of the book. And it manages to teach us about Thoreau without being teachy.

[Kaethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

We'll cheerfully and eagerly read any more Henry books Johnson cares to write.

If I were a real critic, I'd have something more to say about this. But I don't. Bear? Dog? It's fun either way.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Works by D.B. Johnson (2004)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational to this writer. Henry the bear leaves home and takes a walk, interacting with friends and nature, in order to come home and start writing.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love every "Henry" book by D.B. Johnson celebrating life and connection to nature.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.B. Johnson's "Henry" picture books are a perfect introduction for young readers to Henry David Thoreau and the ideas he shared in his book "Walden."

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful tale of a remarkably considerate bear who thinks of the needs of others.

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Wasn't expecting it to be about Henry David Thoreau, as the MC is an animal! But I loved it!