John Henry by Julius Lester

Lester, J. (1994). John Henry. New York: Penguin Books.





1. What did I like or dislike about the book?

When I read this book, I laughed out loud at some of the funny lines. For instance, John Henry drank a "soda mom" instead of a "soda pop!" I enjoyed the personification of the sun and moon. When John Henry was a baby, he laughed so hard that the sun got scared, hid behind the moon's skirts, and went to bed! Many interesting or profound sayings were included in the text. I especially liked this one: "Dying ain't important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living." The storyteller-style of the writing is warm and humorous. This book is a Caldecott Honor book.

2. What in my life may have influenced my reaction or response to this book?

My dad was a master of sayings. He had a saying suitable for almost every occasion. I find myself now using some of my dad's sayings. This version of the John Henry story includes several sayings that remind me of my dad.

3. How would I compare this book to another book or books?

I compare this book to another talltale entitled, Paul Bunyan, by Steven Kellogg. Both stories are about extraordinarily strong men who accomplish amazing feats with their strength. Both stories are enjoyable to read and the remarkable illustrations make the books delightful to view.

4. What new thing did I learn about children's literature in reading this book?

At the end of the book, John Henry dies after hammering through the mountain. The subject of dying is not often addressed in children's picture books. The author, Julius Lester, handled it in a respectful, but celebratory manner. I learned that even difficult subjects, when treated carefully and properly, can be included in children's stories.

5. What other books has the author written?

According to Amazon.com, Julius Lester has written 25 books that include fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and poetry. Some of his books include: To Be a Slave (Newbery Honor), Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales, Days of Tears, From Slave Ship to Freedom Road, Sam and the Tigers: A Retelling of Little Black Sambo, and Othello (a retelling of Shakespeare's play).

Reference:

Amazon.com (2009). Retrieved August 1, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/.