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Title: Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson ISBN: 0-618-26902-9 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 22 September, 2003 Format: School & Library Binding Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.8 (5 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The Bear Grows Up
Comment: As the third of this illustrator's riffs on themes from Thoreau (this time, a take on HDT's famous night in jail), "Henry Climbs a Mountain" is not immediately as satisfying as the first two ("Henry Hikes to Fitchburg" and "Henry Builds a Cabin"). The illustrations have lost some of the joy that distinguishes the first two books. The colors seem more subdued and the scenes less captivating. (One picture in particular, where Henry begins to imagine his way into the jail-cell wall, is positively awkward.)
That said, "Henry Climbs" is the most resonant of the three. For a book of some thirty-two pages, there's a lot going on here: a "Harold and the Purple Crayon"-like meditation on art and creativity; a parable on freedom and slavery; even a comment (I think) on compassion and interconnectedness. It's no wonder this book isn't as fun as the first two! But it's still far from somber. Johnson's insertion of small creatures throughout, especially Henry's fellow cellmate (a mouse), brightens the mood considerably, and the whole book ends on a two-page spread that's appropriately vernal in its color and hope.
The Henry who stopped for blueberries on the way to Fitchburg and still arrived in time for a moonlight sit with his friend has changed. (I'd say he's not just for kids anymore, but then, he never really was.) It's good, though, to see this bear growing up just a little. One misses the ecstatic illustrations of "Fitchburg" and "Cabin," but I think "Climbs" will stick with the reader longer. This is one of the most intelligent picture books of the year--a worthy successor to Johnson's first two books and, like the others, a wonderful way to re-energize even a jaded adult's fondness for Thoreau.
Rating: 1
Summary: Inappropriate themes for young readers
Comment: Unlike Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (an instant favorite) or Henry Builds a Cabin (great bedtime story for our four-year-old), Henry Climbs a Mountain caused nightmares and mistrust.
I did not expect to have to delay bedtime to explain the concepts of slavery, taxes, and jail. A pre-schooler is not equipped to understand these issues. Especially difficult was explaining how the police--standards of helpfulness and good guys in our household--could put a good person in jail. If you're a child, how do you know the police won't come put you in jail, like they did Henry?
The fundamental message of the book, that civil disobedience is a way to fight injustice, is premature for the child audience of this book. A person must understand obedience, authority, and the reasons for rules and laws before making the significant political statement of political disobedience. No young child would understand the different between civil disobedience and simple disobedience, and it's unfair to make them draw that distinction.
Further, the premise that one should try to change unfair laws through lawful means has been completely skipped. Apparently, civil disobedience through refusal to pay taxes is the only means of political discourse available to Henry the bear (though as I recall, not to Henry David Thoreau).
Henry Climbs a Mountain has gone to a high shelf where it will remain for at least several years. Not appropriate for children under 9, but written at kindergarten reading level.
Rating: 5
Summary: A beautiful look at social justice
Comment: Have you ever wondered how to bring up the issue of social injustice to your children so that they will understand how important it is to strive for justice in this world? Heh, that's a bit far fetched, but this book is a beautiful introduction to standing up for what you think is right. Henry is going to climb a mountain, but he is put in jail when he refuses to pay taxes because his taxes would support slavery. In jail, Henry goes into a dream world in which he is climbing a mountain. When he gets to the top, he meets another bear that has no shoes. He asks the bear where he is going, and he gives the bear his shoes when he hears that he is walking to the north star. Henry goes back down the mountain and suffers pain from the sharp rocks and pebbles on the way down. When he is at the bottom, he says, "I feel like I'm at the top of the mountain!"
It introduces children to being kind to others and giving up our own comfort in order to ease the pain of another. It is a beautiful story with beautiful illustrations.
While reading this book, you can bring up Martin Luther King, Jr. because he was jailed in Birmingham when he was fined for his "illegal" protest, which was perfectly legal and peaceful. Talk about how people can help those in need. Talk of how kindness is more beneficial than selfishness.
I recommend this book for children five years of age or older. Adults can learn something from it, too!
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Title: Henry Builds a Cabin by D.B. Johnson ISBN: 0618132015 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 26 February, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D.B. Johnson ISBN: 0395968674 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 28 February, 2000 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Walking With Henry: Based on the Life and Works of Henry David Thoreau by Thomas Locker ISBN: 1555913555 Publisher: Fulcrum Pub Pub. Date: October, 2002 List Price(USD): $17.95 |
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Title: Henry David's House by Henry David Thoreau, Steven Schnur, Peter Fiore ISBN: 0881061166 Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing Pub. Date: February, 2002 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Slithery Jake by Rose-Marie Provencher, Abby Carter ISBN: 006623820X Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 06 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
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