Parents' Guide to

Henry Works

By Marigny Dupuy, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Henry David Thoreau as a bear.

Book D. B. Johnson Picture Book 2004
Henry Works Poster Image

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What's the Story?

Henry the bear is simply walking to work in 19th century Concord, Massachusetts, but a walk with this acute observer is a slow and careful event. To some he appears to be idle. He stops to pick comfrey root, waters some milkweed flowers, collects pine needles, and notices that a fox poses a threat to a friend's chickens.

Along the way, he stops in on neighbors such as Emerson (Ralph Waldo), Mrs. Hawthorne (wife of Nathaniel), and Mrs. Alcott (spouse of Bronson). He helps Emerson with a woodchuck infestation, tells Mrs. Alcott to bring in her drying laundry because it will soon rain, and plants a strawberry plant in Mrs. Hawthorne's garden. This is quite an illustrious set of neighbors, but people are not Henry's focus. He is sharply attuned to the world of plants, trees, and natural phenomena such as the weather. When he arrives at his cabin he begins his work: writing.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This fourth title in a series continues the saga of a most unlikely picture book subject, Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862), with the same aplomb as its award-winning predecessors. While Thoreau does not appear in an immediately recognizable guise, his quiet containment, clarity of focus, and relationship with the natural world reflect the man perfectly.

D. Johnson's extraordinary Cubist-style artwork and quietly told story reproduce Thoreau's world in a way that is easy to grasp and peaceful enough for bedtime. This is a beautifully rendered tale rich with historical, literary, geographical, and natural history references. Thoreau himself would surely approve of planting the seeds of wisdom in young minds.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about Thoreau's life. What kind of insights did he gain from his life in solitude, close to nature? Why would someone choose to live as he did? Do you think it would be possible in today's world?

Book Details

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