Henry Climbs a Mountain ANNOTATION
Although he loves his freedom, Henry, a bear modeled on Henry Thoreau, goes to jail rather than go against his principles. Based on an incident in the life of Henry David Thoreau.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Henry wants to climb a mountain, and nothing is going to stop him. Then Sam, the tax collector, puts him in jail for not paying his taxes. Henry refuses to pay to a state that allows slavery. But being locked up doesn't stop Henry. He still gets to splash in rivers, swing from trees, and meet a stranger. This bear, modeled on the real Henry David Thoreau, roams free.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
Henry Climbs a Mountain, the third book by D. B. Johnson based on the life of Henry David Thoreau, follows the ursine hero on his way to go mountain-climbing. Before he gets there, Henry is jailed for tax evasion. However, being locked up doesn't stop Henry from climbing mountains and forging some streams of his own invention. Interesting perspectives and Cubist shapes convey the adventurous bear's imagination and connection with nature. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
Children's Literature - Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz
Inspired by Henry David Thoreau's Walden, Johnson has written Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and Henry Builds a Cabin, to great acclaim. Here, his Henry, an anthropomorphic bear, starts out to climb a mountain. On his way to find his lost shoe, he is stopped by the tax collector. When he refuses to pay to "a state that lets farmers own slaves" he is put in jail. There, with crayons, he creates for himself on the wall a path to the mountain, waterfalls, clouds, even another traveler with whom he has further adventures. The next morning someone has paid his taxes and he is free, but he has been free all along in his mind. With colored pencils and paint Johnson creates pictures in a cubist style. The full-page scenes combine Henry's adventures with very decorative settings quite appropriate for his imaginary travels. The concept of creating one's own world, like that in Harold and the Purple Crayon, reinforces the notion of the liberating power of art. Informative notes about Thoreau are included. 2003, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 4 to 8.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-In this story, based on an incident in the life of Henry David Thoreau, Henry the bear is arrested for non-payment of taxes and spends a night in jail making the most of the experience. An author's note relates Thoreau's stand on civil disobedience and slavery to Henry's dilemma. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.
Kirkus Reviews
In his third book about Henry David Thoreau, Johnson describes a more complex concept: how people can change bad laws without fighting. Henry is given the choice of paying his taxes or going to jail. Henry refuses: "Pay a state that lets farmers own slaves? Never!" Henry is incarcerated, and after spending the night in jail, heﾽs freed, his taxes paid, presumably by someone Henry has befriended. Freedom to Henry "feels like being on top of a very tall mountain!" Johnsonﾽs familiar style of faceted forms, built of angular shapes and warm, natural colors, including multiple perspectives create a visually dynamic story. The birdﾽs-eye views of Henry in his cell are particularly effective. Johnson in his endnote, writes that Thoreau assisted slaves in fleeing to Canada, and that both Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were inspired by Thoreauﾽs writings. Young readers may not understand concepts of tax protest and slavery, but would welcome reading another story about a familiar and unique character whose deep moral convictions are expressed in simple, daily deeds. (Picture book. 6-9)
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