JOHN HENRY by Julius Lester

Lester, Julius. John Henry. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney.  New York: Dial Books, 1994.

ISBN: 0-8037-1606-0

Plot Summary:

  John Henry was born “like a shooting star” and grew so fast that he “busted through the roof.”  Then he laughed so loud, “the sun got scared.”  There was nothing ordinary about John Henry’s extraordinary life.  His strength was unparalleled and his speed was unbeatable.  Told by Julius Lester with wit and humor and accompanied by the rich illustrations of Jerry Pinkney this story is one that demands to be read aloud, over and over, and enjoyed by all.

Critical Analysis:

Julius Lester brings the classic tale of John Henry to life in this humorous retelling of the legend.  Using language rich with dialect and full of colorful similes such as a “mountain as big as hurt feelings” and Ferret-Faced Freddy’s voice like “bat wings on a tombstone”, this story comes to life.  The characters are authentic and appropriate to the tall tale genre.  The setting is historically accurate and takes place in the mountains of West Virginia where this legend was born. Through the use of humor and exaggeration, Lester conveys the ultimate theme of the story - the importance of being the best that one can be and living one’s life well.  The text is peppered with unexpected treasures of wit that surprise that delight.

Jerry Pinkney’s impressive watercolor illustrations are rich in detail and portray the story through warm, earthy tones.  The features of the characters are realistic, accurate and convey the rich heritage of the African American culture at the turn of the 19^th century.  The facial expressions captured by Pinkney allow readers to experience the emotion of the story.  The layout of the book with large illustrations covering at least one and one-half pages of each two-page spread, and offset with text, lends itself to reading aloud and displaying the beautiful pictures.  This is sure to be a favorite.

 

Review Excerpts:

“… a triumph of collaboration…” ~Publisher’s Weekly

“…a fine addition to any folktale collection.” ~School Library Journal

“…the story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and natural world.” ~Booklist (starred)

Awards:

Caldecott Honor Book

Connections:

**Other African American Folk Tales:

            Big Jabe by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

            Thunder Rose by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson (Coretta Scott King)

            Hewitt Anderson’s Great Big Life by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by Kadir Nelson

**Have students discuss the similarities and differences of other versions of the story of John Henry:

            John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats

            John Henry by Carol Ottolenghi

            The Legend of John Henry by Terry Small (told in verse)