Henry Works (A Henry Book)

In Henry Works, D.B. Johnson illustrates Henry David Thoreau (depicted as a bear) telling all who ask that he is "walking to work." Along the way, Henry digs up a comfrey root, waters some milkweed flowers, puts crossing stones into place in a brook, and collects some pine needles. As he nears town, Henry leaves a sweet-smelling pine branch on the window ledge of Mrs. Hosmer and gives the comfrey root to the postmaster to help heal his (the postmaster's) aching foot. Henry performs other deeds, such as digging up a wild strawberry plant, replanting it into somebody's garden, and, in general, helping people by supplying them with goods from nature. At the very end of the book, Henry arrives at the work he has been walking to. His work is writing, and he's writing a book about his observations of nature. A lovely introduction to the beauties of nature, the powers of observation, the goodness of sharing, and the writing life.

We received this book as a present and loved it so much that we donated it to a school and then bought another one to keep. The bear in all of these "Henry" books is based on Henry David Thoreau. In each of the books, Henry the bear does something that Thoreau himself was famous for. In "Henry Works" he takes a "walk in the woods" and along the way encounters his friends Emerson, Alcott, Hawthorne, etc. All the "Henry" books are wonderful, beautifully illustrated, and deliver a message without being didactic. "Henry Works" is my favorite, but truly, they are all wonderful. My son, age 6, loves these books, too, and reading them together provided an opportunity to talk about great American authors and why it is important to think for yourself, to follow your heart, and to "suck out all the marrow of life."

My son (6-7) and I LOVE this line of books, especially this one. I like the work ethic that Henry has, and that he takes so much pride in taking care of and checking in on his neighbors. We love how knowledgeable he is about the natural world, that he brings comfrey root to an ailing neighbor, leaves sweet smelling pine sprigs on his neighbor's windowsill, and warns people of impending rain and wild animals. I'm working on collecting all of these books for my son because I feel that they suggest that a simpler life is often more fulfilling, and that it's good to have a sense of duty to take care of the world we live in and the people we share it with.

The Henry series is a fabulous collection of books that chronicles Henry David Thoreau's work. The illustrations are breath taking and the writing is superb. The stories open up discussions about history that most children's books do not. Outstanding biographical information at the end as well.

I love all of the Henry books. This one puts work in its proper perspective. They are not "just for kids" - Perhaps they arebetter instructions about life for Adults.I do have a question. Why did the publisher make Henry Works a different size than the other books. It spoils the set.Rosalee Sinn

Great introduction to Henry David Thoreau.

As we started reading this book to my 4-year old grandson, he made a face and said in a disturbed tone, "I don't like this book." Maybe the cubism turned him off.

Great value!