D.B. Johnson

Young me would have given it five stars. I used to love Escher, surrealism, topology, etc. This introduces some of those ideas effectively, with wit and charm. Now, well, the sepia tones and the challenging text detract from my personal enjoyment, so, a four-star compromise.

Lovely illustrations and really good story based on Henry David Thoreau's philosophy. Henry and a friend decide to see who can get to Fitchburg first, by walking or by earning the money for a train ticket. An interesting story of time vs. money. The story seems to tip the hat toward Henry and his walk through the woods, since he had some blackberries to share with his friend (who was empty handed) at the end of the trip. It would be an interesting class discussion to see who sided with show more Henry's friend, though, who got money for doing different tasks, saving up for a trip he wanted to take, one with a competitive challenge (who will get there first?) to it. show less

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.

In Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, a bear named Henry tells his friend that walking is the fastest way to get to Fitchburg while his friend insists that the train is faster. As Henry goes on his adventure, his friend spends all day working to save up money for the train ticket. Even though his friend was right in the end, Henry had more fun. This can be used to examine the idea that "it's the Journey, not the Destination". Children can also compare the two bears and what they were doing throughout show more the day, and engage in a discussion of how they go from place to place. show less