John Henry - Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Bibliography:

Lester, Julius. 1994. JOHN HENRY. Ill. by Jerry Pinkney. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0-8037-1606-0.

Plot Summary:

The day John Henry was born he immediately started growing!  He grew so fast that he busted out of his Mama and Papa's house.  Not only was John Henry a very large man but he was incredibly strong too.  John Henry could outrun the fastest horse, he could blow up an enormous boulder by pounding it with his huge hammer, this is something dynamite couldn't even do.  John Henry used his strength and his enormous hammer to help people, people didn't believe him when he'd offer to help but after they saw him work they were amazed by his strength. 

Critical Analysis:

Based on the beautiful illustrations in John Henry it is believed this story takes place during the American Industrial Revolution.  Much of the story describes John Henry helping to build roads and railways.  The clothing is also reminiscent of this time period, gentlemen wearing overalls, vests, boots and various hats.  The facial hair the men have is also old fashioned, handlebar mustaches.  Woman wearing log dresses, big hats and carrying umbrellas.  You can tell it's post Civil War era because the illustrations depict African-American men working next to Caucasian men equally.  John Henry and a steam-engine go head to head to see who can break through a mountain quicker so this also reiterates post-Civil War, American Industrial Revolution time.

The language used within the story is very old fashioned and appropriate for this story such as the use of Mama and Papa.  Such lines as, "Dying ain't important.  Everybody does that.  What matters is how well you do your living."  The use of ain't is not something that is said today by many but it is appropriate for the time frame, and possibly lack of education, for which the book takes place. 

I understand John Henry is an old story that has been carried down through generations but I was unfamiliar to the story when I decided to review the book.  Honestly I didn't really care for the story, I think my expectations for the story killed it for me.  I don't feel there was much for me to identify with, I thought the illustrations were beautiful though.  I do like the mystery behind the story of whether it actually occurred or not, that gives an interesting element to the story and one that can easily be discussed in a classroom setting.

Review Awards and Excerpts:

Caldecott Honor Book 1990

"The original legend of John Henry and how he beat the steam drill with his sledgehammer has been enhanced and enriched, in Lester's retelling, with wonderful contemporary details and poetic similes that add humor, beauty, and strength. Pinkney's evocative illustrations -- especially the landscapes, splotchy and impressionistic, yet very solid and vigorous -- are little short of magnificent. " - Horn Book Review

Connections:

• It is unknown if this story is true or not, I would have a group of children discuss whether it is true.  What about the story makes them think it's true and what do they feel can't be true. 
• I would children write and illustrate their own fable based on someone they  know.  See if they can take an extraordinary  person they know, embellish them and turn it into a story of is he or isn't he real.