Illustrated in rich colors, Lester\'s folksy retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad has warmth, tall tale humor, and boundless energy. -- Publishers Weekly.
This carefully crafted updating begs to be read aloud for its rich, rhythmic storytelling flow, and the suitably oversize illustrations amplify the text. . . -- School Library Journal A great American hero comes fully to life in this epic retelling filled with glorious, detailed watercolors . -- Booklist , starred review Another winning collaboration from the master storyteller and gifted artist of Tales of Uncle Remus fame.
The story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exageration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world. . .
A Caldecott Honor Book * This is a tall tale and heroic myth, a celebration of the human spirit .
Nothing can stop John Henry, and his courage stays with us forever.
He\'s stronger than ten men and can dig through a mountain faster than a steam drill.
He grew so fast, he burst right through the porch roof, and laughed so loud, he scared the sun Soon John Henry is swinging two huge sledgehammers to build roads, pulverizing boulders, and smashing rocks to smithereens.
When John Henry was born the birds, bears, rabbits, and even a unicorn came to see him.
Julius Lester and Jerry Pinkney\'s warm, humorous retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad.
A Caldecott Honor Book.
Illustrated in rich colors, Lester\'s folksy retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad has warmth, tall tale humor, and boundless energy