Synopses & Reviews
How big does a home really need to be? When Henry decides to build a cabin for himself in the woods, he gets some help and a lot of advice from his friends. But Henry, being Henry, has his own ideas, and he sets about building his house as a bird builds its nest. As he adds everything he thinks his cabin needs, Henrys new home ends up being a lot bigger than it looks!
Inspired by the life of Henry David Thoreau, and illustrated with nature-filled paintings by author and artist D. B. Johnson, Henry Builds a Cabin is a thoughtful and beautiful meditation on what a home can be.
Review
"This worthy sequel to Henry Hikes to Fitchburg rewards repeat visits and inspires a joyful respect for nature. Johnson again conjures the practical spirit of Thoreau and venerates simple living....Johnson's singular illustrations of the changing seasons exhibit the planed surfaces of cubist paintings. Each scene sparkles as if viewed through multifaceted glass." Publishers Weekly
Review
"This novel way of looking at living space outdoors as well as in will appeal to children's sense of logic, which often defies convention. Well balanced structurally and excellent for reading aloud, the text offers a new outlook as well as a good story. The artwork, created with colored pencils and paint, is as unconventional yet comprehensible as Henry's philosophy of housing. Subtle patterns on overlapping planes enrich the pictures, which glow with warm, spring colors." Booklist
Synopsis
Inspired by the life of Henry David Thoreau, "Henry Builds a Cabin" is a thoughtful and beautiful meditation on what a home can be. Illustrations.
About the Author
How big does a home really need to be? When Henry decides to build a cabin for himself in the woods, he gets some help and a lot of advice from his friends. But Henry, being Henry, has his own ideas, and he sets about building his house as a bird builds its nest. As he adds everything he thinks his cabin needs, Henryand#8217;s new home ends up being a lot bigger than it looks!
Inspired by the life of Henry David Thoreau, and illustrated with nature-filled paintings by author and artist D. B. Johnson, Henry Builds a Cabin is a thoughtful and beautiful meditation on what a home can be."Johnson's singular illustrations of the changing seasons exhibit the planed surfaces of cubist paintings. Each scene sparkles as if viewed through multifaceted glass." Publishers Weekly, Starred
"This novel way of looking at living space--outdoors as well as in--will appeal to children's sense of logic, which often defies convention. Well balanced structurally and excellent for reading aloud, the text offers a new outlook as well as a good story." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review
"Through striking illustrations and a minimum of words...this early lesson illustrates to youngsters that you don't need much to have everything you need." School Library Journal
"Johnson captures Thoreau's rebellious spirit in simple text and lively art." Riverbank ReviewD. B. Johnson has been a freelance illustrator for more than twenty years and has done editorial cartoons, comic strips, and conceptual illustrations for magazines and newspapers around the country. Mr. Johnsonand#8217;s first picture book, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, was a New York Times bestseller and a Publishers Weekly bestseller, as well as an American Bookseller and#147;Pick of the Lists.and#8221; Henry Hikes to Fitchburg also won numerous awards, including the Boston Globeand#150;Horn Book Award for Picture Books and the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. Mr. Johnson and his wife, Linda, live in New Hampshire.