Julius Lester

John Henry
I remember hearing the Legend of John Henry as a child and finding it sad that he dies after digging the tunnel. However, in this version, it just seemed a bit odd. I liked the book and loved looking at the beautiful watercolors by Jerry Pinkney. John Henry's life was just so short according to Julius Lester. One day he was a baby, the next he was repairing the porch. After being on this earth only a few days, he was ready to leave home. Only a few days after that, he was dead and buried in front of the White House. So it sounds a little more absurd here than it does in the book, and I'm sure that to children it is a mere detail easily overlooked; However, I found it difficult to see past.

Since it is a children's book and fantasy is an integral part of children's literature, it is still a good book. Tall tales from America's past need to be remembered and retold. It is a part of our heritage. This book in particular is a part of African-American heritage as the legend most likely orginates with former slaves who were working on the railroad. Children will love the illustrations and the super-human strength as well as the humor held within these pages.

Other works by Julius Lester include: Day of Tears, Uncle Remus: The Complete Tales, Do Lord Remember Me, and Sam and the Tigers.