John Henry: An American Legend

by Ezra Jack Keats

Overview

Caldecott Medalist Ezra Jack Keats’s vibrant retelling of the popular African American folk ballad.
 
Have you heard the tale? 

John Henry was born with a hammer in his hand. He was taller and stronger than anyone around. When men started talking about laying railroad tracks across the prairies and deserts, and right through the mountains, John Henry knew he and his hammer had to be a part of it. And drive those spikes he did! Then came the day when a challenge was announced: Who could dig a tunnel through a mountain faster—John Henry and his hammer? Or a steam drill?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780394890524
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	05/12/1987
Series:	Knopf Children's Paperbacks Series
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	72,429
Product dimensions:	7.70(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	AD670L (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983) is the Caldecott Medal-winning author of The Snowy Day, which broke ground in 1962 as one of the first picture books for young children to portray a realistic, multicultural, urban setting. Since its initial publication, The Snowy Day has come to be regarded as both a children’s classic and one of the most important picture books ever written/illustrated. Ezra Jack Keats’ legacy lives on in the popularity of his most famous character, Peter—the star of The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, Peter's Chair, A Letter to Amy, Goggles, and others. Visit the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation online at www.ezra-jack-keats.org

Date of Birth:

March 11, 1916

Date of Death:

May 6, 1983

Place of Birth:

Brooklyn, New York

Place of Death:

New York, New York

Education:

Thomas Jefferson High School, New York City

Editorial Reviews

"The heroic figure of John Henry is captured in a simple rhythmic picture book. Dramatic pictures with large bold figures express the feeling of this tall tale."—(starred) School Library Journal.

From the Publisher

Collage art and folk literature combine seamlessly in this work by the Newbery Medalist. Ages 4-8. (May)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly