Into the Deep Forest With Henry David Thoreau

by Jim Murphy

A sketchbook format introduction to an important American and his writing for young children. Text is excerpted from Thoreau's own writings and describes a journey into the deep forest of Maine. "A handsome book that some teachers may want to include in units on the period or on Thoreau." -- Booklist

39 pages, Hardcover

First published March 27, 1995

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Bat713 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don ‘t you love it when you discover a gem of a book? This one qualifies! It is a small thin volume of a true adventure. I got the book to learn something of Thoreau. There is a first section that satisfies this. The book actually is about a canoe trip through the Maine Forest taken with two friends. The story is interspersed with words taken from Thoreau’s journal. The book is illustrated by Kate Kiesler who captured the tone and mood of the primitive forest. ( 1846). Every other page is a gorgeous watercolor with pencil sketching to illustrate plants mentioned. The book is aimed at children but it is clearly an adult book. It came from an Elementary School library. The topic and writing would not attract the young thus it was discontinued to my great advantage. It has been sitting undiscovered in my children’s library, but now has a home on the forever shelf to be read over and over again.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

How did this not get wider recognition or stay in print? My only guess is that it couldn't find the right audience. It's shaped like an affordable picture-book, but the text & concepts are better for young adults. Maybe 'tweens if they're tuned in to nature & the simple life. Also to adults who, like me, love the gorgeous pictures and want more exposure to & reinforcement of the best of Thoreau's ideas.

I was not familiar with a lot of the details of this adventure. For example, I particularly liked how Henry claimed that it's basically a sin to kill a moose, as they just stand there, offering no 'sport' or challenge, being "God's horses." (Paraphrasing... which Murphy takes care not to do very often.)

Find a copy at your library asap, before they weed it.

(I dnf'd Walden and still haven't gotten around to Civil Disobedience.)

[Review for reread same. I reiterate my recommendation, esp. to families, and def. not to just children)

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful out of print book that introduces an adventure in the forest hiking and canoeing and heightening awareness of the world we live within. The writing and the sketches and the photos all work together to create a mood of mindfulness.

[Janie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice intro of Thoreau for elementary-aged children.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this.