John Henry: An American Legend

by Ezra Jack Keats

Celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Caldecott Medalist Ezra Jack Keats’s vibrant retelling of the popular African American folk ballad in this beautiful hardcover edition.

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?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Folklore, African American, Fiction, School, American History

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1965

About the author

Ezra Jack Keats was an American writer and illustrator of children's books. He won the 1963 Caldecott Medal for illustrating The Snowy Day, which he also wrote. Many of Ezra’s stories are about a group of friends growing up in the city. The neighborhood they live in looks like the streets where Ezra grew up in Brooklyn, New York.

He was born Jacob Ezra Katz, the third child of Polish-Jewish immigrants Benjamin Katz and Augusta Podgainy. The family was very poor. Jack, as he was known, was artistic from an early age, and joyfully made pictures out of whatever scraps of wood, cloth and paper that he could collect. Benjamin Katz, who worked as a waiter, tried to discourage his son, insisting that artists lived terrible, impoverished lives. Nevertheless, he sometimes brought home tubes of paint, claiming, "A starving artist swapped this for a bowl of soup."

With little encouragement at home, Keats sought validation for his skills at school and learned about art at the public library. He received a medal for drawing on graduating from Junior High School 149. Although unimpressive-looking, the medal meant a great deal to him, and he kept it his entire life. Keats attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he won a national contest run by Scholastic for an oil painting depicting hobos warming themselves around a fire. At his graduation, in January 1935, he was to receive the senior class medal for excellence in art. Two days before the ceremony, Benjamin Katz died in the street of a heart attack. When Keats identified his father's body, he later wrote, "I found myself staring deep into his secret feelings. There in his wallet were worn and tattered newspaper clippings of the notices of the awards I had won. My silent admirer and supplier, he had been torn between his dread of my leading a life of hardship and his real pride in my work."

His father's death curtailed his dream of attending art school. For the remainder of the Great Depression until he was drafted for military service in World War II, Keats took art classes when he could and worked at a number of jobs, most notably as a mural painter under the New Deal program the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and as a comic book illustrator. At Fawcett Publications, he illustrated backgrounds for the Captain Marvel comic strip. He spent his military service (1943-45) designing camouflage patterns for the U.S. Army Air Force. In 1947, he petitioned to legally change his name to Ezra Jack Keats, in reaction to the anti-Semitic prejudice of the time.

Keats spent most of 1949 painting and studying in Paris, realizing a long-deferred dream of working as an artist. After returning to New York, he focused on earning a living as a commercial artist, undoubtedly influenced by his father's anxieties. His illustrations began to appear in Reader's Digest, The New York Times Book Review, Collier's and Playboy, and on the jackets of popular books. His work was displayed in Fifth Avenue store windows, and the Associated American Artists Gallery, in New York City, gave him exhibitions in 1950 and 1954.

In his unpublished autobiography, Keats wrote, "I didn't even ask to get into children's books." In fact, he was asked to do so by Elizabeth Riley of Crowell, which brought out his first children's title, Jubilant for Sure, written by Elisabeth Hubbard Lansing, in 1954. To prepare for the assignment, Keats went to rural Kentucky, where the story takes place, to sketch. Many children's books followed, including the Danny Dunn adventure series, by Jay Williams and Raymond Abrashkin, and an ethnographic series by Tillie S. Pine and Joseph Levine, beginning with The Indians Knew. All told, Keats illustrated nearly 70 books written by other authors.

In 1983, Keats died at the age of 67 following a heart attack. His last projects included designing the sets for a musical version of his book The Trip (which would later become the stage production Captain Louie), designing

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerful story, still. A legend about Man vs the Machine. The truth about this is John Henry won the battle, but the machine won the war. It’s also about industrialization and we see the economic hardships it has caused this country and nations of the world as more people are put out of work. The story is very powerful.

I do love Keats artwork, but I thought some pages were amazing and some drawings simply ok.

I remember being in grade school and John Henry was extremely popular among kids and everyone wanted to check out this story and watch the films on the story they used to show. You had to turn each frame as it was read aloud by a tape player that pinged when it was time to turn the film. Everyone wanted to be the projectionist.

This didn’t wow my kids. The nephew didn’t care about beating a machine as he wants to live with robots and the niece thought it was pointless that John Henry died at the end. The nephew gave this 2 stars and the niece 3 stars. That feels like a big fail. Oh well, everyone has their own opinions.

[Petergiaquinta · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Henry was a steel-drivin’ man.

He was a bad mother, long before Shaft. Like Randall Patrick McMurphy, he beat the machine and the power behind the machine, and he died while he was at it, but his legend lives on.

Speaking of mothers, my own used to sing me his song and read me books by Jack Ezra Keats. I knew John Henry’s story and song way way back when I was just a little little boy growing up in a succession of university towns in the ‘60s. There was a second book, too, telling the story of John Henry. I knew it even before this one, the pictures more muted and ghostly (maybe it was by McCloskey?) than the bold images in Keats’ version. From the cover image of John Henry swinging those double hammers, his mouth open in full song...let’s just say that shit resonated when I was a boy.

I bought my own copy of Keats’ book from the Scholastic Book Club back in first or second grade. I wonder where it is today because I wish I still had it.

I should ask my mother.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spectacular pictures more than make up for a generally lukewarm text with way too many exclamation points. Seriously, every page is a work of art. But if you're going to use this book in a homeschool or classroom, you might want to start by looking at a few different versions of the story. You could begin here: https://www.ibiblio.org/john_henry/ly...

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic telling of John Henry's life.

I loved the illustrations and marble-like skies.

Read for our Blossom & Root 2nd Grade Language Arts unit on Tall Tales.

[Alyssa Izboinikov · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Henry is the perfect example of a legend, as a book published 1965, this story was a publication of a legend most likely passed down through the word of mouth. Since it was published during the Civil Rights era, the legend was an empowering history of how strong African Americans could be. Like most legends, John Henry has a simple plot with a clear moral and little character development. John Henry is depicted as a strong, powerful force of nature that was a a driving force in this story.
One way to integrate this story into a classroom could be to analyze this story as it related to the era it was written about and the era it was published in. While written in the pre-Civil Rights, John Henry's work on the railroad is seen as brave and strong. Published in the Civil Right era, John Henry's legend could be seen as motivating, and empowering for many African Americans. Analyzing this legend could be used as a powerful tool in teaching and learning about the Civil Rights Movement.
Another way to integrate not only the book of John Henry and the Disney film of John Henry. We can examine the book and the film to see how the legend has evolve and been changed. Part of legend is that they change and morph to the needs of the times. The students would have a chance to analyze the change in the John Henry story and compare to see if the moral has remained the same.

[midnightfaerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great educational book for your children of all ages. My 6 yr old loved it as well as my 3 yr old twins. Lots of good information with beautiful pictures that will help keep children engaged. A great addition to any children's library.

[SJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary: This is Keats’s version of the American tall tale of John Henry. John Henry is born with a hammer in his hand and grows up stronger and taller than anybody around. One-day John Henry sets out into the world and finds himself working on the railroad. John Henry drives spikes faster than anyone and sings to the clanks of his hammer. While carving a path for the railroad, the workers come across a mountain that they must blast through in order to continue the line. After a close call with some dynamite, John Henry faces off with a new steam engine chipping a path through the mountain. John Henry goes on to prove that his strength and determination are a force to be reckoned with.


Keats’s illustrations are fascinating with his use of color and bold figures. As a “hush settles over the hills” in the opening of the story, the reader can see the silhouette of John Henry’s childhood home against a swirling night sky. Keats’s use of swirling backdrops adds another layer of intrigue as the reader’s eye is drawn deeper into the picture. A clear use of characterization is used as you see the strength of John Henry towering over other characters in the story. Although the setting is not described through the text, readers can see the historical backdrop of the early days of railroad construction. You can see the powerful swing of John Henry’s hammer and almost hear the “CLANK!” as he drives the spikes into the mountain.
John Henry’s drive and determination push him to succeed against the new steam engine and prove that while technology may advance, human determination can be just as powerful a force.

[Reuben Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I am not much of a reader, the story of John Henry took me by surprise and actually got me excited about the story. The use of strong words to describe the American legend, whom we call John Henry, along with the illustrations really brought the legend to life. I was taken for a ride as if I was there with John Henry from the day he was born with the hammer in his hand to the many adventures and trials he had faced. The story is not very long, but it is definitely worth the time to read and discover the life of John Henry.

The illustrations of the book may seem somewhat outdated or not in the best detail, but I personally do not have a problem with it. In fact, it helped me relate to the story even more. Due to the book having somewhat dated illustrations, it gives the book a more timely appearance and may help the reader relate to the time period. Along with the illustrations, the setting of the story made the time period clear by the situations that John Henry was in such as manufacturing a railroad and the carving of a mountain using hammers and steam drills. A reoccurring theme in the story was that John Henry was hard working and never gave up. The hammer is also an important theme in the story as it is with him throughout his life.

[Jeanene DeFine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The legend of John Henry is a story of courage and drive. John was no ordinary man and had strength and size no other would compare. It was told he was born with a hammer in his hand. When he grew into a strong young man he ventured out into the world to find his purpose. He found himself on a fairy boat and after that he went to work for the railroad so he could use his hammer. He used his hammer to lay down track and cut through a mountain. He found himself competing with a steam pile driver to see who would make it through first. The tunnel opened up on the other side and only one would be left at the opening of the tunnel.

The story of John Henry is set in the time of the emerging railroads making their way across the country. It is clear the author's theme is to convey the strength of a man versus machine and industry. John is the main protagonist of the story and is in conflict with a machine represented as the rising industrial revolution. The point of view is told in the third person. The illustrations in the book give a picture into the past before the rise of machines.

[Heather Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats, tell the tale of John Henry and the railroad. He goes to work to build the railroad tracks; he can’t wait to get to work! John Henry is the strongest man to work on the railroad and he is never seen without his ax. While the men and John are putting down tracks they come across a mountain. The men are going to have to dig through it! The characters; John Henry, his best friend and the workingmen of the railroad, get to work tunneling through the large mountain. Along their journey they meet a few trials but John is able to overcome them with his strength and his trusty hammer.

This book is American folktale. It is well read and will be a favorite for many children for years to come. The motifs and themes about believing in yourself and finding your own strength are prevalent in this book. The illustrations are powerful and bold and do a fantastic job propelling the story. This book is sure to be a great read for people of all ages.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Henry was a mighty man. He was born a slave in the 1840's but was freed after the war. He was the strongest, most powerful man working the rails. He always had his 20-pound hammer with him to do good. He was helping the men build a new railroad to the promise land. All was going as planned, until a business man came into town to take over with a steam-drill. The people were going to lose everything, including their new land. However, a John Henry stood up and challenged the machine to a race. They had until sundown to make it as far as they could. The book was beautiful written. The colors were so vivid. The journey John Henry took was certainly portrayed through the pages. The folk truly depicts how his heroism impacted the time era. The book has deep historical roots. This extraordinary folk tale definitely teaches children how hard work and believing in yourself will always pay off.

[Jocelyn Koff · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book opens up with a hush settling over the hills with the sky swirling soundlessly around the moon. This is where we first meet John Henry being born. This story is about the drive that John Henry has with being the best that he can be. The pictures are brilliant and show what it was like at that for those that were laying down the train tracks. John Henry is a hard working man who isn't afraid of hard work and shows what you can achieve when you work for it. He is afraid when his job is threatened with the introduction of machines. John Henry works as hard as he can to prove that he is better than any machine.

[Robert Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never understood John Henry's motivation for out doing the machine and killing himself in the process.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m currently reading Tristan Strong Punches A Hole In The Sky by Kwame Mbalia and John Henry is a main part of the book and I remembered reading this book as a kid so I found this book again while I was moving and figured I might as well re-read it!!!!

[Octavia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ain't no hammers
Strike such fire,
Strike like lightning, Laws,
And I won't tire!

"Hammers like this, Lawd,
There's never been!
I'll keep swingin' 'em, Laws,
Until we win!"


If you listen to the locomotions roaring through the tunnels and across the land, you'll hear them singing—singing of that great steel-driving man—John Henry. Listen!

[Penney Letbetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was used in partnership with another John Henry book. This book cover was great for helping my kindergarten and first graders understand a sledgehammer. The illustrations were better for what I needed. The tunnel illustration at the end of the story was a little confusing for them. And that’s the only part that I was disappointed with.

[Trevor Harcrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Henry: An American Legend tells the tale of a child, John Henry, who was born on a frightful, windy night. John was no ordinary baby though, as he was born with a hammer in his hand. John grew up quick to become very tall and strong. After helping his family, and realizing he can help them no more, he sets out to find a job. He worked numerous odd jobs, until he got a job working on a riverboat. During one of the trips, the paddle wheel rod breaks, and John, being the strong man that he is, moves the wheel the whole time saving the crew. After that, he gets a job at a railroad laying track. He and his crew were unmatched at their abilities, and excelled more than the other workers. They come across a mountain that needs to be tunneled through in order for the track to continue. John and his crew dig holes in the mountain where explosives can be placed to blow huge chunks which will then be carted off. This works fine, until a cave in traps John and his crew with the fuse of one of the explosives still lit. John rushes to put it out, and again saves people’s lives. However, shortly afterwards, a steam hole driller it taken into the mountain which claims that it can drill faster than any man. John takes this as a challenge, and the battle ensues.

This story utilizes the distinctive character element, as well as the tale type element, in that John Henry is cast out to be in the extreme sense of good. He is special, being born with a hammer in his hand, and helps his family on their farm. He then saves all the people on the paddle boat, who surely would have perished if it wasn’t for him. He then goes on to excel working for the railroad, and even fights against the machine which claims to be better than humans. This story does not contain the typical “Once upon a time” opening which has come to be a typical way to start a story meant for telling. Instead it starts by describing the events of which John Henry was born, setting up the ultimate goal that he is no ordinary man, and goes on to do something extraordinary.

[Victoria Gambill · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Henry: An American Legend is a legend about a man named John Henry who was the strongest man on the railroad. This story begins with the birth of John Henry who was depicted holding a hammer even as a new born. As he got older and stronger John realized he was made for more in life and set off to find new and exciting jobs. The first job he works at is on a boat and after saving the crew by turning the paddle-wheel on one stormy night he returns to shore and decides to work on the railroad instead. While working on the railroad him and his crew come across a large mountain but unfortunately are unable to get through of it with dynamite so a steam drill is sent to go through it. The steam drill is supposed to be able to do the work of six men but John challenges it to see who can get through the mountain first. In the end John beats the steam drill but ultimately his strength gives out and he dies after making it through the mountain.

This story shows the life and legend of John Henry and has many traditional literature themes in it as well. The story of John Henry is very plot heavy and has no other background and descriptions of characters other than John. Also other than John almost no other characters are introduced or given a name except for L'il Billy one of John's friends. Lastly, this story has a theme of hard work and how through perseverance John was able to beat the steam drill even when no one else thought he would be able to do it.

[Allison Storms-Valdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tells the classic tale of John Henry. John Henry was just a regular man, but he was incredibly tall and strong, to the point that no other man could challenge these traits of his. When he grew up he set out into the world to find his purpose. He ended up working on the railroad so that he could use his trusty hammer, which was said that grew up with him in his hand. As he helped carve the railroad, he found himself up against a small mountain and a machine, a steam pile driver. It was a race to see which of the two could cut through the mountain first. John is met with trials but overcomes them with his strength.

Characters in traditional literature play clearly identifiable roles. In the case of this story, John Henry is the hero, and his anti-thesis, or rival, is the steam pile driver that his faces in his battle through the mountain. Traditional literature often also offers little character background, but rather develops the characters through the actions of the plot. We don't learn much about John Henry prior to the beginning of the action of the story, but get to know him as the story progresses. The setting of this story is also identifiable with traditional literature. The story takes place on what is in a sense a road. A road is a place where the characters encounter new things and their lives are changed, which is true of John's experiences working on the railroad.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Henry: An American Legend is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, which tells a story about John Henry, who was born with a hammer in his hand and was inspired by the American folk hero of the same name.

The text is rather simple and straightforward. It depicts the life of John Henry from birth to death, including his infamous race against a steam-powered hammer and won, but died in the end. The illustrations are rather well done and colorful, which depict the text rather well.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It tells the life and death of John Henry, he was born with a hammer in his hand, which seems to be destiny, because when he grew up he worked as a steel-driving man – a man tasked with hammering a steel drill into rock to make holes for explosive to blast the rock in constructing a railroad tunnel. His job was in jeopardy when a steam-powered hammer was introduce to replace men like him, but a contest ensue and John Henry won, however it cost him his life as he died with a hammer in his hand.

All in all, John Henry: An American Legend is a wonderful children's book about the life and death of a popular folk hero John Henry and an interesting commentary about industrialization or machines replacing humans or the strength of a person's will and ingenuity.

[Hayley Torkelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is an educational and somewhat whimsical read that tells children the tale of John Henry, a folklore hero from the railroad building days of the United States. John Henry is presented as a daring and hardworking man who takes deep pride in his work and in his personal strength, and who enjoys helping others through his efforts. Children will find it particularly engaging due to John Henry's upstanding nature and the daring events that John Henry participated in, and in his sense of adventure. The book makes a point of emphasizing his skill and dedication, but closes on a sad note with yet another blue collar worker driven out of work by automation.

Ezra Jack Keats illustrates the book wonderfully, with each image clearly guiding children who are not yet capable of reading along with the story. John Henry's story is told section by section in a logical fashion, and the text follows with along with this. John Henry is bombastic in word and deed in the myth, and Keats portrays this splendidly.

[Neesa Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Henry is a traditional literature book and falls under the sub genre of legends. This story is about courage and strength. I think children would enjoy the fact that Henry was strong, that he could hold a hammer in his hand since birth. This book gives children the opportunity to imagine how much stronger Henry was than a normal human being. Henry was a hard worker just like his father which I admire so much. This scene in the book reminds me of how hard working my father is and how supportive he is. This may also helps students feel related to the character. I admired John Henry's bravery when the tunnel collapsed. John Henry exemplified that no matter how life gets, as long as you work hard, you can achieve anything. The illustrations were cartoon like, and had bright colors, such as yellow, blue, orange, and red. No matter what page a reader is on, the illustration will always catch a readers attention. Overall, I enjoyed the book because of the history, hard work, and humanity.

[Brett Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johny Henry: An American Legend is a timeless story for children of all ages. John Henry is a role-model for the importance of hard work and determination, framed through the story of a man with superhuman strength and willpower. John Henry is a railroad worker who lays railroad tracks in a variety of difficult situations. In the final showdown John Henry squares off against a machine that could put him and his fellow workers out of business.

Keats writing reads easily, captivating and thorough yet simple. There is elaborate detail and context that advances the story through a variety of obstacles. The overall theme of the book is that bravery and hard work can accomplish great, even unbelievable tasks. The illustrations in the book strengthen this theme, beautifully painting small people in front of large objects like mountains and trains, with exception of John. It takes a "big" man (person) to rise to the task!

[Aris Garcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book tells the tale of John Henry. In the book John Henry is portrayed as an American Legend that beat the odds and took on a steam engine in a competition to drill a hole into a mountain for a railroad with just his hammer. The book starts with the birth of John Henry to his desire to go out into the world due to his above average strength. In search of adventure and excitement he encounters exciting moments before finally taking on the machine.

The illustrations do not do much justice to the story and the author does try to capture what was then considered the way black people would speak. An example of this is John Henry saying "Lawd"(Lord). Questions can arise from dialect and possible stereotypes introduced or reinforced. While the motiff and theme of the story is done well. Children can get the sense of what hard work and perseverance can do for you, this story may be in need of updating.

[Stephanie McNally · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Henry by Ezra Jack Keats is an American Legend about a man born with a hammer in his hand and died the same. He spent his childhood working with his father, and decided to go off on his own as a man. He became a hero in everything he did. He lived his life with courage and strength.

John Henry is the main character, and various helper characters appear throughout. It takes place in many settings, beginning in his home town, moving on to his life at sea, and ends traveling across the country. The book begins with a very detailed description of the sounds and events happening the evening he was born, and an illustration reminiscent to Van Goh’s Starry Night. These illustrations continue throughout painting a picture of John Henry and his life. This book motivates the reader and teaches that strong work ethic pays off.

[Kirby Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of John Henry: An American Legend by Ezra Jack Keats was about a man who was known for his hard work as a railroad worker. He used his hammer for work, and his last task required two hammers because of the intensity of it. In the story, John Henry saves the lives of men on a boat, and also saves men in a tunnel from dying of a dynamite blast. In the ending of the story, John Henry proves himself to be more efficient than a drilling machine, which caused him to die.

This story was very interesting. It showed a man who did not give up. That was the main theme of the story, not to ever give up despite difficulties. It also taught not to rely on technology to do the job. It was evident in the story that John Henry was a suitable man for the job, but the other men wanted to depend on a machine that eventually broke down.

[Emily Revelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the legend of John Henry is told. The story starts from when he is born, till how he finds all different jobs and finally ends up building the railroads. John ends up dying building the railroads, but first he saves the men and their jobs!

I rated this book 5 stars because I love the Disney short version, but the book went into greater detail at the beginning! The pictures were amazing and the book should have won or been nominated for an award! The book did a great job staying realistic and matched other versions of the legend.

I would use this book to teach comparing with multiple versions of a story. I could use this version of the legend and another. I could also get approval from my school and use the Disney short film as well!! I think this would be a wonderful engaging lesson to teach comparing and contrasting to students!

[Christopher Calderon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An American Tall Tale, told with gorgeous oil paintings to capture the essence of Americana, "John Henry: An American Legend," by Ezra Jack Keats is definitely an exciting read! With the oil pantings vibrantly showing you this story of challenge and empowerment, it's an excellent choice for reading in a classroom when propelling the themes of courage and natural born gifts. It's a fun story, a good read-a-loud, and an American Classic. A star was removed because of the ending, definitely hard to sell, especially with the themes that are wrapped around it (i.e., you can do anything, except that...because you'll die.) which takes away a bit from the overall quality of the story, in my opinion.

[Dylan Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Spoilers)

America has precious few noteworthy folktales and myths, but most of us can recognize the tale of John Henry, the man who raced against modern technology and emerged victorious, risking everything. This book is a fairly accurate and adequate retelling of the classic story, exposing children to some of our national legends and folklore.

[Ahuvah Zimmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

He was born and died with a hammer in his hand! (At least according to this book). I think this would be a really interesting biography for kids to read because the story line is engaging. He hammered his way through a mountain and won against an engine! If that's not a great plot, I don't know what is.