Henry Climbs a Mountain

Henry

by D.B. Johnson

Henry wants to climb a mountain, and nothing is going to stop him. Then Sam, the tax collector, puts him in jail for not paying his taxes. Henry refuses to pay to a state that allows slavery. But being locked up doesn’t stop Henry. He still gets to splash in rivers, swing from trees, and meet a stranger. This bear, modeled on the real Henry David Thoreau, roams free.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens, Historical, 2nd Grade, Historical Fiction, Retellings

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2003

Reviews

[Cheryl A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. Still worth five stars. Inspirational and moving every time. And yes, it's still a kids' book, too... I would have enjoyed it when I was about 8 I think. Maybe younger if my parents were more involved in my reading.

Highly recommended for consideration to all educators, any age level 5 up.

I will continue to read and reread everything that I can find by the author.

But, shame on me, I still haven't read Civil Disobedience>

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book in D.B. Johnson's series about Henry David Thoreau (conveniently depicted as a bear in this series.) This story is about the jail time he served for not paying taxes, his protest against the laws that allowed slavery. Great story, very imaginative, fun illustrations.

[Ashley Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud when I realized what I was reading. On the one hand, this is a beautifully-illustrated children's book starring a bear named Henry. Henry, however, is a fantasy stand-in for transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau. So... Henry (the bear) stumbles out of the forest in need of a shoe. Which, of course, only society can provide. Promptly, society (in the form of a fellow named Sam) demands that Henry pay taxes. "Pay a state that lets farmers own slaves? Never!" shouted Henry, "...take me to jail!" Through imagination and creative expression, Henry the bear develops a friendship with a runaway slave. He bears (aha!) a small burden to aid the cause of emancipation.

This book is awesome. It differs a bit from true tale of Thoreau's "Civil Disobedience." I had fun though.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprise! I expected some cutesy story with jumbled looking pictures. I actually came to like the pictures and certainly did not expect slavery to be introduced at the very beginning! I spent most of the book trying to pick up on the symbolism that I'm sure was in there. Some I got, I think some I missed. But it all was completed for me when at the end I learned who the bear and his experiences were based off of.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.B. Johnson's "Henry" picture books are a perfect introduction for young readers to Henry David Thoreau and the ideas he shared in his book "Walden." In this book Henry is put in jail because he refuses to pay taxes to a government that allows people to be bought, sold and owned. This experience helped shape Thoreau's speech "Civil Disobedience." Ghandi and Martin Luther King, Jr. were very much influenced and inspired by his important speech.

[Madison Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written so creatively. The illustrations are beautifully drawn and the colors invite you in. I would use this book for 3rd, 4th, or 5th graders. The book has an underlying social justice problem about Civil Disobedience. The book is about Henry (a bear) who is put in jail for not paying his taxes. Henry does not want to pay taxes to a state who allows slavery. After being locked up Henry uses a pencil and draws on the jail cell walls. He still gets to go on adventures, and lives a happy life while standing up for what he believes in.

[Liz Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book was very fun and informative. This is a great book to teach about the complexities of right and wrong. This book emphasizes standing up for yourself and for what you believe is right. The book is about Henry not paying taxes as long as the state lets people have slaves. He eventually goes to jail for this because he still refuses to pay his taxes. Then, he is let out the next day because someone paid his taxes for him. The book clearly has some complex elements such as slavery and taxes, but can still be enjoyed and understood by most readers from ages 7 and up.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The simple words of the narrative contrast sharply with the highly sophisticated illustrations -- both by D.B. Johnson.

According to the jacket copy, this book was inspired by Henry David Thoreau. Also, seems to me, the author has been strongly influenced by Crockett Johnson, author of "Harold and his Purple Crayon."

FIVE STARS for sheer spunk!

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.B.'s cubist-inspired pencil drawings are so endlessly charming they tend to overshadow the stories he writes. This imaginative, slightly-zany addition to the Henry series has a surprise abolitionist message.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this more than I think kids will, but I'm a huge Thoreau fan, and I loved the embedded song!

[Hannah]

Summary
Henry does not want to pay his taxes, therefore, he is taken to jail. He loves to climb mountains, so he does not stop climbing mountains, although the government tried to stop him, by putting him in jail. Henry continues to live his happy life, climbing mountains. Henry is taking a stand on what he believes in, even if that puts him in jail.

Evaluation
This book is an excellent source to use, when teaching about movements, and the perseverance behind movements. When reading this book, it may be hard for students to understand the overall meaning. This would require the teacher to guide students through the text, and the true meaning behind the text.

Teaching Ideas
Have students make connections to other leaders in history, such as Gandhi and Martin Luther King. Students can compare and contrast the historical figures, during movements, in this case, specifically the Civil Rights Movement. Having students create a Venn Diagram will help students interpret all of the facts of the historical figures.

[Megan Moriarty]

This book is a kids picture book that also has an underlying social justice message. The main character Henry is a bear who is arrested for not paying taxes; his reasoning is that he doesn't want to support people who have slaves. The story follows Henry while he draws a mountain and climbs his mountain. This is a metaphor for the struggles and mountains we face. The books theme is standing up for what you believe in and standing up to injustice. The book is based of Henry David Thoreau who was a real made who didn't pay his taxes because he didn't support slavery.

A lesson associate with this book would be to have the student write about something they believe in and would stay up for. Have the student give one idea to fight/ stand up for and provide 3 reasons they are standing up for that idea. The students will also be asked to explain how they will stand up/ fight/ support their belief or idea. The teacher will read the book before the lesson and will explain to students how Henry stood up against the society because of his beliefs.

[Moira Spadoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wonderful book is a picture book that is directed towards older readers. This book begins with telling us about Henry and his desire to climb a mountain but only has one shoe since the other is being fixed. The book continues with Henry going to get his shoe on his way back but he gets stopped by the tax collector telling him that “you haven’t paid your taxes. Pay a state that lets farmers own slaves? Never said Henry. You’ll have to pay or go to jail, Sam said. Then take me to jail Henry said, so Sam did.” While being in jail Henry started to draw on the walls. He started with his missing shoe and then went on to draw an entire mountain. For the rest of the book he climbs up his realistic drawing of a mountain, reenacting what he would do and what it would be like. The illustrations in this book were very imaginative, having drawings of the situations that Henry was going through while he was going up and down the mountain, encountering different things. These illustrations were very unique as a lot, in not all of the objects were made out of shapes such as the trees being triangles. This book would be great for kids because it’ll show them that having your own opinion is great and no one should tell you otherwise especially if it is wrong. This book is recommended for children ages 4 - 7 years.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Johnson, D. (2003) Henry Climbs a Mountain New York. Haughton Mifflin.

Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson is a story of an anthropomorphic bear named Henry who sets off to climb a mountain, but is taken to jail for not paying his taxes on his way there. Henry didn't pay his taxes because in his society, slaves work in farms and he does not support it. He goes to jail without making a commotion. He spends the evening in jail, where he uses his imagination to go out on an adventure to a mountain and even meets another bear during this time. When he wakes up the next morning, he is still in the jail cell alone, but the tax collector, Sam, lets him go because someone mysteriously paid his taxes.

Though entertaining and visually captivating, I felt that the book leaves a lot to be desired. The illustrations are captivating, intertwining with the words of the book seamlessly. This objective point-of-view enhances gives the story a sense of movement, as you look at the illustrations and how Henry is portrayed in his adventuring. The jagged geometries balance out with the bright colors to make an almost cubist or surreal images as Henry goes along his adventure. The tone of book is a mixed bag. As Henry goes through his imaginary mountain, it is an adventurous and lighthearted story, but during his arrest, the tone was of defiant nature. Which leads me to what I believe is the most inconsistent part of the book: the themes it portrays. Some of the themes such as being curious, using your imagination, and standing up for what you believe in are appropriate for children. The dust jacket speaks of civil disobedience and the inspiration that Henry David Thoreau. As an adult, I appreciate these additions making its way to a picturebook for children, but are they themes we want to introduce to a child early on? Is it okay for a child to imagine a jail cell being a comfortable area where imagination is allowed? Or can this be seen as a catalyst to general disobedience in their developing years while they are still understanding how society works? Or maybe just having these questions raised is what sets this book apart. Whichever the case, it was an enjoyable read with great art.

[Zahava Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Climbs a Mountain is a picture book about 30 pages long with only a few sentences each page. The story of the book revolves around a bear named Henry and follows him throughout his adventure wanting to climb a mountain. It starts out with him only having one shoe, then he gets into trouble for not paying taxes because they support slavery. This deliberate action and character development gets Henry into jail where the core of the story begins. He uses his imagination and the blank walls to traverse the mountain in his head. He encounters dangers like getting his foot stuck in a rabbit hole and tripping over roots. He even interacts with a traveler along the way who did not have shoes like Henry originally did. At the end of the excursion Henry is back in reality in the jail cell. He is released and heads off to take on the adventure of really climbing a mountain. The illustrations in the book area mix of single and double page, with very geometric images with a wide variety of colors that help depict when Henry is in reality or in his imagination. Throughout the book the vocabulary has short song verses and elaborate words like "soaring." Each illustration does a good job of adding more to the story by showing the emotion of the plot develop, like being scared or relieved.

This book has multiple potential uses for it. It would be an excellent book to read before asking students to use their imagination for a project, or to talk about using their own thoughts instead of copying others. It would also be a great book to read when talking about standing up for what you believe in because Henry went to jail for not believing in slavery. Overall, this book is short and enjoyable, making it a good add on to a classroom.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book starts out with a bear going on a simple hike in the woods, but he only has one shoe and needs to go to the shore repair store to get his other. This starts him on a trip that we would not expects when he meets the tax collector and is told that he either pays his taxes or goes to jail. This is when the reader is introduced to the conflict of the book. Henry refuses to pay because of his moral beliefs and goes to jail. It is while he is in jail that he lets his imagination take over and he goes on his hike meeting people and exploring a new area. However, it is not all happy and even in this he face adversity and ends up giving away his shoe to another person that is in worse shape than he is. This person symbolizes a run away slave that is making his way North to freedom. After this good deed, Henry struggles along on his trip and finally reaches his destination. When he wakes the net day the jailer tells him that his taxes are paid and that he is free to go. This book serves the purpose of showing that good deeds are rewarded in surprising ways.

I would recommend this book to 5th or 6th grade readers because it deals with slavery, jail, and taxes. Theses are concepts that younger students would not have been exposed to. This book is about protesting when you believe that the government is doing something wrong. It would be a valuable tool in teaching students about civil disobedience. However, the book approaches the topic in such a way that it would not scare younger students. It uses watercolor images and pastel colors to maintain a bright mood while discussing dark concepts.

[Haley Altizer]

Henry Climbs a Mountain, written by D.B. Johnson is about Henry the bear and how he only has one shoe. One day, Henry decided that he wanted to go climb a mountain but he only had one shoe. He decided that he was going to stop by the shoemakers place on the way to the mountain. However, Henry had not paid his taxes so he was then taken to jail. This is when Henry let his imagination fly. He decided to draw his missing shoe on the wall of the jail cell along with the mountain he wanted to climb. On his drawing Henry met another bear who had no shoes. Being the kind person that henry is, he gave up his shoes to the bear who had none. Then, the police officer came and let Henry go because someone had paid his taxes for him. Henry then went on to the shoemaker and bought a new pair of shoes.
The illustrations in this book are very detailed. I think the pictures are cool because it looks as though they have been constructed by different pieces of the scrap paper. The illustrator stuck mainly to browns and greens to keep that nature tone. I would say the pictures are abstract. The illustrations take over ¾ of the page leaving ¼ of the page for text.
The text in this book is simple. Henry proves to have somewhat of an attitude problem in the story. I think this is teaching kids that talking back is usually not a good way to respond, you might end up in jail. The test is mainly dialogue between Henry and another person. Sometimes to emphasize Henry’s thoughts the author italicized the text.

[Sonia Contreras · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an entertaining children's book that connects to serious issues we had in the United States throughout our history. Children will enjoy the vibrant art in this book as well as learn about what was once a sensitive topic in history. Henry the bear is on his way to pick up one of his shoes from the shoemaker in town prior to going on a hike up the mountain. Before he can get to the shoemaker he is stopped by a tax collector for tax evasion. He is given the chance to pay off his taxes in order to avoid jail time but he refuses because the government allows slavery. He is taken into jail, which the reader would think would ruin his day. Henry, however, still gets through experience his climb up the mountain in his own way.

Henry the bear is modeled after the historical figure Henry David Thoreau, who was best known for his disobedience against unjust states. Like Thoreau, this Henry is a free spirit. This book is a representation of the civil disobedience Thoreau lived through, having himself spent a night in jail for protesting the unjust state. Henry the bear being locked in a jail cell but still maintaining his spirits up sends a message to the reader that they should not let their spirits down if they are standing up for a cause they believe in. In the end, when Henry is released after someone else pays his taxes, it is shown that there are others who support his belief. The vibrant art in this book is complimentary to the text, supporting the message that Henry will not give up with the use of positive illustrations.

[Jordan Brovelli]

The book starts out with a bear going on a hike in the woods. The bear only has one shoe and needs to go to the shore repair store to get his other shoe. The bear meets a tax collector who tells him he must pay his taxes or he will go to jail. Henry refuses to pay because of his moral beliefs and goes to jail. This is the conflict of the story. While he is in jail, the bear lets his imagination and take him on his hike where he meets new people and explores unfamiliar places. The bear meets a person who is less fortunate than he is and gives the person his other shoe because he needs it more than the bear does. This person symbolizes a run away slave that is making his way North to freedom. After this good deed, Henry struggles along on his trip and finally reaches his destination. When he wakes the net day the jailer tells him that his taxes are paid and that he is free to go. This book serves the purpose of showing that good deeds are rewarded in surprising ways.
I would recommend this book to 4th or 5th grade readers because it deals with slavery, jail, and taxes. It would be a valuable tool in teaching students about civil disobedience. However, the book approaches the topic in such a way that it would not scare younger students. The use of watercolors and pastel color tell the story of a serious concept in a way that is appropriate and will be easily understood but students in these grade levels.

[Jaylyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction- An interesting book about a bear going to jail but still having a dream to climb a mountain. An interesting idea, especially going into reading it not knowing that there was going to a conflict like this. Kept you on your toes and entertained, especially when he still reached his goals.

Purposes:

Older audience 3rd-4th grade. The use of the bear makes it more of a children's book but the bear ends up going to jail. Some students may have a parent or relative in jail, this book shows a hopeful side behind people going to jail. I don't believe this book is saying that jail is a good thing but also showing that it is not the end of the world and no matter what situation you get put into you, you can always accomplish your goals and dreams. The vocabulary used is simple and easy to understand. The illustrations are fun because it has to do with a lot of outdoor activities. As students grow in an era of technology showing there are different activities to do besides sitting on a tablet and having a physical, difficult goal is a good thing. Students being able to see someone achieve something as difficult as climbing a mountain, as well as getting out of jail is a great thing. The book is also based off a real person so that could also go along with the lesson plan and knowing the person who the bear is portraying.

[Caroline Downer · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading Henry Climbs a Mountain, I was able to pick up on the connection to Henry David Thoreau through the main character, Henry. Henry stands up for what he believes in although he has to go to jail for it. Henry also has a wild imagination and a kind soul. I think this book would be fit for a lesson in social studies for a 4th grade class. It could bring in connections to slavery, philosophy, and history. The tax payer encounter and talking of slavery, combined with the time spent in jail would be a little hard for younger children to understand or relate to. Older elementary school children could not necessarily relate to going to jail, but they have a little better understanding of Henry going to jail for not paying his taxes for slavery due to their knowledge of history. I think the illustrations in this book are marvelous! I was intrigued by them and they kept me entertained since the sentences were shorter and less complex, though descriptive. The most interesting part of the story is when Henry is describing his journey. He has a crazy imagination, which I think any elementary school child could relate to!

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care much for Henry Climbs a Moutain by D.B. Johnson. This book is about a bear named Henry who wants to climb a mountain, but only has one shoe. On his way to the shoemaker's place, he runs into the tax collector who tells Henry he hasn't paid his taxes and that if he doesn't pay them he will have to go to jail. Henry, not wanting to pay a state who allows slave owners, refuses to pay and is then thrown in jail. While in jail, Henry begins to draw on the wall and goes on a journey to climb a mountain of imagination. I thought this story was a bit strange to be putting in a children's book. I don't think this would be a good way to introduce this story (which is actually based on the story of Henry David Thoreau) to kids.

I liked the illustrations alright. They were different looking, like they had been etched or carved. They were colorful and helped to carry the story along. Without the illustrations I really would not have wanted to keep reading this book.

[Lucy Meadors]

Henry wanted to climb a mountain, but he only had one shoe. On the way to the shoe shop, the tax collector stopped him and told him he hadn't paid his taxes yet. Henry had to go to jail because of his unpaid taxes. While he was in jail, he drew on the wall with crayons. In his imagination, he drew a tree with a hummingbird with a path that crossed the river. He also climbed the mountain in his imagination. He went through waterfalls and many clouds, and then he made his way down the mountain and back in his room. The tax collector walks in his cell and tells Henry someone paid his taxes for him and that he was free. When Henry left jail, he went to the shoe shop to buy a new pair of shoes.
The illustrations are very unusual but neat at the same time. All of the colors seem really faded, but the pictures appear to have texture. Every illustration is very grainy and seems to be composed of many different shapes. My favorite illustration is where Henry is sitting in the jail cell eating his breakfast because you can see a shadow of the tax collector who is about to walk in.

[Destiny Dawn Long · Rating 3 out of 5]

We've also read Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and Henry Builds a Cabin, so I wanted to check out this volume, too, when I saw it at the library. I like the Henry books and think they're a great way to teach the message of Thoreau to young children.

In this installment, Henry is planning to go climb a mountain. But on his way to pick up a shoe from the cobbler, he is apprehended for failure to pay taxes and thrown in jail. It turns out he's not paying his taxes, because he opposes a federal government that supports slavery. And then, while he's in jail, he imagines climbing a mountain instead.

Unlike the previous books I'd read, this one involves a lot more abstract thinking--which is part of why it gets the lower rating. It's still got a lovely message, but I think it's less accessible to children.

As always, there's also a great afterward explaining the history that inspired the book. It's an excellent resource for engaging older children in discussions of history.

[Lauren Burrell · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book wasn't my favorite. It's about a bear named Henry who decided he wanted to climb a mountain but he is missing a shoe. He goes to find another one and runs into the towns tax collector who tells him he must pay his taxes. He refuses and is thron in jail. Once in jail he begins to draw, he draws a shoe and a mountain and climbs it. Along the way he meets a man climbing the mountain also who needs some shoes so Henry gives him his. When he is finished climbing the mountain the tax collector comes into his cell and tells him someone has come and paid his taxes and that he is free to go. I didn't really get the plot of this book I thought the story line was dull. I don't see children enjoying this book. I thought it was very boring. As far as the illustrations they were ok. It seemed like a mix of cubism and animation. The drawings them selves were nice but the colors were some what dull. Wouldn't recommend this book.

[RachelH. Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Henry Climbs a Mountain is about a bear named Henry who loses his shoe. When he goes to buy a new one, he runs into a tax collector who sends him to jail for not paying his taxes. Henry refuses to pay taxes to a state that allows slavery. In jail, Henry draws on the walls and goes on an adventure up a mountain where he meets another bear who is searching for freedom. Henry notices he is shoeless and gives the stranger his own shoes. Henry goes back down the mountain and back into his jail cell where the jailer tells him someone has paid his taxes for him. Henry is a free bear once again! Throughout the story I was able to make the connection between Henry the bear and Henry David Thorough. The illustrations in the book are beautiful and complex and would help readers better understand what is going on. I would use this book with older elementary students to teach about slavery, Henry David Thorough, and about standing up for what you believe in.

[Scot Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henry Climbs a Mountain
D.B. Johnson
Henry climbs a mountain is an entertaining book with a hint of morals. Henry, a bear, leaves his house to climb a mountain but only has one shoe. On his way through town, Henry is jailed for refusing to pay tax to an oppressive government. While in jail, Henry's imagination frees his mind and he heads out to climb the mountain.

Great story with a hint of morals throughout. All characters are flat except Henry who is an adventurous bear and excited to climb a mountain no matter his current predicament. The mood of the book is one of excitement, adventure, and kindness in the face of personal strife. Even though Henry is jailed he does not lose his moral compass or compassion. The book is told both as a narrative and first person through Henry. The artwork complements the text to the degree you cannot have one without the other. Overall a great book and a great opportunity to generate discussion throughout the text.

[Lt Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Henry Climbs a Mountain by D.B. Johnson is a story of a bear named Henry who is determined to climb a mountain. When on his way to buy a new shoe, Sam the tax collector stops him because he has not yet paid his taxes. Henry explains to Sam that he will not pay taxes to a state that allows slaves. Henry is put in jail because he won't pay, but still uses the walls of the jail cell to climb his mountain. In fact, he even meets a stranger along the way. The illustrations in this book are beautiful. Henry is modeled after Henry David Thoreau. This would be an excellent book to incorporate into a history lesson with children. The front cover's illustration is very abstract and beautiful as well.

[Charolette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to bold illustrations in this book and the story that flows with the illustrations. I think the author did an excellant job with easing into the aspect around slavery and using Henry as his voice. Henry refuses to pay his taxes due to his feelings behind slavery and was thrown into jail for now paying the taxes. While in jail Henry continues on his journry across the mountain with his drawings around the room and runs into a person less fortunate than him and gives up his shoes. The tax collector returns to release Henry from jail because his taxes had been paid. This is proof that good deeds are noticed. We all need to put forth our best and help those in need for we may be the one in need at some point in our life.

[Elizabeth Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but it is definitely for older readers due to the content. It is a simple read but it deals with slavery and taxes and protesting the government, which younger students would not really understand. I would say this book is best for 5th grade students. It deals with these important topics but also wraps in creativity and making the best out of every situation. Henry gets thrown in jail for not paying his taxes because he doesn't believe in paying a government that buys and sells slaves. Instead of being upset in jail, he starts drawing on the walls and creates a whole story. This would be very entertaining for a child but still incorporates topics that older elementary students would be learning.