John Henry Author:Julius Lester, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator) The stunning 1995 Caldecott Honor Book — John Henry is stronger than ten men, and can dig through a mountain faster than a steam drill. Julius Lester's folksy retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad has warmth, tall tale humor, and boundless energy. Jerry Pinkney illustrates the story with "rich colors borrowed from the rocks... more » and the earth, so beautiful that they summon their own share of smiles and tears" (Booklist).
"A tall tale and heroic myth, a celebration of the human spirit.... The story is told with rhythm and wit, humor and exaggeration, and with a heart-catching immediacy that connects the human and the natural world." --Booklist, starred review
* A Caldecott Honor Book
* Winner of the Society of Illustrators' Gold Medal
* An ALA Notable Book
* An NCSS-CBC Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
* Winner of the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award
* The Horn Book Fanfare List
* A Parents Magazine Best Children's Book of the Year