Figurative language in julius lesters john henry metaphor comparing two unlike things by saying that one thing is another thing onomatopoeia using words to represent sounds simile comparing two unlike things, using like or ask his voice sounded like bat wings on. More ideas to use with the john henry story are available in an activity guide at schlessinger media. John henry by julius lester john henry is an african folklore about a man named john henry. John henry picture puffins julius lester, jerry pinkney on. Julius lester s john henry is based on the african american folk ballad john henry, the tale of john henry, the steeldriving man who was bigger and stronger than anyone and the competition. Nothing can stop john henry no boulder, no mountain, and definitely no steam drill. It is about the american legendary figure john henry. Figurative language in john henry by julius lester by. When john henry was born the birds, bears, rabbits, and even a unicorn came to see him. Most encouraging, john henry books are still being published.
An entire crew of freed slaves has been promised land if they can finish by deadline, but theyre exhausted and unable to continue. John henry was born on the porch of his mothers house and shortly after he was born he grew so tall and so strong,he grew straight through the roof of the house. The legend of john henry has been celebrated in song and story for generations, but my favorite version is the childrens picture book john henry by julius lester, with illustrations by jerry pinkney. Julius lesters john henry is based on the african american folk ballad john henry, the tale of john henry, the steeldriving man who was bigger and stronger than anyone and the competition. Text dependent questions john henry by julius lester. John smoked the drill, but his big heart burst in the process. John henry, a freed slave, happens across a railroad building project. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Nothing can stop john henryno boulder, no mountain, and definitely no steam drill. Julius lester s uses of anthropomorphism and anachronism mark the story with his own distinctive flair as a skillful storyteller for contemporary children. Artist jerry pinkney collaborated with author julius lester on the retelling of. John henry picture book by julius lester thoughtco. When john henry was born, birds came from everywhere to see him. Julius lester has 73 books on goodreads with 38936 ratings.
John henry is stronger than ten men, and can dig through a mountain faster than a steam drill. This caldecott honor illustrated version of the john henry ballad tells the story of john henrys amazing life and death. Writing about reading with optional ccss alignment. How does the story of john henry illustrate the importance of working with determine a theme of a story. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Johnson, tom stechschulte, john mcdonough, julia gibson, michael early. Jerry pinkneys vibrant colored pencil and watercolor paintings depict john henry as an ordinary mortal, just a little taller than everybody else. He grew so fast, he burst right through the porch roof, and laughed so loud, he scared the. Louis, missouri in 1939, by the early 1960s he was in new york city, singing songs of lynching see how the rain falls at rallies for sncc the student nonviolent coordinating committee.
How does the author help us to understand what the word commotion means. When john henry was born the birds, bears, rabbits. His book lovesong is a beautifully written account of his spiritual journey away from the conventions of his southern heritage and methodist upbringing, culminating in his personal selfdiscovery through a conversion to judaism. John henry by julius lester pictures by jerry pinkney puffin books. John henry by julius lester i have loved to read for as long as i can remember, and some of the first books i remember reading with my grandparents were julius lester stories. Author julius lester and illustrator jerry pinkney join forces in this lovely picturebook retelling of the tall tale of john henry, the legendary africanamerican steel driver whose contest with a steampowered drilling machine has been immortalized in american folk music. Study john henry with your students, while teaching your class about metaphors and similes. Based on the famous african american folk ballad john henry, this story tells of the legendary contest to the death between a spirited man with a hammer and a steam drill to build a tunnel through the allegheny mountains of west virginia. Julius lesters folksy retelling of a popular africanamerican folk ballad has warmth, tall tale humor. Newbery honor winner julius lester writes with such power that this africa. Publication date 1994 topics john henry legendary character legends, john henry legendary character, african americans folklore, folklore united states. Pinkney used pencil, colored pencil, and watercolors in his makings of the illustrations in this book.
Julius lesters uses of anthropomorphism and anachronism mark the story with his own distinctive flair as a skillful storyteller for contemporary children. Text dependent questions john henry by julius lester use the text to provide evidence to support your answers. John henry, by julius lester and illustrated by jerry pinkney, was recognized as a caldecott honor book in 1990. He grew so fast, he burst right through the porch roof, and laughed so loud, he scared the sun. Lester was also a civil rights activist, a photographer, and a musician who recorded two albums of folk music and original songs.
This quiz and worksheet gauge your understanding of who julius lester is and what he is known for. Pecos bill read aloud stories and tall tales for kids homeschool read alouds duration. You will be assessed on lesters interests, beliefs and writings. With regard to julius lesters 1994 john henry, it is in particular illustrator jerry pinkneys 1995 caldecott honour winning accompanying illustrations which i. Comprehension strategy lesson plans and practice pages. Newbery honor winner julius lester writes with such power that this africanamerican folk hero becomes as awesome as a natural phenomenon. A tall tale passage about john henry is included in this lesson. Day of tears by julius lester pdf free download ebook. But if john henry won, the boss wouldnt want the machine. Jerry pinkney received a caldecott honor for his exuberant, glowing watercolor paintings of the hero. The mythic railroad worker from the africanamerican oral tradition comes to life. To be a slave by julius lester, tom feelings, paperback. Julius lester and jerry pinkneys warm, humorous retelling of a popular africanamerican folk ballad. To be a slave was a newbery honor book, and john henry received a boston globehorn book award and a caldecott honor.
Information is provisions for those to get better life, information presently can get by anyone in everywhere. Julius lesters version of john henry describes a man who was a friend to wild animals, was stronger than any many alive, and who demonstrated an unstoppable courage that inspires readers. It can be used for whole group, small group, and independent instruction which makes these resources a smart choice for literacy centers or readers workshop. Get this book free when you sign up for a 30day trial. The story begins with a fantastical description of john henrys birth then moves on to outline the events of his life. Newbery honor winner julius lester writes with such power that this. In this cover illustration for the childrens book john henry, the legendary hero.
John henry by julius lester texas state library and archives. The information can be a expertise or any news even a concern. John henry caldecott honor book by lester, julius 1994. This may not supplant more traditional retellings, such as terry smalls the legend of john henry, but it is a triumph of collaboration from. John henry by julius lester, jerry pinkney, paperback. Figurative language in julius lester s john henry metaphor comparing two unlike things by saying that one thing is another thing onomatopoeia using words to represent sounds simile comparing two unlike things, using like or ask his voice sounded like bat wings on. John henry grows so tall so fast that he has to leave home to find other challenges. Students can complete activities to practice identifying metaphors and similes, and even create one of their own. Or maybe you heard about him but dont know the ins and outs of his comings and goings. Written by julius lester, audiobook narrated by sisi aisha johnson, lizan mitchell, marc d. Julius lester was born the son of a black methodist minister in the south. This set of lesson plans, resources, and activities is for use with john henry by julius lester.
The legend of john henry level m 11 12 john henry knew he had to beat the machine. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. Day of tears by julius lester in chm, djvu, epub download ebook. John henry is a 1994 childrens picture book by julius lester and illustrated by jerry pinkney. Julius lester came to childrens literature via harlem, folksinging, and the civil rights movement. I enjoyed the stories, but i enjoyed spending time with my grandmother in my grandparents library even more.