John Henry
illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, written by Julius Lester, and published by Dial
About
Pinkney's earthy, craggy pencil and watercolor illustrations capture both the power and the humanity of the African-American folk hero. Masterful use of light and shadow portray the strength and mass of the Allegheny Mountains, which match the magnitude of John Henry, while delicate shading and mottled color suggest the detail of a realistic natural setting enlivened with touches of whimsy.