John Henry, an American Legend facts for kids
 |
|
| Author | Ezra Jack Keats |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Ezra Jack Keats |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's picture book |
|
Publication date
|
1965 |
| ISBN | 0-81-2459466 |
John Henry, an American Legend is a children's picture book written and illustrated by American author Ezra Jack Keats. It was published in 1965. This book tells the exciting story of John Henry, a strong and hardworking miner. He takes on a big challenge: to beat a powerful steam drill using only his 20-pound hammer.
The Book's Story
In the book, John Henry is a dedicated miner. He decides to compete against a new steam drill. John Henry uses a heavy 20-pound hammer for the contest. The winner of this challenge would receive 100 dollars and new clothes.
John Henry works incredibly hard during the competition. He uses all his strength and skill. In the end, John Henry wins the contest against the steam drill. However, the great effort takes a toll on him. He places his hammer on his chest and dies with honor. The story includes the famous line, "A man ain't nothin' but a man."
Disney's Version of the Legend
The story of John Henry was also retold in the Disney movie Disney's American Legends. In this version, John Henry was born into slavery. After he and his wife were freed by the Emancipation Proclamation, his wife made a special hammer for him. She had their old chains melted down and shaped into a 20-pound hammer.
John Henry used this hammer to join railroad workers. These workers were promised their own land if they finished building a railroad line. However, a steam drill arrived and began to replace the workers. This meant their contracts for land would no longer be valid.
John Henry then challenged the drill to a race. He wanted to see who could lay the rest of the tracks faster. If he won, the workers would still get their promised land. John Henry won the race, but the huge effort caused him to die. He passed away with his hammer still in his hand, just as he had told his wife he would. His wife later narrated the story to their child after John's death.
