A Man Named Thoreau

Burleigh, Robert

ISBN 10: 0689311222 ISBN 13: 9780689311222

Publisher: Atheneum, 1985

Synopsis

Captures the essence of Henry David Thoreau in words and pictures, touching on his personality, his reasons for going to Walden, his relationship with nature, and his life as a social critic

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 3-5 From the picture on the title pagea hand emerging from lush curling vines, thumb and forefinger extended gently around a confident snail with antennae also extendedthrough the opening quotation, "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. . . ," this is a book that unfolds new pleasures on every page. When people wondered why Thoreau led what seemed to be an aimless life, Burleigh tells children that he was indeed ". . .doing something. He was thinking. And he was observing. . . ." These phrases ring with greater importance each time they are read. Each double-page spread is composed of brief and cogent text faced with beautifully soft, smudgy drawings. The events of Thoreau's life, including his sojourn at Walden Pond, his writing about simple, nonmaterialistic living, his friendships with Emerson and Hawthorne and his protests against the Mexican War and the practice of slavery are treated concisely. Burleigh likens Thoreau's influence on contemporary philosophy to the planting of a small seed that grows into a great tree. A chronology of important dates in Thoreau's life and a bibliography are included. An exquisitely simple introduction to a difficult subject. Ruth Semrau, Lovejoy School Library, McKinney, Tex.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1985
• ISBN 10: 0689311222
• ISBN 13: 9780689311222
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 31