Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: A blog about books. January 12, 2012

Magritte searches for his hat.

What I’m Doing at Kirkus This Week, Plus What I Did Last Week, Featuring R. Gregory Christie and D.B. Johnson

by jules

In last week’s column, I took a look at some illustrated books I’m eager to see in 2012. One of those books mentioned was D.B. Johnson’s Magritte’s Marvelous Hat. (An illustration from that opens this post.) Even though it’s scheduled to be released in April by Houghton Mifflin (yikes, sorry I’m posting this so early — I just get excited), I was able to see an F & G of the book. And then I contacted Don about sharing some art and early sketches from it. READ MORE»

books4yourkids.com December 6, 2011

Cover of Henry Hikes to Fitchburg
Illustration: D. B. Johnson

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg

written and illustrated by DB Johnson

A Blog by Tanya

I believe that reading the right book can be a transformative experience. As a mother, bookseller and ardent reader of children's literature, I want to help kids start their reading journey on the right path...I usually work Saturdays, but when I have the day off I make sure to listen to Weekend Edition on NPR where children's (and adult) author Daniel Pinkwater joins Scott Simon to read a picture book. Back in February of 2000, they read DB Johnson's Henry Hikes to Fitchburg and I knew I had to have it. READ MORE»

BOSTONIA Winter–Spring 2011

Author/Illustrator D. B. Johnson in his studio
Photo: Melody Komyerov

Picture-Perfect Children’s Reading

Children’s author–illustrator D. B. Johnson (CAS’66) inspired by Thoreau, Zinn
Story by Rich Barlow, Slideshow by Melody Komyerov

Among Howard Zinn’s lesser-known achievements was inspiring the creation of a talking bear that teaches children the virtues of simple living. Really.

The bear, aptly named Henry, is based on Henry David Thoreau. Zinn, the late political activist and College of Arts & Sciences professor of political science, introduced Thoreau to D. B. Johnson (CAS’66) when he was a student. Three decades after graduating, his career... READ MORE»

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast: A blog about books. March 30, 2009

Henry the bear in jail
Illustration: D. B. Johnson

Seven Questions Over Breakfast
with D.B. Johnson

by jules

Here is one of my all-time favorite picture book characters in all the universe. Do you know him, too?

He showed up in 2000, brought to life by author/illustrator D.B. Johnson and his story, Henry Hikes to Fitchburg (Houghton Mifflin)—the first of many Henry stories, we came... READ MORE»