Find Similar Books | Similar Books Like Find Similar Books

Books like John Henry by Jerry Pinkney


John Henry tells the story of the legendary 19th‑century African American hero who challenged a steam drill in a dramatic contest of strength and will. In this retelling, Jerry Pinkney combines compelling narrative with striking illustrations that bring the folklore legend to life for a contemporary juvenile audience.
First publish date: 1994
Genre: Children's Fiction/Picture Books
Authors: Jerry Pinkney
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5.0 (2 community ratings)

All books by Jerry Pinkney
John Henry by Jerry Pinkney

How are these books recommended?

The books recommended for John Henry by Jerry Pinkney are shaped by reader interaction. Votes on how closely books relate, user ratings, and community comments all help refine these recommendations and highlight books readers genuinely find similar in theme, ideas, and overall reading experience.

Have you read any of these books?
Your votes, ratings, and comments help improve recommendations and make it easier for other readers to discover books they’ll enjoy.

Books similar to John Henry (14 similar books)

The talking eggs by 7023746|Robert D. San Souci book cover

📘 The talking eggs
 by Robert D. San Souci

A Southern folktale about a kind woman who follows an old witch’s instructions to earn riches, while her greedy sister faces a moral fate.

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.5 (2 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like The talking eggs
Tar Beach by 6555714|Faith Ringgold book cover

📘 Tar Beach
 by Faith Ringgold

Eight‑year‑old Cassie Louise Lightfoot dreams of freedom in 1939 Harlem. One night she climbs to the rooftop of her apartment, the "Tar Beach," and is carried above the city, claiming the skyline as her own in a story that blends history, folklore, and imaginative flight.

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Tar Beach
Wiley and the Hairy Man by 6450735|Judy Sierra book cover

📘 Wiley and the Hairy Man
 by Judy Sierra

Wiley, with his mother’s help, cleverly outwits the conjuring Hairy Man who haunts the swamp near their home.

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Wiley and the Hairy Man
Paul Bunyan, a tall tale by 7621899|Steven Kellogg book cover

📘 Paul Bunyan, a tall tale
 by Steven Kellogg

A lively retelling of the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan, whose prodigious size and strength spark a series of fantastical adventures.

★★★★★★★★★★ 3.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Paul Bunyan, a tall tale
The People Could Fly by 6363849|Virginia Hamilton book cover

📘 The People Could Fly
 by Virginia Hamilton

Virginia Hamilton retells 24 authentic African‑American folk tales—from animal stories to supernatural adventures and slave‑era memories—in vivid prose, illustrated by 40 expressive paintings.

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like The People Could Fly
Nights with Uncle Remus by 7481702|Joel Chandler Harris book cover

📘 Nights with Uncle Remus
 by Joel Chandler Harris

A collection of sixteen Brer Rabbit tales, told by Uncle Remus to the grandson of his master, capturing African American folklore from the Southern United States.

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Nights with Uncle Remus
Hoodoo by 11879355|Ronald L. Smith book cover

📘 Hoodoo
 by Ronald L. Smith

A supernatural Southern Gothic tale for middle‑grade readers set in Alabama, blending history, family life, and magic in a vivid, country setting.

★★★★★★★★★★ 5.0 (1 rating)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Hoodoo
John Henry by 6117508|Roark Bradford book cover

📘 John Henry
 by Roark Bradford


★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like John Henry
John Henry by 6223563|Stephen Krensky book cover

📘 John Henry
 by Stephen Krensky

A spirited retelling of the African-American folk hero John Henry, a legendary railroad worker famed for his towering strength and indomitable spirit, now brought to life for young readers.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like John Henry
Heart and Soul by 6950732|Kadir Nelson book cover

📘 Heart and Soul
 by Kadir Nelson


★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Heart and Soul
John Henry by 11475028|Ezra Jack Keats book cover

📘 John Henry
 by Ezra Jack Keats

The story of John Henry, the legendary steel‑driving hero, told through his life and enduring legacy as a symbol of strength and perseverance.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like John Henry
A ring of tricksters by 6363849|Virginia Hamilton book cover

📘 A ring of tricksters
 by Virginia Hamilton

A collection of twelve trickster tales illustrating how African folklore traveled to America through the West Indies.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like A ring of tricksters
Bigmama's by 6328085|Donald Crews book cover

📘 Bigmama's
 by Donald Crews

Donald Crews visits his relatives in Bigmama’s rural home, discovering familiar family stories and the unchanged country landscape.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Bigmama's
Freedom's a-callin me by 7054760|Ntozake Shange book cover

📘 Freedom's a-callin me
 by Ntozake Shange

A poetic journey through the Underground Railroad and the pursuit of freedom for African Americans.

★★★★★★★★★★ 0.0 (0 ratings)
Similar? ✓ Yes 0 ✗ No 0
Books like Freedom's a-callin me

Some Other Similar Books

Bringing the Rain to the Kapiti Plain by Linda Sue Park
The Patchwork Quilt by quilt and text by Jerry Pinkney
The People Could Fly: The Folk Histories and Fairy Tales of the African American Craft by Virginia Hamilton
Sweet Potato Pie by Kathryn Apel
The First Ride of the Pony Express by Russell Freedman
Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport
The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by N.C. Wyeth
Freedom River by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Have a similar book in mind? Let others know!

Please login to submit books!