Henry "Box" Brown

  
     This book showcases how much history offers to explore with young children. There is a wealth of information that we want to share with the next generation. Its often hard to know where to start. Once we do start, what do we share? Can we share too much? Must some things be gaurded from young minds? These are difficult questions to answer, but author Ellen Levine and illustrator Kadi Nelson have answered them well in their handsomely crafted picture book Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad.
    Though many know Henry "Box" Brown's story, young readers are introduced to a young boy named Henry Brown. He works hard for his good master, but he is sold to the master's son who works him harder. While working for the new master, he meets Nancy who becomes his wife. Still working hard, Henry tries not to think about the possibility of loosing Nancy and their children. Sadly, Henry's wife and children are sold and taken away. While missing his family, Henry gets an idea about how he can be free. With help from a trusted friend, Dr. Smith, he ships himself in a crate to Pennsylvannia.
      History tells us what he did once he got out of that crate, but what draws me to this picture book is how easily young minds can relate to Henry Brown. Henry "Box" Brown is a man who mailed himself to freedom. Henry Brown was a young child just like today's young reader. Imagine the young reader placing themselves in Henry Brown's shoes as they read about his thoughts and feelings in Levine's well-written text. They might wonder how they would feel if they had to work hard in a factory. They might imagine the pain of not being with their own family.
     As they ponder Nelson's illustrations, they'll literally see the darkness that hung over Henry Brown every day when he was a slave. They will also see the brightness of the day he became a free man. Through words and illustrations, they'll learn much about the life of a slave. They'll see the demeaning way others looked at Henry. They'll see how he dressed and worked. They'll even see the pain in his face as he struggles to become free.
     Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad is a wonderful resource to consider when introducing the concept of slavery to young children. The story allows young readers to connect with the heart-breaking experiences of a young enslaved boy and rejoice in the hope that helped make him free. Read this one aloud!