Of Walden Pond - by Lesa Cline-Ransome

About the Book

"The story of Henry David Thoreau's time at Walden Pond is contrasted with businessman Frederic Tudor's scheme to cut 180 tons of ice from Walden Pond and transport it to India"--

Book Synopsis

From the award-winning author of Before She Was Harriet comes another work of lyrical beauty, the story of Henry David Thoreau and businessman Frederic Tudor--and a changing world.

Thoreau and Tudor could not have been more different from each other. Yet both shared the bounties of Walden Pond and would change the course of history through their writings and innovations.

This study in opposites contrasts the austere philosopher with the consummate capitalist (whose innovations would change commercial ice harvesting and home refrigerators) to show how two seemingly conflicting American legacies could be built side by side.

Oddball/ tax dodger/ nature lover/ dreamer/ That's what they called/ Thoreau.
Bankrupt/ disgrace/ good for nothing/ dreamer/ That's what they called/ Tudor.

Celebrated author Lesa Cline-Ransome takes her magnificent talent for research and detail to plumb the depths of these two history-makers. The graceful text is paired with Ashley Benham-Yazdani's period accurate watercolor and pencil artwork. In winter, readers see Tudor's men sawing through the ice, the workhorses dragging the ice, and Thoreau observing it all; in spring, summer, and fall, the ice continues its journey across the globe with Thoreau and Tudor writing and reflecting in their respective diaries.

An Author's Note, which explores how Thoreau's writings influenced such figures as Martin Luther King Jr., Robert Frost, and Mohandas Gandhi, is included.

Review Quotes

"The artwork abounds with intriguing details. . . . A volume that invites readers to view Walden as 'an inspiration for Thoreau/ a harvest for Tudor/ a bounty for both.'"--Publishers Weekly

"Cline-Ransome introduces both men and their connections to Walden Pond through poetic text that spans the seasons. . . . Beautifully illustrated. . . ."--Booklist

"Cline-Ransome adroitly uses parallel phrasing to underscore the differences and similarities linking these men, whose public images radically evolved. . . . Yazdani expertly ­depicts ice-cutting, storage, and shipping, using bold compositions and perspectives. . . . This unusual and ­striking double portrayal will appeal to nascent nature-lovers and embryo entrepreneurs."--School Library Journal

"The colorful illustrations articulate the story and are further complemented by the placement of the text on the page. Reminiscent of poetry arrangements, the composition of each page builds the story and engages the reader to want to learn more."--School Library Connection

"Grist for thoughtful readers. . . ."--Kirkus Reviews

About the Author

Lesa Cline-Ransome is the author of more than twenty books for young readers including the award-winning Finding Langston trilogy. Her work has received a plethora of honors, including dozens of starred reviews, NAACP Image Award nominations, a Coretta Scott King honor, the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction and a Christopher Award. Her work has been named to ALA Notable Books and Bank Street Best Children's Book lists and she lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York.

Ashley Benham-Yazdani is a picture book author and illustrator. Her debut, A Green Place to Be: The Creation of Central Park, received a Golden Kite Award and was called "mesmerizing" by the New York Times Book Review. She lives in Minneapolis with her husband and son.