Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, this tale follows two friends to Fitchburg, each with his own approach as to how to get there. Fitchburg is 30 miles away, and while Henry’s friend opts to work all day to earn train fare, Henry chooses to walk. Playful pictures follow the friends’ activities throughout the day:

“Henry’s friend cleaned out Mrs. Thoreau’s chicken house. 10 cents. Henry crossed a swamp and found a bird’s nest in the grass. 12 miles to Fitchburg.”

A delightful story on its own, this is also an opportunity to introduce Thoreau — with the help of biographical text at the back of the book.