Henry & Leo Henry & Leo question


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What do the crowns represent?
Nancy Nancy Nov 07, 2016 07:35PM
I loved the story but wasn't sure that I understood the crowns throughout the artwork. Why do you think they are included, and what do they represent? Or are they purely ornamental?



I have noticed many questions about the crowns in Henry and Leo.
There is in fact a method to my madness. I imagined "Henry and Leo" much like a dream. Our dreams are both "real" and "unreal" simultaneously.
What if the entire story from start to finish is Henry's dream? Or perhaps we assume just the middle lush woods section where Leo comes to life is Henry's dream. What is real? We make so many assumptions about what we know to be true. In dreams we unconsciously combine elements of our daily outer life experiences with our inner imagined life. If you look closely- everyone wears a different crown...The Bear has the same crown as the Father. (The Father carries Henry home on his shoulders and the Bear carries Leo home.) The mother and the fox have the same crown. The sister with her ponytails and the rabbit have the same crown. Henry has the same crown as Leo, but Leo only wears the crown in the woods alone - because Leo is in fact Henry. It is very subtle I understand that...but I want people to question and wonder. But for me it was all about bringing elements of family walking in the woods into Henry's dream. Henry's other toys also mirror the animals chosen in the woods. Leo's life comes from Henry's love. For me crowns represent the "spirit of things" - the higher power in things and so yes-I often use crowns. Hope this helps! Pamela Zagarenski

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Manybooks Yes, the exlplainations really do help a lot.
Jan 03, 2017 02:20PM
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Mischenko My kids and I pondered the crowns as well. One stated that they were like halos :) It was one of their favorite elements of the book! We love it. Wond ...more
Feb 01, 2017 11:41AM

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