Based on a true story and told in rhyme, Karyn Parsons' fanciful tale about a slave escaping to the North in a wooden crate, is about hope and the human spirit, with a lesson about the meaning of freedom deftly woven throughout. As Henry Box Brown is helped along the way by new friend—a blue bird, a cricket, a cat and a horse, noted actress Alfre Woodard, adds her own narrative warmth; the simply animated illustrations by graphic artist Mark Page add to the story's charm. The modest extras in this Sweet Blackberry production, include some facts about the real Henry Box Brown, who spent 27 hours and traveled 300 miles in a 3x2x2-foot box.