Johnny Appleseed
Perhaps even more intriguing than the mighty imaginary figures of American folklore are the ones based on real people, who have a true life behind the stories. Johnny Appleseed's tale begs the questions: 'Did he truly walk all about America, tossing apple seeds freely about the land?' and perhaps more curiously, 'Did he really wear a pot on his head?'
But the reality does not disappoint. Appleseed, born John Chapman, did wear a pot on his head, and though he didn't gratuitously cast seeds onto anyone's land, he created nurseries of apple trees around the country and did not mind when customers couldn't pay for trees they bought on credit. He was probably too busy to collect, wandering the land more than any other businesspeople of his time, giving to charity, promoting the virtue of apples, and extolling peace between all things human and animal.
So when you're driving by an apple orchard in the Midwest of America, be glad to know that it is the heir of a tree planted by a genuine and stirring figure. These books introduce an important symbolic story to children. They variously tell the truth and the fiction of Johnny Appleseed.
Browse through this feature and those from previous years to discover more.
Contributor: Brendan Frost
Reviews
The American Story: 100 True Tales from American History
Jennifer Armstrong
Illustrated by Roger Roth
History is first and foremost a story. This personal selection of 100 events in U.S. history has been retold by a master storyteller with drama, variety, and an engaging narrative voice. Topics from the Spanish sacking of the first permanent French settlement in Florida in 1565 to the Supreme Court's settlement of the disputed U.S. election in 2000 are brought to life in three or four pages and illustrated with lively pencil and watercolor illustrations. Topics mentioned in earlier stories recur, and the back matter includes a list of story arcs, from the obvious like "Crossing the Continent," "Religion," "Native Americans," to the surprising like "Bananas," "Cuba," or "Crime." Four pages of bibliography include a list of particularly useful and reliable Internet resources, and there is an extensive index as well. At times this veers toward being collection of American myths rather than American history, in spite of the subtitle "true tales." Sometimes the author is up front about that, as in her explanation about the Pocahontas story, or her description of Johnny Appleseed as not quite the man of the tall tales. But sometimes she includes mythology as fact: retelling the story of Banneker's reproduction of L'Enfant's plan for Washington although in fact he had left the city before L'Enfant, and ignoring the careful planning of civil rights workers, including Rosa Parks herself, that led to the moment she chose not to give up her bus seat in 1955. Still, this is an excellent read, an enticing invitation to find out more. 2006, Alfred A. Knopf, $34.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Kathleen Isaacs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-81256-9
ISBN: 0-375-81256-3
Johnny Appleseed
Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Jim Burke
Jane Yolen has captured the heart and soul of a favorite legendary hero. Through lyrical prose, she outlines his life and adventures. Jim Burke’s paintings add a heartwarming and endearing quality as Johnny’s adventurous life unfolds. One-line facts are included at the bottom of each page for interest and clarification. This will satisfy the curiosity, both visually and mentally, of students and teachers alike, pertaining to John Chapman, the man who changed the landscape of America. I think this book would be great for a biographical study and for separating legend from fact. Students could write similar poetic versions of a famous person’s life using biographical facts that they have researched. Category: Biography. 2008, HarperCollins, $17.89. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Kelly DeAntonis (Kutztown University Book Review, Spring 2009).
ISBN: 9780060591359
ISBN: 0060591358
ISBN: 9780060591366
ISBN: 0060591366
Johnny Appleseed
Jodie Shepherd
Illustrated by Masumi Furukawa
This colorfully illustrated book uses simple language to tell about Johnny “Appleseed” Chapman. Unlike other narratives, this one begins with Johnny Appleseed’s birth and family, packing much information about the man himself rather than his apple trees into easy-to-read language. Telling not only of Johnny Appleseed but also being grateful for and happy with what you have, this book educates as it entertains. While the words are appropriate for an easy reader, the sentences are long and often compound, which detracts from the reading level, leading the book to be classified as a picture book. The muted colors and whimsical nature of the images, while still approximating life-like, brings a sense of peace and contentment, just as Johnny Appleseed found for himself and others. This book is good for ecology and environmental lessons, sharing lessons, and for the quiet child who prefers to do things in his or her own manner rather than as part of the group. 2010, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Sara Rofofsky Marcus (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-545-22306-5
Johnny Appleseed
Retold by Bill Balcziak
Illustrated by Jason Millet
Johnny Appleseed, part legend and part history, was a real man who lived in the 1700s. Born in Massachusetts under the name of John Chapman, he became restless to see more and go beyond the territory that he knew. Therefore, he set out by himself on a journey west. Along the way, he grew to appreciate the apple tree and began planting it everywhere. Pretty soon, he became known as Johnny Appleseed by the many settlers he met who were heading west to make a claim on the free land that the government was offering. These same settlers began to tell stories about Johnny, many of which became tall tales, and it was not long before the lines between fact and fiction became blurred. In this retelling of the popular story, Bill Balcziak attempts to provide a picture of what is true about Johnny Appleseed and what is myth. In this addition to the "Tall Tale" series, he also captures a pivotal time in our nation's history and the part this explorer played in it. Packed with an apple muffin recipe, a glossary of terms, facts, Web sites, and a bibliography, this book provides an entertaining and educating look at this fascinating character. 2003, Compass Point Books, $16.95. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Sheree Van Vreede (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7565-0458-8
ISBN: 0-7565-0458-9
Johnny Appleseed
Lola M. Schaefer
In the late 1700s John Chapman left his Massachusetts home and traveled west to explore the American frontier. He had discovered that apples were a hardy food that would last throughout the winter, so he grew apple trees from seeds. He replanted some of the trees and gave and sold apple trees to other settlers. This man's singular devotion to the apple earned him the nickname of Johnny Appleseed and planted him firmly in the history books. This book, which is part of the appropriately named "First Biographies" series, gives beginning readers a good taste of Johnny Appleseed's life. It starts with his birth in Massachusetts and describes his travels west, including his sojourns in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana. It ends with his death in Indiana in 1845. Chapman is depicted as a helpful soul; in addition to teaching other settlers how to grow apples, he also read to them and told apple-related tales. Numerous photos and illustrations bring the book to life. A simple timeline runs across the bottom of each page. The book also includes a glossary, a suggested book list, a source for Internet sites, and an index/word list. Although much more could be written about Chapman's life, this book is a good start for young readers. 2003, Pebble Books/Capstone Press, $14.60. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Robbin Gould (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-1645-8
ISBN: 0-7368-1645-3
Johnny Appleseed
Christin Ditchfield
These short "Rookie Biographies" are perfect for emergent readers. They feature people in the news as well as famous men and women of the past. Johnny Appleseed sounds like a fictional character, but he was a real person. In 1774, John Chapman was born in a log cabin in Massachusetts. As a young boy he spent a lot of time alone and communing with nature. He traveled west to the Ohio Valley and along the way he planted apple seeds. When settlers arrived they found trees with wonderful fruit and they also had Johhny Appleseed, as he was known, around to teach them how to plant and care for the trees and to read to them from the Bible. Kids loved his stories and he in turn seemed to love everything around him. He knew about herbs and helped those who were ill with his folk remedies. He spent fifty years on his mission of planting apple seeds and died at what was then the ripe old age of seventy. Since there were no photographs at that time, the book is illustrated with reproductions of engravings, woodland scenes, pictures of commemorative statues, some original artwork and pictures of contemporary kids enjoying apples. There is a pictorial words to know section at the end of the text, an index and a brief blurb about the author. While the book is a perpetuation of a story that is fairly well known, it does not address what compelled John Chapman to undertake this mission, the complexity of the text is appropriate for the targeted audience. 2003, Children's Press, $19.00. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-516-22853-2
ISBN: 0-516-22853-6
Johnny Appleseed: A Retelling of the Classic Tall Tale
Eric Blair
Illustrated by Amy Bailey Muehlenhardt
Author Eric Blair tells the tale of the boy who grew into a man and sprinkled apple seeds on his travels from the East Coast to the West. Blair begins the story of Johnny Appleseed as a young boy picking apples from an apple tree because he loved apples and apple trees. The reader can almost smell and taste apples as Johnny smells and takes a bite out of a juicy apple. When Johnny grows older, he begins to travel around the country with a cooking pot on his head and a sack of apple seeds around his neck. Johnny's mission is to plant seeds in good places so everyone can enjoy apples. His trees grow big and strong. Johnny makes friends with animals and people as he travels around the country. He is a good story teller and has lots of tales to tell. The years pass by and Johnny Appleseed grows old, but he still travels to far-off places wearing his cooking pot hat and planting apple seeds so that others can enjoy the taste of a juicy, red apple. Johnny Appleseed is a thirty-two-page picture book illustrated with bright colorful pictures. The language is easy with only one, two, or three sentences per page. Author Blair has written an entertaining book for a beginning reader. 2005, Picture Window Books, $18.60. Ages 6 to 8. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4048-0971-0
ISBN: 1-4048-0971-6
Johnny Appleseed: My Story
David L. Harrison
Illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka
As befits a hero of American folklore, here Johnny Appleseed's life is presented in the form of a tale told to an eager family he visits in his travels. Asked for a story, Johnny shares with two rapt children his own childhood in the woods, his barefoot journeying, an adventure in a snowstorm, his long career selling apple tree sprouts to settlers, and various legends that are told about him. The book ends with Papa telling Johnny, "You look like a happy man," and Johnny agreeing, "I am a happy man. I have spent my life raising apple tree sprouts." As presented, John Chapman's simple life of sharing apples with others does seem a happy one, indeed. Although the text is marred by an over-abundance of exclamation marks (sometimes several to a page), the narration is direct and engaging, and the accompanying art is colorful and appealing. 2001, Random House, $11.99 and $3.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Claudia Mills, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-375-81247-7
ISBN: 0-375-81247-4
Johnny Appleseed: Select Good Seeds and Plant Them in Good Ground
Richard Worth
Part of the “Americans: The Spirit of a Nation” series, this is a very informative and useful reference for the middle grades to learn about legendary John Chapman. At times dry with all the facts and figures gathered by the author, it is nonetheless a readable book and does a good job of giving the flavor of Chapman’s surroundings. Born at the time of the American Revolution, John Chapman literally grew with the nation and became part of the westward movement. He was not the only nurseryman in this movement, but he was unique in his style and outlook. He preferred old, comfortable clothing and bare feet even in the winter, liked to sleep on the floor in front of the stove, and believed in gentleness with all living things. This gentleness extended to wasps, mosquitoes, and rattlesnakes and meant that he would rather plant seeds than use grafting, a process he considered to be violence against the tree. Add a little self-promotion and preaching and the reader can understand how the Johnny Appleseed legend developed. Included are numerous illustrations and sidebars, a table of contents, facts about apples, a chronology, footnotes, a glossary, book and Internet references, and an index. 2010, Enslow Publishers, $31.93. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Sue Poduska (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780766033528
ISBN: 076603352X
Johnny Appleseed and Other American Legends
Melody Warnick
Read by Tavia Gilbert and Stephen McLaughlin
Meet three Americans who were rooted in the westward expansion of the American continent whose stories have made them legends. In straightforward narration, each storyteller delves beyond the usual biographical details of Johnny Appleseed, traveling sower of apple seedlings; Sacagawea, Native American guide to the Lewis and Clark Expedition; and John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club. Sympathetic narration expresses the care that Appleseed John gave to both animals and apples, the delight that the foreigner Muir found in the American landscape, and the loyalty and mystery surrounding Sacagawea. PlainTales' mission is to bring classic literature to families for shared listening and discussion--and with this production it does so very well. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine 2008 (Orig. 2009), PlainTales Inc., One CDs, $12.95. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Ann Ritchie (Audiofile, July 2009).
ISBN: 9780982028254
ISBN: 0982028253
The Sun, the Rain, and the Apple Seed: A Novel of Johnny Appleseed's Life
Lynda Durrant
In 1783, John Chapman learned the power of apple seeds. His ne'er-do-well father planted seeds around their cabin; once the trees grew and bore fruit, the impoverished family was able to feed itself. As a young adult, seeing seeds being discarded at an apple cider mill in southwestern Pennsylvania, Chapman was appalled by the waste. Thoughtful contemplation led him to the conclusion that this was his calling from God: to travel the land sowing apple seeds and planting orchards. For the next fifty-five years, that is exactly what John Chapman (a.k.a. Johnny Appleseed) did, across an area of the United States from Iowa to Massachusetts. He believed that his trees would lead to peace and prosperity among all people. Legendary character Johnny Appleseed is made real in this thought-provoking fictionalized biography. Lynda Durrant examines the experiences and thoughts of the remarkable man from his youth to his death, with special consideration for the religious context of his convictions and activities. Information about Durrant's research can be found in the afterword and the accompanying list of sources. 2003, Clarion, $15.00. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-618-23487-5
ISBN: 0-618-23487-X
An Apple A Day....
Apple Countdown
Joan Holub
Illustrated by Jan Smith
A young classroom prepares for a field trip to an orchard. Short, rhyming text counts down from twenty, as the children find nametags, get on the bus, count the miles, and arrive at Applebee Farm. A diminutive train takes the children on a ride through different apple varieties in the orchard to the location where the children pick their own apples. Numerous learning opportunities combine counting with facts about apples and the farm environment. The rhymes continue in the illustrations of the seasons, the apple growing cycle, and the discussion of different apple products. The illustrations’ use of clean, bright colors and the descriptive clothing and accessories give each child a distinct personality while also echoing the organic shape and the solid, bold color of apples. The number described in text on each two-page spread is also written on a red apple in the upper lefthand side of each spread. The end papers list apple-related facts, such as apple products, varieties of apples, and where apples grow. This book would be fun to use in elementary counting lessons or as an aid for learning basic math, botany, and agribusiness facts in pre-school or early elementary classrooms. 2009, Albert Whitman & Company, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Hazel Buys (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780807503980
ISBN: 0807503983
Applesauce Season
Eden Ross Lipson
Our narrator relates his delight at the arrival of applesauce season. Living in the city, the family purchases apples in the farmers’ market, reveling in the many varieties available there. With his mother and grandmother, he goes step by step through making a pot of the sauce, from the cutting to the cooking, the grinding in the food mill, and the seasoning. It is the main character’s dad who uses the applesauce, making something to go with it (e.g., pancakes) or using it to make something else (e.g., apple cake). The whole family celebrates many different kinds of applesauce until the season is over. The final choice, between applesauce and apple pie, however, remains up in the air. Gerstein’s sketchy, lively ink-and-mixed-media illustrations of the process add verve to what might have been an unexciting sequence. Scenes vary in size and contextual details, but each is consistently full of happy family togetherness with perhaps a touch of nostalgia. Appetites may be further stimulated by the varieties of apples depicted with the characters on the end pages, as well as the included recipe. 2009, Roaring Brook Press/Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership, $17.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781596432161
ISBN: 1596432160
From Seed to Apple Tree: Following the Life Cycle
Suzanne Slade
Illustrated by Jeff Yesh
After explaining that there are more than a thousand types of apples, the text focuses specifically on the life cycle of a Golden Delicious apple tree. The tree starts as a seed that puts down roots and grows into a shoot, then a seedling, then a sapling, and finally a full grown tree ready to produce apples. Apple blossoms, the need for pollination, and the role of bees in the process are discussed, as is the maturation of the bud to an apple. It takes an apple tree about five years from the planting of the seed to the production of apples. Apple trees usually live for about a hundred years. The pages are filled with colorful illustrations and diagrams that complement the text and aid in understanding. An inset box with a concise fact appears on each double-page spread. The book includes a “Table of Contents,” a diagram of the stages of tree growth, a glossary, a bibliography, and an index. Appropriate for young researchers. Part of the “Amazing Science: Life Cycles” series. 2009, Picture Window Books, $25.32. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781404851597
ISBN: 1404851593
Tucker's Apple-Dandy Day
Susan Winget
Tucker and his classmates are going to Farmer Sam's orchard to pick apples. He is very excited because he wants to collect apples so his Mom can make an apple pie. When they get to the orchard Farmer Sam drives them out to the apple trees on a wagon pulled by a tractor. Tuckers friends all ran off to pick apples but Tucker stays behind to look at the tractor. He then helps his friend Millie pick apples because she is short and she can't reach the tree. Tucker helps her stand on a box and holds her hand while she picks apples. He helps Scout and Beverly as well. All of a sudden it begins to rain. Just as Tucker is reaching for his first apple the teacher tells the students they have to leave the orchard because of the rain. In Farmer Sam's barn they count their apples. Tucker does not have any. All of the friends Tucker helped give him some of their apples. Now he has enough so his Mom to make an apple pie. Tucker helps his Mom make the apple pie, but he sure does not need any help eating it. 2006, HarperCollins, $12.99. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-054646-5
ISBN: 0-06-054646-8
The Life Cycle of An Apple Tree
Linda Tagliaferro
Capstone's "Plant Life Cycles" series is intended to provide early readers with access to information about the life cycles of members of the apple and bean families, gymnosperm and angiosperm trees, root vegetables, and flowering plants of North America. The books have a simple text and large color photographs illustrating seeds, sprouts, flowers, fruits, and mature trees or plants. The pictures in all of the books are attractive and illustrative of the text opposite. That said, the photos selected to illustrate stages in the cycles are not always of the same species or variety, which is sometimes disturbing. The textures in the apple tree illustrations are so vivid they might well be used to illustrate this art element; for example, the fibrous look of the sliced apple, the fuzziness of just-developing apples, the popcorn texture of the blossoming tree, and the shiny smoothness of the fruit. Although there are countless varieties of apples available in markets, only one fruit (the red, white-speckled Rome Beauty) is represented here, and it is unclear whether the pictured springtime tree is a Rome Beauty or not. Teachers and parents may want to stress to budding scientists that apple trees come in many different varieties and that they are most often grown from cuttings rather than from seeds. Still, extra-wide pictures make the book useful for science read-alouds, while the brief text should be easily read by primary students with beginning skills. The glossary is helpful; three additional books are suggested for further reading. 2007, Capstone/Pebble Plus, $19.93. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7368-6709-2
ISBN: 0-7368-6709-0
Apples
Jacqueline Farmer
Illustrated by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes
This nonfiction picture book is crammed full of fascinating facts about apples. From the apple's growth process, varieties, and apple cider, all the way to apple history, this text covers it all. Each section details the pertinent information for the topic in depth, using language that progresses from complex to scientific as each topic is examined. The sections, although lengthy, are filled from start to finish with information to broaden the listener's knowledge. An especially interesting section is Apple History, which details how people have viewed and used apples from the time of the Greeks to the explorers on the Mayflower. This section also details the apple's importance in folklore and stories. The author did not stop with facts and figures; she provides the reader with apple recipes, apple facts, and records, as well as a list of resources for further information gathering. This book would be an excellent resource for your third grader and up when developing a topical report for school. This would also be an excellent resource for learning facts prior to a school field trip to an orchard. 2007, Charlesbridge, $6.95. Ages 9 up. Reviewer: Kimberly O'Meara (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-5709-1694-6
ISBN: 1-5709-1694-2
The Apple Doll
Elisa Kleven
Little Lizzy loves her apple tree. It is her favorite place to be every season of the year. When she starts school for the first time she brings an apple with a twig body that she names Susanna to be her special friend. The other children tease her and her teacher says toys must remain at home. Her sister reminds her that the apple will not last forever. Lizzy comes up with the idea to dry the apple and then gives the wizened apple a pipe cleaner body, cotton hair, and a new wardrobe. Susanna now resembles a wise old woman. At sharing day, Lizzy's doll is a hit and all the children clamor to make one just like it. Lizzy is not lonely anymore. She has a circle of dried apple dolls as well as real live friends to share her special tree. This quaint old-fashioned story will have limited appeal. Quiet and charming with soft watercolor illustrations, it might have potential use in a fall unit about apples or following a visit to an apple farm. Directions for making an apple doll are included and would make a good follow-up field trip activity. 2007, Farrar, $16.00. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-374-30380-0
ISBN: 978-0-374-30380-8
Apple Harvest
Calvin Harris
One of six in the "All About Fall" series, this colorful book uses large photos, minimum text, and repetition of words and phrases to support emergent readers. The story discusses the harvest of apples in fall and some of the ways we use apples. Is their anything tastier than a ripe crunchy apple, perhaps baked apples with honey or maple syrup, or perhaps a warm apple pie? The notion that apples are sorted by "flavor" rather than kind seems odd, since it suggests apples are tasted then sorted, but perhaps young children will not notice. The book supports National Science Foundation standards for early elementary students earth and life science studies. A glossary, an index, word count, and sources for further study plus safe Internet sites are included. 2008, Capstone Press/Coughlan Publishing Co, $19.93. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4296-0023-1
ISBN: 1-4296-0023-3
Max and Mo Go Apple Picking
Patricia Lakin
Illustrated by Brian Floc
Max and Mo are two little hamsters who live in a cage in a school room. They have plenty of food to eat because the children feed them lots of corn. But Max and Mo are getting tired of eating corn, so they make signs that read "New Food." But no one pays any attention to them. Then, Mo reads a sign that says, "We went apple picking. Get ready for applesauce." Max and Mo are happy that they will get some new food. They climb out of their cage and go to find the applesauce. They hide under a table and watch the cooking and cutting of the apples. When some apple bits fall to the floor, Max runs out, with near-tragic consequences. Later, when the room is empty, Max and Mo feast on the leftovers. When cutting an apple in half, they drop one half into some paint. They lift it out and onto a piece of white paper, making an apple print. Soon they are making lots of prints in different colors. So, they make another sign that reads: "Apple Picking is Fun!" This is a fun and easy book for beginning readers. Includes directions for making apple prints and applesauce. The illustrations are colorful and delightful. 2007, Aladdin Paperbacks, $3.95. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi (Children's Literature)
ISBN: 978-1-4169-2536-1
ISBN: 1-4169-2536-8
Added 08/16/10
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