When you see a beautiful apple tree blooming in the Mid-West, you might stop and wonder if this was one of the famous trees planted by the legendary John Chapman better know as Johnny Appleseed. The following books provide fact and fiction about this amazing man.
Folks Call Me Appleseed John
Andrew Glass
Although Johnny Appleseed, or John Chapman, was a historical person, many legends
and tall tales have grown up about his life and deeds. This colorful picture book, written in the
first person from John's point of view, definitely leans toward the fantastic as it recounts some
of the trials and adventures experienced by his younger half brother, Nathaniel, who spends a rough
winter with John in his hollow tree home. The humorous, active oil paintings match the lively, folksy
text very well. A long author's note provides fascinating information on the facts of Chapman's life.
Endpaper maps are included. 1995, Doubleday,
$15.95. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan
Johnny Appleseed: My Story
David L. Harrison
Illustrations 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. Reviewer: Claudia Mills
 Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend
Will Moses
Born in Massachusetts in 1774, the legendary John Chapman was always happiest
living off the land beyond the edge of civilization. After a vision in which angels showed him
"a shimmering, heavenly community surrounded by beautiful apple trees," he began collecting bags
and buckets of apple seeds. At first he used the seeds as trade goods, then began distributing his
apple seedlings to poor families and eventually kept moving west, planting trees as he went. Tall
tales about his eccentricities rose up among the pioneers, but his love of animals, his generosity,
and his strong spirituality were extolled, as well. Although he lived for a while with his sister
and her large family, most of his time was spent wandering and starting orchards. By the time in
died in 1845, he had planted tens of thousands of apple trees. This fictionalized biography is
written in such a lively, conversational style that it sounds as if a storyteller is speaking.
Charming watercolor illustrations strongly reminiscent of Grandma Moses, the artist's great
grandmother, show busy, bright scenes of frontier life. 2001, Philomel/Penguin Putnam, Ages 8
to 12, $16.99. Reviewer: Patricia Dole
 Johnny Appleseed
Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benet
Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
This poem has been a favorite of kids for many years--it was written in 1933.
Schindler has given it new life, however, with his wonderful, colored pencil drawings. Johnny
Appleseed, whose real name was John Chapman, did spend his life planting apple seeds and tending
the trees throughout Ohio and Indiana. Why he did it, no one knows, but the fruits of his labor
stand as a testament to his commitment. Schindler adds plenty of humor in his pictures. He
depicts Johnny as a skinny but apparently content old man, eating, pruning and fearlessly
wandering the wild Midwest. He wears a pot upon his head, sleeps nestled in a tree and never
comes to any harm from man or beast. The pictures are set on a soft light-brown paper with
texture that reemphasizes Johnny's affinity with the brown earth that nurtures his seeds.
A good selection for elementary story hour and kids will pick up on the humor of the
endpapers. A note from the author's son, Thomas C. Bent, provides background about the poem
and its creators. 2001, McElderry/Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
Johnny Appleseed
Reeve Lindbergh
Illustrated by Kathy Jakobsen
Music composed by Randy Scruggs
This is a charming poetry version of one tale about John Chapman, aka Johnny
Appleseed. The paintings that illustrate the book are done in primitive style with fascinating
detail and are a feast for the eyes. Children will want to spend time just looking at the pictures
and discovering all the details of plants, animals, and people. The book by itself is a jewel,
and the audio recording only adds to the attractiveness. The simple guitar melody enhances the
verse, without ever overwhelming it, and in the background the "sounds" of the pictures are heard
--such as falling rain, cattle lowing, a barking dog, a bear's growl, the crisp sound of someone
biting into a fresh apple, etc. Side 1 of the cassette includes page-turning cues while Side 2
does not. At the end of the book, a page of simple text outlines John Chapman's life and work
and his place in American history. This recorded book would be an asset for any school or public
library or any home with young children, and it could be used in elementary classes in American
history. (Paperback book and read-along audiocassette (11:08; 11:16) in hanging bag.) 2000,
Weston Woods Studios, Unpaged, $12.95. Grades K-3. Reviewer: Ginny Hoskins
Johnny Appleseed
Gwenyth Swain
Illustrations by Janice Lee Porter
This easy-reader biography of the familiar folk hero traces John Chapman's
life. Born on the eve of the Revolutionary War, he grew up with eleven siblings and half-siblings.
His career selling apple seedlings brought him to pioneers who were settling the new frontier,
west from Pennsylvania to Ohio and Indiana. Friendly with both Indians and white settlers, Chapman
experienced dual loyalties as the two groups fought during the War of 1812. Toward the end of
his life he became a traveling missionary, preaching sermons as well as sowing apple trees.
Swain provides a concluding section about some of the myths that grew up around Chapman-such
as, that he dressed in burlap sacks and wore a tin-pot hat, and that he was called Johnny
Appleseed. The text is appropriately simple and accessible for emerging readers, although its
claim that "At some point in John's life, God spoke to him" suggests the occurrence of a
mystical revelation that does not fit other published accounts of John's growing spirituality.
The art, for some reason, depicts John as looking like a stereotyped Chinaman, complete with
slanty eyes and straggly black goatee. An "On My Own Biography." 2001, Carolrhoda Books,
Ages 6 to 8, $21.27 and $6.95. Reviewer: Claudia Mills
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