Johnny appleseed

Johnny Appleseed Written by: Gini Holland Illustrated by: Kim Palmer
Johnny Appleseed as many would call him was born September 26, 1774 in Massachusetts only two years after the United States was born. John was always helpful through his childhood years to take care of his nine brothers and sisters. He started working at an apple orchard during his adolescence and seeing that the apple seeds always thrown away, he sparked a great idea. He decided to collect the seeds and travel across what was then the far west as the Great Lakes and plant his apple seeds in preparation for settlers and in doing so he sold, traded, and gave away his apples and seeds. Johnny Appleseed was known for his environmental side and was always one to put himself in nature. He lived with the animals on their terrain and this lead to many heroic and adventurous stories such as the one where he floats on a block of ice down a river! Johnny Appleseed lived to be 71 and died being well known by Indians and settlers alike so much so that his stories have been passed own for centuries leaving the children of today’s society to have him fresh in their minds.
This is a simplified biography that covers John Chapman’s life; highlighting aspects pertaining to his apple orchard empire. The setting of this story is a highly important factor; starting in the beginning with John’s father off in war with George Washington in New York. They also mention John’s favorite book being the bible which could indicate that children’s books did not exist; giving insight to the reader of how things have changed. A big weakness lies within the pages of this book that may confuse many children readers. While the book is easy to read, doesn’t show any huge stereotypes, and is very educational; it also reminds children periodically throughout the book that stories and tales that were passed down through generations finally making its way to the present, may not even be true. Such as a paragraph about John and a cub of bears; saying “The legend of Johnny Appleseed often went ahead of him…There were true stories… Other stories may have been made up”. This could have children wondering if the biography they are reading it accurate. Every page is a full realistic art piece with a lot of detail and color. The pictures help the story show asides such as what settlers did when they first came to America with John helping to build a house off on the right. The book taught me about a man I’ve never heard of and got me interested in learning more and so I’m sure it would have the same effect on a child. I would suggest having children read this book if there were doing as history report on a positive influence in our nations beginnings or as a browsing book for children about pioneer life and how one man changed it greatly.