Johnny Appleseed: My Story

Great book -- my kids liked the following (in their words): + he walked around barefoot. + he planted apple trees. I like apples -- they are my favorite + bears have bad breath + he got appleseeds for free and planted orchards + he outsmarted guys who wanted to fight

This book is a Level 2 Reader which is defined as being for Grades 1 to 3. And despite being a Practice Reader this book by David Harrison does as fine a job as any book we have read thus far in teaching young children about Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman). The book begins with Johnny's arrival on a farm. Everyone is excited to see John again and they invite him to dinner. The two children, Will and Beth, want John to tell them one of this stories, and he says 'sure' but not before he helps dad with the wood splitting. When they do all settle down after dinner, Johnny tells of his own boisterous childhood. How he found relief from the noise of ten siblings! in the woods and how the woods became a second home to him. The story goes on to describe how he set off from Massachusetts to go west, and how he fell into apple planting by accident when a cider mill gave him free apple seeds. The book covers the harsh winters in Pennsylvania and how John planted seeds there and in Indiana and Ohio too. Five Stars. Very Good read-aloud. The book gives some history and explanation of how and why Johnny ended up traveling the wilderness. In addition, it points out in a fun, non condemning way that many of the stories told about John are more myth than truth. Text is included below so you can judge reading levels for yourself. "I sold sprouts to folks heading west in their wagons. I sold sprouts to settlers living in log cabins. One sprout cost six and a half cents. "Sometimes I traded sprouts for clothes or food. Some folks were too poor to trade. I game them sprouts for free. I knew how it felt To be poor. Pam T~ mom and reviewer at BooksForKids-reviews

This book was very kid-friendly. My first grade class enjoyed it very much.

This is an engaging story with wonderful illustrations!