Johnny Appleseed

by Stephen Benét

Provides young readers with this classic poem about the adventures of a preacher and a teacher who planted apple seeds along the Ohio River in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Adventure, Historical Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2001

Reviews

[Amanda Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Johnny Appleseed; it has always been one of my favorites. As a child I enjoyed how his books have always portrayed him as confident person who is doing what he loves, which happens to be planting apple trees. I really enjoyed this version of the book with its rhymes and inviting illustrations.

[Grace Tarnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Poetry
Grade Range: K-5
Being from the Midwest, it is neat to hear a story of a man that loved and contributed to this same land. It is nicely done poem and it is brief. I don't have any retellings of the classic folk tale to compare it to, although I think it would be nice to have a bit more detail and depth to the story.

[Devin Lenzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a man who is so focused on rowing his apple tree he doesn't even notice the things around him but finally gets his apple tree to share with people.
This book would be a great book for k-2nd to start working on rhyming words like tree and bee.

[Morgan Pyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had cute illustrations. It incorporated rhyme scheme throughout the story. It also touched on different cities throughout the united states and included references to Native Americans. This tale of "Appleseed John" is one that will be around for years to tell.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basic retelling of the Johnny Appleseed legend. At least as attractive as most.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned the kind of apples Johnny planted: spitters -- too sour to eat alone, but great for making cider and other things.

[Elly Malone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: historical fiction
Grade Level: k-2

This book was good, nothing really stood out which is why it's not a super high rating. But it was cute nonetheless!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Picture Book - Legend
Ages: 4-8
Awards: X

The poem “Johnny Appleseed” was written by Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benet in 1933. S. D. Schindler has taken their original poem and added beautiful illustrations. The poem is about the legendary American John Chapman, also know as Johnny Appleseed. During Johnny Appleseed’s long life, he traveled alone spreading apple seeds in what is now the Midwest. The illustrations, rendered in colored pencil, splendidly echo the poems imagery. The book includes a special note from Thomas C. Benet, the authors’ son. Within his note he adds that the poems depiction of “stalking Indians” as “wild things” may seem out of date, and the Indians were likely stalking game. He adds that his parents were “quite liberal”, and he includes a sample of another poem to prove it. I think that the book is beautiful.

Activities:
1.Students will Time Machine. The students will write a scene or story in which Johnny Appleseed is transported to present day.
2.Students will Adjective-itis. The students will pick five adjectives for Johnny Appleseed and explain how they apply.

[Patricia Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is in the form of a poem and takes the reader through the classic and well remembered tale about Johnny Appleseed and his legacy. I remember having this book read to me during my elementary school years and I absolutely loved it. I believe that since the story is in a poem format, it just makes it even more enjoyable with all the rhythmic patterns flowing from one page to the next. The whole story progressed more smoothly because of the structure.

What really caught my eye was the pictures, especially the first page. The first page was enveloped with branches that had the apples growing on them, and of course Johnny Appleseed was standing underneath the tree. The illustration was very colorful, and had some what of a "mystical" mood to it which I really enjoyed. The rest of the illustrations continued to be of the same artistic quality and went along well with the text. The pictures were directly related to what the story was explaining. Overall, it was a very cute and enjoyable book. It was definitely fun to relive the past through a classic from my childhood years.

[Halee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a poem about the life of Johnny Appleseed. It follows him through the many towns he traveled too in the midwest spreading his seeds to all. The illustrations are wonderfully done with colored pencil. The poem expresses the nature of Johnny Appleseed and how he saw the world at the time.

This is a historical book I would use to introduce topics that occurred in the time that he was believed to have been alive. Students would research prominent people of that time and present the numerous contributions they had to society. They would dress up as this person and we would do presentations to the whole class.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.D. Schindler illustrates this poem written in 1933 by Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benet about Johnny Appleseed. The large text and colorful illustrations make this book appropriate as a read aloud for children between birth and five years old. The rhyme in the verse could also be used to promote phonemic awareness in young children. The poem's message about leaving behind a legacy of good could also be used to help children develop an understanding of theme.

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

T, R., & T, S. (2001). Johnny Appleseed. New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.

A good book formed into a poem with great illustrations that will keep the reader engaged. A good read aloud and teach the kids about a classic tale. I recommend this to children pre-k. The patterns of the words from page to page would help students and keep them engaged to the text.

[Japonika Finch · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a great example of folktales. This book could be used to introduce students to the two main categories or genres of literature. This book is fiction and has tons of things that could never happen in it.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poem version of the life of Johnny Appleseed. Most of the stanzas flow nicely, but some are awkward and dated. Author's note explains origin of the poem. Illustrations are nice and add to the narrative.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice companion book, when studying about Johnny Appleseed. It is a poem, with nice illustrations, that entertains & informs.

[Heloyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

A familiar tale.
A simple poem.
Delightful illustrations.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our memory of Johnny Appleseed is not a fancy sculpture. We remember him with the abundance of apples now.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appleseed is my favorite folkloric figures and this rendition is lovely, both in the simple storytelling and the illustration.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

grade:4
topic: growing plants, fruit, apple


originally story about Jonathan Chapman.
simple illustration.
explains beliefly about how to grow an apple tree

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poem regarding the life of Johnny Appleseed with pretty standard illustrations. I remember a book something like this when I was growing up. I don't know if it is the same book "updated".

[Naeemah Reese]

This would be a good book for students who are transitioning out of beginner books. The vocabulary is a little bit more challenging and the book is not very long.

[Christie Angleton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Indians referred to as wild animals? Um, no.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

love this author

[Joey Gremillion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful educational poem about John Chapman, also known as (well you know, hence the title, nu?)

[Kait Coss]

1. NA
2. Kindergarten-First grade
3. Johnny Appleseed planted his apple seeds from Indiana to Ohio in hopes they would one day grow into strong apple trees. He traveled as humbly as he could and never gave up on his dream.
4. I remember always learning about Johnny Appleseed in school but I never remember what he was known for other than apples. I loved getting to read his story again and understand it in the simplest of terms.
5. (1) history and folktale are important pieces of literature that can be taught
(2) can be incorporated into a project about sustainability in social studies or science