Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend

by Will Moses

The long-enduring American legend of Johnny Appleseed comes to life in the glorious folk illustrations and spirited storytelling of Will Moses. Everyone knows the story of Johnny how he traveled westward across our young country, spreading apple trees wherever he went and wearing outlandish hats, like a soup pot, on his head. But did you know that Johnny Appleseed was a real person? Born John Chapman in 1774, he grew up in a family of twelve children, and as a young man, struck out to find the frontier. It was along this journey that he discovered the wonders of apple trees, and where he had his life adventures.

In the tradition of his great-grandmother, Grandma Moses, Will Moses's much-loved folk art perfectly illustrates this American tale.

Genres: Biography, Picture Books, History, Childrens, 1st Grade, American History, Fairy Tales

48 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2001

About the author

Born and raised here, in Eagle Bridge, New York, Will Moses creates paintings that reflect the quiet beauty of this tiny community nestled close to the Vermont border. Will has created a vivid, delightful miniature world, peopled with villagers who have stepped out of the past to charm us with their simple, everyday pastimes.

As a fourth generation member of the renowned Moses family, painting is a natural tradition for Will, who began painting when he was four years old. Encouraged by his grandfather, a well-known folk painter in his own right, young Will was allowed to experiment freely with paints. Forrest K. Moses was totally committed to self-expression and passed this freedom of spirit along to his young grandson. Stimulated by his grandfather's confident approach, Will developed his own unique style of Americana.

Today, Will continues to carry on the family tradition. Although his style is reminiscent of that of his celebrated great-grandmother, it is more complex and sophisticated.

Read more...

Reviews

[Ro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lovely illustrations, and I enjoyed introducing my kids growing up in Europe to an American legend.

[Heather Tully · Rating 4 out of 5]

longer read alouds count! I read this one to Timothy & Josiah as part of their 2022-2023 edu year. we loved the illustrations and a longer tale of JA.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on www.CreativeMadnessMama.com Johnny Appleseed, a legend
This year we are studying folk tales and legends. Starting our year with Memoria Press Second Grade Enrichment Guide our first book choice is Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh. In addition to reading that book I decided to peruse our shelves for other Johnny Appleseed and apple themed books including this one, Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend by Will Moses that I bought on recommendation of Sonlight Core A.

The illustrations are lovely with the lanky Johnny through out. Moses starts his book with the birth of John Chapman in 1774, continues into his youthful years, and then his adult life. In the reading of this book I noted that it is not a straight biographical picture book, but it is full of both fact and legend with no distinguishing remarks between which is which. As an add-on read to a unit study, I find this book to be delightful, attractive in imagery and prose. However, I would not recommend this book for your sole study of John Chapman as it is not clear enough on the facts. The book is lovely and I'm very glad to have it for our study.
View all my reviews

 
This review was originally posted on www.CreativeMadnessMama.com

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This picture book tells the story of John Chapman, the real life man who came to be known as Johnny Appleseed. The artwork is beautiful, but the story telling is long winded and meandering. I can see kids losing interest very quickly. It also has some problematic portrayals of Native Americans that I would hesitate to share with a kid, at least not without some discussion. I can sometimes forgive older publications for this, but this was published in 2001 and could have done better. Overall, I would probably choose other titles if looking to learn more about Johnny Appleseed.

[ChristineK · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story beautifully illustrated by the art of Will Moses. Johnny Appleseed and Silent Night are my favorites so far (of the Will Moses art books).

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written & illustrated by Will Moses, this picture book of Johnny Appleseed is a biographical take rather than the usual folklore associated with him. Born on the brink of the American Revolution, Johnny Chapman would grow up in a large family. But he had an early interest in the wilderness, in which, as a young adult, he would venture out to the frontier. And from there, the legend if Johnny Appleseed would start as Americans started pioneering out west as well.

Will Moses did his research well in making an attempt of a timeline of Chapman's life. Unfortunately, because there isn't much documentation on him, Moses had to improvise a few scenarios that did occur, supposedly. The art style is hand drawn & painted, coming from a family of illustrators, Moses shows his gift in providing very detailed art for his story. They may look simple in some areas, but full of expression. While the book leans on being quite text heavy, it's still an informative picture book on learning about Johnny Chapman, the man behind the legend.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted desperately to love this book. It features a hometown (or rather, very close to my hometown) hero - someone who was born and grew up in towns I am quite familiar with. I love the history and the mythological status that he earned.

But this book tries too hard, includes too much, and is, quite frankly, boring. The narrative is too long and meandering. I'm not sure about the intended audience, but I believe most younger children would lose interest quickly.

The illustrations are a bit rudimentary for my taste. I suppose they fit the era of his life, but the drawings of people (especially of children) are odd (they look like adults in myriad sizes, but not like children, really.

Overall, it was worth a read, but very forgettable.

[LeAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moses does a good job of mixing fact and legend with phrases like "no doubt" and "just maybe" when informed imagination takes over. Although he traces evidence of the journeys of the real John Chapman, he also includes stories (some of them clearly tall tales) that grew up around this gentle and godly frontiersman. The illustrations are in American primitive style, sometimes so full of tiny details that they reminded me of medieval manuscript illuminations. Sure to inspire little boys.

[Len Knighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've known of Johnny Appleseed since I was a kid; I've known the song, sung by Dennis Day, as long. But I didn't know the stories in this book, a book I borrowed from the local library to read to my granddaughters. Now they know them, and they know that there many not in this book. Some may be true, some may be as tall as John Chapman or the trees he planted are imagined to be. The stories may be legends, but the man was real.

Four stars

[Emily Cushing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a legend is a biography about John Chapman who was also known as Johnny Appleseed. This book is intended for children aged eight to thirteen. This story tells about Johnny Appleseed and his journey throughout life and the important events that occurred. Johnny Appleseed had eleven brothers and sisters and grew up on a farm during the Revolutionary War. He set out on his own to discover the world and he loved to be in the woods. Johnny did not like that the woods were being torn down to make room for civilization so wherever he went, he would plant apple trees to keep the country more wooded. I would rate this book four out of five stars. The paintings go well with the story and they tell a story themselves. The illustrations in the book show Johnny Appleseed growing up and becoming older just like a timeline. The pictures are also very detailed. The book may be difficult for young readers because it has a lot of words on the pages but, it is a great read and a good story to read aloud to a group because the pictures are very colorful. This book would work well when teaching a lesson about what a biography is.

[Carlie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade level: 2
Genre: Historical fiction
Review: It was an interesting book on Johnny Appleseed. I was always told the simplified version where he plants seed and then apple trees grew. This book talks about family, the people he talked to, and more of his adventure. The pictures are very detailed.

[Angela Manchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful read for Ari and me. April 2022

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnny Appleseed’s story has a lot of meaning for our family so I loved reading this one and I will definitely buy this to have for the family.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kids love this story. The folksy art is fun. We didn't get into it expecting it to be a perfectly factual biography; we got it for the legends.

[Kristin Nare · Rating 4 out of 5]

We enjoyed this telling of Johnny's life, a kind, gentle, giving man who left behind quite a legacy! The illustrations were pleasant as well, reminiscent of the old American style.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute.

[Lynnette · Rating 3 out of 5]

excited to try this again when my kid is a little bit older. there were too many words on a page to keep my 3-year-old interested. but I can see how maybe even next fall this will be great.

[Haley Barbour]

Title: Johnny Appleseed. The Story of a Legend
Author: Will Moses
Genre: Legend
Theme(s): Sharing/Helping others/Generosity/Be grateful
Opening line/sentence: It was 1774, September to be exact, when the apples were hanging heavy and red on the trees, that John Chapman was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth and Nathaniel Chapman.
Brief Book Summary: This book tells the story of how Johnny Appleseed, a young boy who loved the outdoors grows into a man who plants apple trees across the United States. Throughout the book he shows small acts of generosity.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kathy Broderick (Booklist, Sep. 1, 2001 (Vol. 98, No. 1))
This picture-book biography of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, is written and illustrated by a well-known folk artist. Starting in 1774, the year of Chapman's birth, Moses briefly covers Chapman's early childhood, and then quickly moves on to his young adult years, when he leaves home for the frontier. The bulk of the book documents Chapman's rich adult life and celebrates his odd ways. The book will augment a classroom unit on pioneer life or even folklore, but the text is too long and complex for the usual picture-book crowd, and it will appeal only to the older, most committed Appleseed fans. The paintings, however, from thumbnail size to almost full page, are filled with rich detail and are unforgettable.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, July 1, 2001 (Vol. 69, No. 13))
Many are the available picture-book tales of half-legendary wanderer John Chapman, but this one (not really a picture book) merits consideration, both for its appealing folk-art-style illustrations (Moses is an artistic, as well as genetic, descendant of Grandma Moses), and for its thoughtful prose portrait of a man who, Moses suggests, "represents the best qualities of the American character." The author tucks a few tall-sounding tales into his narrative, but in general sticks closely to the historical record, following Chapman from his early years in Massachusetts, through decades of planting and preaching in Pennsylvania, the Ohio Territory, and, finally, Indiana, where he tended orchards to the last. Ranging from spread-fillers to vignettes, the paintings are nearly all landscapes, with a small, lanky, oddly dressed figure placed amid tapestries of orchards and fields, or paddling along waterways in a birch bark canoe. Just as his apple trees "helped blaze the trail westward," so, avers the author, should his "kindness and humanity, [his] industrious, independent spirit" make him a "beacon to follow" for today's young readers. Make room on the shelf for this slim volume, too.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: Both of the reviews go into detail about how Will Moses doesn’t just touch on what Johnny Appleseed is known for but that he goes into detail about his early life and then goes on to tell about his life during his adult years. This was something that I found interesting and I think that this would help to teach a lesson to the class because you can truly focus on his whole life and not just the small piece he is known for.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: I thought that this book was very well written and illustrated. Unlike most of the other Johnny Appleseed books I looked at, this one was definitely written for a slightly older audience with the amount of information on each page. The book also uses higher vocab. I love how in depth the illustrations are throughout the book.
Consideration of Instructional Application: As an activity to go with this book I would have all of my students make their own apple tree out of construction paper. To include writing into the activity I would have the phrase “What would you do with a basket of apples..” and allow my students to tell their own story of what they would do with their apples. I would then hang these around my classroom.

[Ryan Hercik]

Title: Johnny Appleseed: The Story of a Legend
Author and Illustrator: Will Moses
Genre: Legend
Theme(s): History,Pioneers, Historical Figure
Opening line/sentence: It was in 1774, September to be exact, when the apples were hanging heavy and red on the trees, that John Chapman was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth and Nathaniel Chapman.
Brief Book Summary: Not many kids would know that Johnny Appleseed was a real man. In this folk telling by Will Moses he does a great job portraying the westward travel and spreading the apple tree wherever he may go. His adventures took him places across the frontier as he grew up learning more about the people while being a funny guy by wearing a soup pot on his head.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: (Hornbook) 48 pp. Philomel 2001. ISBN 0-399-23153-6
(3) K-3 Although Moses doesn't completely succeed in clearly distinguishing between fact and legend, this lengthy text does offer a credible account of the man behind the myth. Depicted in a folk-art style, the skilled illustrations complement the conversational tone of the story. This picture-book biography is a nice addition to Johnny Appleseed lore.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Patricia Dole (Children’s Literature)
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.
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I believe this story is a mix between the true story of Johnny Chapman and the myth of Johnny Appleseed. He was known either way for his contribution to society and wanting always more for others then himself. The art sets a friendly and historical motion to the story while including the struggles and hardships he experienced along the way.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This rendition of Johnny Appleseed is portrayed especially to the young reader. It maps out his adventure across the frontier with beautiful painted pictures that are colorful and appealing to a child. While this is still an American folktale, students will be understand that some of this story is true by comparing and contrasting it to other stories like this that we may read.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book of Johnny Appleseed gives students the background knowledge of how our settlers lived and survived during the movement west by settlers. It would be great to incorporate a lesson on plants with my future students. I would be able to explain to them the hard work and effort it took these people to grow what they had from nothing to what we have today just like the seed of an apple tree to the apple that we can eat. His kindness and generosity can be a trait I would love to see my students grow to have.

[Amanda Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book that I use when we are learning about Johnny Appleseed in the fall. Many times the students think that Johnny Appleseed is just a character in a book, this books offers fun information about the real John Chapman. This book provides important information about him in a fun story like structure that young students enjoy.

[Jacqueline Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a man named John Chapman who was raised by his grandparents while his father was off at war. When his father returned, he announced that he was going to remarry and settle down on some land he had already purchased. John and his sister were forced to move away from their grandparents and join him. John had a hard time during his childhood, considering he had 11 brothers and sisters. There was never any privacy so one day he just up and left towards the frontiers. Along the way he planted apple seeds and grew apple trees because he felt that apples could set a person for life; there were so many different dishes that could be made out of apples. John became known as Johnny Appleseed by the members from the town because of the many apple trees he planted. Johnny was always out in the wilderness and was friends with many of the animals. When Johnny was around people, he was always doing good things for them and giving them whatever it is they lacked. He always put others before himself. Eventually, Johnny took a break from the frontier life and moved in with his sister and her family. That is where he met a boy who had just lost both of his parents and needed to look after his many brothers and sisters. Of course, Johnny showed him the way of the apple trees. After helping the poor boy, Johnny realized that he missed the wilderness. He set off to the frontier again where he planted apple trees along the way and helped those in need. Johnny died doing what it is he loved, which was planting apple trees. While there are many tall tales that went from town to town as to the extremes Johnny endured, the story of John Chapman and the things he accomplished were real.

The way this story was organized and told really showed the different perspectives of Johnny Chapman. It not only told his background story and all the things he accomplished, but it also told of all the tall tales people made up about him. In some parts of the story, the narrator would also mention that some of the information he was relaying he was not too sure about, which is a positive thing because he is letting the audience know that these certain things may or may not have happened. He could have just falsified the information he was relaying and lead the readers to believe something that was not true, but he kept the unknowns open for interpretation so the audience could draw their own conclusions. Overall the features and layout of this book really allowed the reader to understand Johnny Chapman’s life better. It did not just simply state facts, but told it in a narrative format to keep the readers engaged in the information.

[Dundee Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book pieces together details of the life of John Chapman, the actual man who came to be known as Johnny Appleseed. Johnny became a legend as the apple tree planting hero who helped open and tame the American frontier. This book sheds a light on the events that helped shape the tales that grew about this man. From historical accounts and a variety of sources, Moses pieces together the stories of Johnny. From talking with animals, taming wolves, and sleeping with bears, the author weaves what information that can be found from the times and portrays him as a man of integrity and kindness for all living things. He gives a basis for the tall tales that have grown about Johnny in a variety of publications suitable for classroom reading. This book however, would be better used in an upper elementary setting. He gives quite a number of facts about Chapman's life that might become overwhelming as an early elementary read. Older students however, might enjoy hearing about the actual events that inspired the many "tall tales" generated about John Chapman/Appleseed.

Titles that might work well as follow up reads include the following:


Johnny Appleseed
Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale

[Erica Johnson]

This is a biography about Johnny Appleseed told from the perspective of Will Moses. Moses explores the life of Johnny Appleseed, discusses his past times. Johnny Appleseed was a great tree planter and tree hugger. The biography starts with biographical information about Johnny Appleseed whose real name was John Chapman. Johnny always wanted to "live free like the Indians and the animals" and wanted to roam the undeveloped ground of the country. Moses places his own twists and tales into the biography about the adventures of Johnny Appleseed. Johnny was headed west when he had the great idea that apples were good for everything and everyone. He began planting apple trees and sap throughout western Pennsylvania and Ohio. People began to notice his generosity and kindness which caused his reputation to grow into the well known person he is today even after his death.

This book could be used in a history lesson during the times of the American Revolution. I would recommend this book for all ages 8 and older. This book is more complex with a lot more text than most children's books.

[Emmie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this and my kids did not seem to like it much either. It was kind of long and drawn out and really didn't say much. It was awkwardly written.

Second Review with Older Children:

I'm really not a huge fan of this book. I read it because the children like hearing about Johnny Appleseed, but personally it's not my favorite. In fact after reading this book, I'd wonder if Johnny Appleseed even existed!

Aside from the clear biographical information at the beginning and the end, the vast majority of the book is pure speculation. "Maybe he thought this." "Perhaps he wanted that." These kinds of statements flood this book with no real knowledge of what he did and why. It's also unnecessarily repetitive.

It is a picture book and some of the pictures were nice and enjoyable to look at. But there were some that were just odd. There's no other word for it.

I can't say it's a horrible book and it may be your style of book. As I said my children enjoyed it so I think it has some merit in that respect.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the art work in this book and I loved that the author and illustrator learned to paint from his father, who learned to paint from his mother, Grandma Moses. The artwork really matches well with the story. However, the story is meandering with so many details that it was kind of overwhelming. At one point, the author is telling about the animals that Johnny was so fascinated with and how the animals love Johnny. The author explains that Johnny might have been bitten by a giant, old rattlesnake and then Johnny cut the snake in half. But that might not be true. Ummm, ok, so a guy gets bitten by a rattlesnake (an old one being more poisonous than a young one) does not get medical treatment and is apparently fine, but is traumatized by having to kill a snake and you don't even know if that's true? Seems a little weird to include it... Anyway, it wouldn't be my first choice in a book to read to kids about Johnny Appleseed, just too much detail.

[Adriana Mendoza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Our school uses Story Town as it's reading program. In one particular week the the book introduced "Stone Soup" and a small article about "Johnny Appleseed" as the paired selection. My students were interested in the story of Johnny Appleseed so I promised to read some more about him. I found this book in the school library. The artwork and style writing are very good in this book. But I have to stay that it was very long. The book also did not do a good job at introducing some real historical facts about Johnny Appleseed, so it made the story seem more ficitonal or story like than a legend or tall-tale. My kids did enjoy some parts of the story, but I would like to look at some othe interpretations of "Johnny Appleseed".

[Ruby Hollyberry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the story, plot, all of it, meander as it does, but there are some problems here. Too many long words for little kids. Reading it to a child under eight would require a LOT of explanations. But it doesn't look like a big kid book either. With all the illustration and the size and shape, it is going to get shelved with the picture books. Other major problem: VERY VERY GRATUITOUSLY CHRISTIAN. I don't mind this personally, rolls off me like water off a duck, but I doubt I'd put it into a classroom today. Could be very off-putting to children of various backgrounds. Possibly this edition written for the Christian homeschooling market?

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book with my 7-year-old son and we found it to be a bit tedious. There are a lot of details that just don't seem necessary so it feels like the author is rambling. I liked how the book told about Johnny's journey from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania to Ohio and finally to Indiana. We were able to look at that on a map and my son was amazed at the thought of not using a car for that long distance. My son was also amazed by the amount of kids some of the families had in the story. Overall, there are some interesting things but there's a lot that could have been left out.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hope this is a fair rating. I lost interest in the story fairly early on, so I don't think most kids would stick with it unless they had a strong interest in Johnny Appleseed. The story is not very engaging, and the art didn't add much to the text.

This is the book's first sentence:
It was in 1774, September to be exact, when the apples were hanging heavy and red on the trees, that John Chapman was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, to Elizabeth and Nathaniel Chapman.