I got a call from my mom’s club crafts coordinator asking if I had any Usborne Books on Johnny Appleseed. Being apple season, she was planning a craft and snack around apples, and wanted to read the children a story about Johnny Appleseed. Sadly Usborne does not have any books on the American legend. However, there are a vast amount of terrific books on Johnny Appleseed by other publishers. You should also check out the VHS of Disney’s Melody Time, which features a 17-minute short on Johnny Appleseed. It’s considered a Disney classic.

First a History Lesson
Johnny Appleseed was born in Leominster, Massachusetts on September 26, 1774. His real name was John Chapman. He started his westward journey about 1797. "Johnny Appleseed" was not a scatter of seeds many people believe. He was a practical nurseryman. He realized that there was a real need and an opportunity for service in supplying seeds and seedlings.

For the most part, moving ahead of the pioneers, Johnny started many nurseries throughout the Midwest by planting seeds which he bought from cider mills in Pennsylvania. He owned many tracts of land throughout Ohio and Indiana. He used this land to plant apple seeds, transplant seedlings and set out orchards. He sold and gave trees to the pioneer settlers.

John Chapman spread religion as well as apples. A deeply religious man, John Chapman became a self-appointed missionary for the Church of the New Jerusalem. Johnny Appleseed died on March 18,1845 in Fort Wayne, Indiana after more than 50 years of travel. (Credit to Leominster Historical Commission)

Then Some Book Recommendations

• The True Tale of Johnny Appleseed – for ages 4-9
• The Story of Johnny Appleseed – for ages 4-8
• Johnny Appleseed – for ages 4-8
• The Sun, the Rain, and the Apple Seed: A Novel of Johnny Appleseed’s Life – for ages 9-12
• Who Was Johnny Appleseed? - for ages 9-12

Finally Some Additional Resources

• Wikipedia on Johnny Appleseed
• Apple Education Guide for Teachers from OhioApples.org
• Midge Frazel’s Johnny Appleseed Thematic Unit
• Johnny Appleseed Day from Homeschooling.About.com

Tomorrow Some Apple Recipes…

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