Johnny Appleseed (Tall Tales, Imagination Series) Book

Presents the life story of John Chapman, whose distribution of apple seeds and trees across the Midwest made him a legend of tall tales and left a legacy still enjoyed today.

Sheree Van Vreede - Children's Literature

Johnny Appleseed, part legend and part history, was a real man who lived in the 1700s. Born in Massachusetts under the name of John Chapman, he became restless to see more and go beyond the territory that he knew. Therefore, he set out by himself on a journey west. Along the way, he grew to appreciate the apple tree and began planting it everywhere. Pretty soon, he became known as Johnny Appleseed by the many settlers he met who were heading west to make a claim on the free land that the government was offering. These same settlers began to tell stories about Johnny, many of which became tall tales, and it was not long before the lines between fact and fiction became blurred. In this retelling of the popular story, Bill Balcziak attempts to provide a picture of what is true about Johnny Appleseed and what is myth. In this addition to the "Tall Tale" series, he also captures a pivotal time in our nation's history and the part this explorer played in it. Packed with an apple muffin recipe, a glossary of terms, facts, Web sites, and a bibliography, this book provides an entertaining and educating look at this fascinating character. 2003, Compass Point Books,