Johnny Appleseed - Single Picture Poem Book

Author - Rosemary and Stephen Vincent Benet
Illustrator - S. D. Schindler
Publisher - Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2001.
Page #'s -25
Rating - 4/5

Johnny Appleseed is a book with one poem and many pictures. The poem tells the story of Johnathon Chapman, aka, Johnny Appleseed. It tells how he went across the Midwest planting apples where ever he could. He did not have a hat, so he wore a tin can. He lived amongst the animals and in the trees. All that is left to remind us of him are his apples trees. An author's note in the back states that he was a real man, though he has been " touched with elements of folk legend."

This tale has a charming poem and is enjoyable to say. The pictures go nicely to tell the story. They look like they are drawn with watercolor and colored pencil for detail. There is a map drawn when it tells of him planting in the Midwest that is helpful for children to learn where he was historically. One page tells of "stalking Indians," which I first though a bit demeaning. But the author's note states that the Indians would have been stalking prey and had respect for Johnny Appleseed. The phrase was used as an "atmospheric touch."