Better Known as Johnny Appleseed facts for kids
Better Known as Johnny Appleseed is a children's book written by Mabel Leigh Hunt. It tells the story of John Chapman, who is much better known as Johnny Appleseed. The book shares his life and the many legends about him.
The story is told in nine parts. Each part is named after a type of apple. These are the kinds of apples Johnny Appleseed helped to plant. The book follows his journey as he travels west. He starts near the Youghiogheny River and goes all the way to the Mississippi River. The first edition of the book was published in 1950. It had pictures drawn by James Daugherty. In 1951, the book received a special award called the Newbery Honor.
Contents
Who Was Johnny Appleseed?
Johnny Appleseed was a real person. His true name was John Chapman. He was born in Massachusetts in 1774. He became famous for planting apple trees across the American Midwest. He traveled through states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.
Why Did He Plant Apples?
John Chapman believed in helping people. As settlers moved west, they needed food and resources. Apple trees were very important. They provided fruit for eating and for making cider. Planting apple trees also helped settlers claim land. If you planted an orchard, it showed you were improving the land.
How Did He Plant Them?
Johnny Appleseed did not plant whole apple trees. Instead, he carried bags of apple seeds. He collected these seeds from cider mills. He would plant nurseries of apple trees. Then he would sell or give away the young trees to settlers. He often traded them for clothes or food.
What Was Johnny Appleseed Like?
People remembered Johnny Appleseed for his simple life. He wore plain clothes and often went barefoot. He was known for being kind to everyone. He was especially kind to animals. Stories say he would never hurt an animal. He even bought injured horses to save them.
He was also a very peaceful person. He shared his religious beliefs with settlers and Native Americans. He was a friend to many different groups of people. His travels helped connect communities in the growing American frontier.
About the Book: Better Known as Johnny Appleseed
Mabel Leigh Hunt wrote Better Known as Johnny Appleseed to share his story. The book mixes facts about John Chapman with the popular legends. It helps young readers understand why he became such a famous folk hero.
The Author and Illustrator
Mabel Leigh Hunt was a well-known children's author. She wrote many books that taught children about history and important figures. James Daugherty was a famous artist and writer. He won the Newbery Medal himself for another book. His drawings in this book helped bring Johnny Appleseed's adventures to life.
The Newbery Honor Award
The Newbery Medal is a very important award for children's books. It is given each year to the author of the most outstanding American children's book. When a book receives a "Newbery Honor," it means it was one of the top books considered for the main award. This shows that Better Known as Johnny Appleseed was highly praised.
Johnny Appleseed's Legacy
Johnny Appleseed died in 1845. But his legend lives on. He is remembered as a symbol of American pioneering spirit. He represents kindness, generosity, and a love for nature. His story teaches us about helping others and leaving a positive mark on the world.
