The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot facts for kids
The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot is a fun and exciting children's fantasy novel. It was written by Catherine Besterman. This book tells a magical story based on an old Polish folktale. It's all about a brave boy named Johnny Longfoot. He is the son of a "shoe king," which means his family makes or sells shoes. Johnny goes on an amazing adventure. He has to outsmart tricky guard dogs and even a big bear! A clever cat sends him on a special quest. Johnny needs to find gold and magical seven-league boots. These boots let you travel super fast, covering long distances in just a few steps. The book has wonderful pictures drawn by Warren Chappell. It was first published in 1947. In 1948, it won a special award called the Newbery Honor.
Contents
What is the Story About?
Johnny's Amazing Adventure
The book follows Johnny Longfoot, the son of a shoe king. His journey is full of challenges. He meets different animals. Johnny has to use his wits to get past them. He outsmarts some guard dogs. He also cleverly deals with a large bear. These parts of the story show how brave and smart Johnny is.
The Quest for Gold and Magic Boots
A mysterious cat gives Johnny a very important mission. Johnny must go on a quest. His goal is to find valuable gold. He also needs to find special seven-league boots. These boots are legendary. They allow the wearer to take steps that cover seven leagues. A league is an old way to measure distance. It's about three miles. So, these boots let Johnny travel incredibly fast. This quest makes the story exciting. It's a true fantasy adventure.
Who Wrote and Illustrated the Book?
Meet Catherine Besterman
The author of this wonderful story is Catherine Besterman. She brought the Polish folktale to life. She created new characters and adventures. Her writing makes the story fun to read. She helps readers imagine Johnny's world.
The Art of Warren Chappell
The book's pictures were drawn by Warren Chappell. He was a famous artist. His illustrations help tell the story. They show what Johnny and the other characters look like. The pictures also show the magical places Johnny visits. They make the book even more special.
What Awards Did the Book Win?
The Newbery Honor Award
The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot received a special award. It was named a Newbery Honor book in 1948. The Newbery Medal is a very important award. It is given to the best children's books published in America. Getting a Newbery Honor means the book was one of the top choices. It was recognized for its excellent writing. It was also praised for its interesting story. This award shows that many people loved the book.
