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My Little Golden Book About...
Johnny Appleseed: A Little Golden Book Biography
Help your little one dream big with a Little Golden Book biography all about the American hero Johnny Appleseed! The perfect introduction to nonfiction for preschoolers!
In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American and early conservationist who traveled the country planting apple trees. Little ones will enjoy engaging anecdotes about Johnny Appleseed, beginning with the young John, who liked to walk barefoot in the cool, quiet woods. They’ll gain a clear understanding of the way he helped American settlers by walking a hundred thousand miles in his lifetime, for over fifty years, to plant seeds. Fun facts at the end—such as how Johnny Appleseed looked poor in his worn-out clothes, but died owning over a thousand acres of land—round out this nonfiction book with typical Little Golden Book style and warmth.
Look for more Little Golden Book
• George W. Bush
• John McCain
• My LGB About the White House
In this simple yet lively book, preschoolers will be introduced to John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed. Lyrical text and bright, appealing artwork capture the essence of this important American and early conservationist who traveled the country planting apple trees. Little ones will enjoy engaging anecdotes about Johnny Appleseed, beginning with the young John, who liked to walk barefoot in the cool, quiet woods. They’ll gain a clear understanding of the way he helped American settlers by walking a hundred thousand miles in his lifetime, for over fifty years, to plant seeds. Fun facts at the end—such as how Johnny Appleseed looked poor in his worn-out clothes, but died owning over a thousand acres of land—round out this nonfiction book with typical Little Golden Book style and warmth.
Look for more Little Golden Book
• George W. Bush
• John McCain
• My LGB About the White House
24 pages, Hardcover
Published September 5, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 24, 2025
Adorable illustrations and a decent telling of the Johnny Appleseed legend.
Ages: 4 - 8
We had a little Johnny Appleseed/Apple celebration: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
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Ages: 4 - 8
We had a little Johnny Appleseed/Apple celebration: watch my reel!
Content Considerations: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
July 20, 2019
Lovely! Can’t get enough of Godbout’s work!!
July 25, 2019
Delightful story! Read it to my granddaughter, she loves it!
September 12, 2017
An interesting little golden book about Johnny Appleseed. A brief history of a man that spread apple seeds around several states in the Early US. A good book to read at story time.
May 12, 2021
Johnny Appleseed is one of those stories where its never clear whether he was a real person or a folk hero. This book is written as if he was real, and it insists on sticking to the facts. There's nothing about his racoon hat or some of the most sensationalized stories about him. Johnny walked through the settler's America and plants apple seeds all over. He walked around to ensure that the apples were growing well. He dressed like he had nothing even though he was the time period's equivalent of a millionaire. He was wearing potato sacks and a tinfoil hat. He was a vegetarian.
There is something deeply sweet about the art style. There are lots of circles and soft grey shading. There are lots of rosy cheeks and red noses. The grainy quality of the drawings makes it seem like they all took place a long time ago.
As time passes, Johnny's strangeness takes him into tall tale territory. There was no TV back then so making up stories about your weird traveling apple man was the height of entertainment. So much time has passed that it is difficult to untangle the tales from the truth. This book does a great job at presenting both with a clear message on what was fake and what was real.
Children should read this book because America has so few folk heroes. Preserving them is important to preserving American culture. He also was a real guy, and did have a positive impact on thousands of people. His historical relevance remains to this day.
There is something deeply sweet about the art style. There are lots of circles and soft grey shading. There are lots of rosy cheeks and red noses. The grainy quality of the drawings makes it seem like they all took place a long time ago.
As time passes, Johnny's strangeness takes him into tall tale territory. There was no TV back then so making up stories about your weird traveling apple man was the height of entertainment. So much time has passed that it is difficult to untangle the tales from the truth. This book does a great job at presenting both with a clear message on what was fake and what was real.
Children should read this book because America has so few folk heroes. Preserving them is important to preserving American culture. He also was a real guy, and did have a positive impact on thousands of people. His historical relevance remains to this day.
April 17, 2024
i read these books on my kindle FIRE, what i always read on these days. some books are perfect sizing but these 6 were not, sad face, i read Buffalo Bird Girl, We Are Grateful, We Are Still Here, My Little Golden Book about Washington DC, My Little Golden Book about Weather, My Little Golden Book about Johnny Appleseed. so what feature i am speaking of ...you take your 2 fingers, i usually use my thumb and first finger and enlarge the screen (picture, which includes the text and illustrations, and you can get bigger to see all the details, if the text is too small, which each of these books are that way it would enlarge the text. well it doesn't work?) i have done some research but i can not get to see what i am speaking of. .. like what that feature is called?? i can not be the only one who enjoys reading on my kindle FIRE??! is this an Amazon issues? publisher? author? who is in charge of that? any who ...these books are all unreadable ...because the text is too too small. you can see the illustrations but not that greatly??! sad sad face. so i am reviewing a kindle FIRE version ...read through my local library leaning program.
August 19, 2018
A picture book biography of Johnny Appleseed.
This book does a good job of summarizing Johnny Appleseed's life and mission while also mentioning that tall tales grew up around the man. The illustrations are soft and warm, giving this a cozy feel. A good read when talking about ways you can help others or for apple season.
This book does a good job of summarizing Johnny Appleseed's life and mission while also mentioning that tall tales grew up around the man. The illustrations are soft and warm, giving this a cozy feel. A good read when talking about ways you can help others or for apple season.
August 20, 2018
This is the biography version of John Chapman's life, although the legend is briefly mentioned too. Due to his influence, apples grow in every state in the U.S.
Use to compare and contrast with Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale
Use to compare and contrast with Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale
October 24, 2021
Overall, this is a nice book with charming illustrations. I've read lots of books about Johnny Appleseed (aka. John Chapman), and this one reads more like a short biography. It's a nice addition to a child's library. I'd probably recommend Carol Greene's biography over this one if you want a biography and the Disney Little Golden Book over this one if you want a narrative.
September 9, 2018
This is a great, simple read about the tale of Johnny Appleseed. This book has all the history and background on him that easy for kids to read. This book may be too small in front for a whole class read, but is it great for small group read and discussion!
October 2, 2019
This book is simple. It tells the story of John Chapman and his life traveling the country sharing his knowledge of agriculture with white settlers as well as learning from Native Americans. Goof for a read aloud with kiddos.
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November 23, 2021This is a good introduction book to the American hero Johnny Appleseed. This book is factual while also being full of imagery. Its perfect for early elementary students. This is a tall tale book that can be placed in classrooms.
October 12, 2017
Nostalgic, colorful illustrations accompanies interesting, informative text about the life of John Chapman a/k/a Johnny Appleseed.
March 14, 2022
A wonderful summary of Mr. Appleseed's life! As the sister of an apple farmer, I was delighted in the accuracy about the history of apples in the USA. Such a fun little book!
October 23, 2022
Just love any book with illustrations by Genevieve Godbout. Good for introducing Johnny Appleseed.
August 18, 2023
A cute kid's biography of Johnny Appleseed. Has the highlights and is kid friendly.
February 4, 2024
What a great book to receive as a gift! A beautiful story, very interesting and motivational. Enjoyed reading this book with my kids!
April 11, 2025
What a cute Little story. We love apples in this house, so to know where they might have come from was fun. I think any child would love this book.
October 12, 2022
I thought that this book was okay. I would recommend it for a second grade classroom. The story had great illustrations and it is a legend that many kids in our generation have heard. I think it is important for the new generation to know. I think the illustrations are very fun to look at but I do feel as though the story drags on a bit and looses the readers focus.
September 17, 2021
Only wish it specifically said Fort Wayne Indiana was where he was buried, not just stating Indiana.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews