Johnny Appleseed, also known as Jonathan Chapman, is often celebrated twice a year for his work in forestry. Those celebrations tend to take place in the spring and fall to correspond with the planting and harvesting of apples. Just in case you plan on marking the occasion, I thought that I’d mention a few related book selections that would be perfect for preschool and kindergarten story circles. The selections are based on my story circle experiences. Here they are:
“Johnny Appleseed”
I have found that Jodie Shepherd’s book “Johnny Appleseed” is a perfect way to introduce Johnny to young children. Unlike some other books on the subject, it addresses the fact that he was a real man and touches on his contributions to forestry in an easily digestible way. The illustrations are also good. You may want to pair it with “The Story of Johnny Appleseed: Legend vs. Fact” handout available on the Best Apples website. At least I found it helpful.
“American Tall Tales”
Based on my experience, Mary Pope Osborne’s book “American Tall Tales” is worth considering if you want to focus on the folklore aspect of Johnny Appleseed’s life. The book also covers other legendary figures like Davy Crockett. As such, it would work well with lesson plans that focus on using one’s creativity, communication and critical thinking skills.
“The Apple Pie Tree”
Zoe Hall’s book “The Apple Pie Tree” is an excellent book to grab if you want to teach the kids about where apples come from. It also touches on the seasons, which makes it a great transition book. As an extra added bonus, both the Speaking of Speech and Scholastic websites have free lesson plan materials available that may be used in conjunction with the book. The Speaking of Speech materials focus specifically on the book whereas the Scholastic materials focus on apple production and the seasons.
“How Do Apples Grow?”
Betsy Maestro’s book “How Do Apples Grow?” is also a great choice when it comes to discussing apple production and seasonal changes. In my opinion, the book contains a lot of detail about the growth process. However, the information is not overly technical. Thus, even the youngest children in your story circle should be able to learn something from listening to the story. I would suggest pairing it with the educational materials found on both the U.S. Apple Association’s website and the Ag in the Classroom’s website. Personally, I really like the U.S. Apple Association’s materials because it contains super craft ideas and coloring sheets.
“Apples for Everyone”
Jill Esbaum’s book “Apples for Everyone” is worth checking out as well. Like a few of the other books on this list, its storyline focuses on how apples grow. However, the full-color photographs make it a standout. In my experience, the kids will appreciate looking at them. You can also find some supplemental materials that could feasibly be used in conjunction with it on the Florida Department of Education’s website. The materials are for an activity that uses real apples and involves math concepts.
Source: Personal Experience
More from this contributor:
Best Ways to Store Fresh Apples
Apple Picking Party Favors for Children
Apple Cider Doughnut Dishes for Unconventional Folks
How to Create Baked Apple Flower Garnishes for the Holidays
