Review of "Johnny Appleseed," by Eva Moore

Review of

Johnny Appleseed, by Eva Moore

Five out of five stars

 Although it would seem that Johnny Appleseed was a myth, there was in fact such a person. He was very much a child of nature, wandering through the wilderness, friends with the animals, settlers and Native Americans. In his own way, Johnny Appleseed prepared the land for the arrival of the Europeans, for he was responsible for the planting of many apple trees, long before settlers arrived. As a consequence, when dwellings were built and farms laid out, there were apple trees already bearing fruit either on the farm or nearby. In the early struggles to grow and acquire enough food, the apples were a welcome and needed addition.

 I first read this book when I was in elementary school and enjoyed it once again. It is well written and does not descend beyond the facts into legend. There are people that are able to commune with wild animals and Appleseed was such a person. I strongly recommend this book as educational and entertaining reading for children at the elementary school level.