Seed by Seed by Esmé Raji Codell
Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Pages: 32 Hardcover
Date Published: August 21st, 2012
Publisher: Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s
Why should we remember Johnny Appleseed today—more than two hundred years after he was born—and call him a hero? Why are the life and lessons of John Appleseed relevant to kids now? This extraordinary picture book answers these questions and more and challenges readers to follow the five footsteps John Chapman left behind: 1. Use what you have 2. Share what you have 3. Respect nature 4. Try to make peace where there is war 5. You can reach your destination by taking small steps. An insightful and friendly text, stunning mixed-media illustrations that combine wood, paper, paint, and fabric, and a winning mixture of information and inspiration make for a stellar picture book for all ages. Includes suggestions for celebrating John Chapman’s birthday (September 26), apple craft ideas, and a recipe.
This is an interesting and long book. Not quite like a storybook although it does start out that way, this is more of a miniature encyclopedia to my thinking with page after page of fact and detail (be it legend, fact or myth). The illustrations are wondrous to the eye and enjoyable to look at and my favorite page is one that is embroidery with words around and in it. Johnny Appleseed is always a great learning theme for school and I’m glad to have discovered another book for our shelf. I enjoyed this Advanced Reader Copy, and I’ll have to see about getting us a real copy for a keeper.
*Thanks to HarperCollins for providing an ARC for review.*
Esmé Raji Codell is a true Johnny Appleseed aficionado and celebrates his birthday with her family and students every autumn. She is a librarian, teacher, reading specialist, and the author of several best-selling books, including Educating Esmé and It’s Time for Preschool, illustrated by Sue Ramá. You can visit her online at www.planetesme.com.
Lynne Rae Perkins was awarded the Newbery Medal for Criss Cross. She is also the creator of several award-winning picture books, including Snow Music, The Broken Cat, Pictures from Our Vacation, and The Cardboard Piano. Her novels include As Easy as Falling Off the Face of the Earth and All Alone in the Universe. She lives in Michigan. You can visit her online at www.lynneraeperkins.com.
