Johnny Appleseed Books for Kindergarten
Every September, many kindergarten classrooms learn about and celebrate Johnny Appleseed. It’s the perfect opportunity to mix in a little history with apple-themed fun! One of the easiest ways to introduce Johnny Appleseed to young learners is through picture books. There are so many wonderful options out there, and I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites that are just right for kindergarten.
Along with these read-alouds, I’ll also share some simple apple-themed activities you can pair with the books to make learning about Johnny Appleseed extra memorable.
Johnny Appleseed Books for Kindergarten
My Little Golden Book About Johnny Appleseed by Lori Haskins Houran
This Little Golden Book version is written in kid-friendly language and gives a nice overview of Johnny Appleseed’s life. It works really well if you’re looking for a simple introduction that keeps students engaged without too many details. The illustrations are bright and appealing, which makes it a great pick for younger listeners.
Activity Pairing Idea: After reading, have your students make this Apple Seed Counting Craft. Students will assemble the simple craft template and count the seeds. They look adorable on fall bulletin boards!
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
This book has a more poetic feel to it, and it beautifully tells Johnny’s story in verse. While the text is a little longer, it’s perfect for a read-aloud if you shorten sections or spread it out over two days.
Activity Pairing Idea: Pair this book with this apple life cycle activity. It helps students connect Johnny’s seed planting to the real process of the apple life cycle!
Johnny Appleseed by Rosemary and Stephen Benet
This classic book offers a traditional take on Johnny’s story. The language may feel a bit old-fashioned, but it’s still accessible for young learners when read aloud. If you like to connect your lessons to folk tales or tall tales, this version is a great fit!
Activity Pairing Idea: If all that talk about apples makes tummies rumble, try this apple tasting activity with your students! I have free printables in this blog post.
Johnny Appleseed by Jane Kurtz
This book by Jane Kurtz is lively and engaging, with illustrations that kids really enjoy. This one does a great job of highlighting Johnny’s kindness and his love for nature. It’s a great option if you want to focus on the values Johnny shared, not just the facts.
Activity Pairing Idea: After reading, add some apple fine motor activities to your morning tubs or centers. Here’s a set to get you started!
More Apple-Themed Activities for Your Classroom
If you’re looking a ready-to-go resource to pair with your Johnny Appleseed read-alouds, I have this pack of no-prep apple-themed pages. I like to use these for skill practice during September and October!
These activities are designed to add a little apple-themed fun to your everyday lessons. With activities like number tracing, counting, letter identification, rhyming, and syllables practice, there’s enough in this pack to cover most of the skills I’m working on this time of the school year.
Learn About Johnny Appleseed in Your Classroom This Fall!
Reading these Johnny Appleseed books for kindergarten is an easy way to introduce your students to this classic American folk hero. With the right mix of stories and hands-on activities, your kids will walk away with a knowledge of Johnny Appleseed and great memories of apple activities!
You Might Also Like:
Apple Read Alouds for Kindergarten
Apple Tasting Activity (Free!)
5 Apple Life Cycle Activities for Kindergarten
