This biography of John Chapman will be well received by beginning readers. Demuth shares the most appealing facts about her subject’s life: enjoying nature and, of course, planting the seeds for apple trees across the unsettled West. Montgomery’s artwork is above average for this genre. Several double-page spreads are beautiful in their simplicity and effectively reflect the historical period. Here is a Johnny Appleseed story that can be read independently or read aloud in September when units about apples are popular.