In his knapsack he carried his Bible and as many apple seeds as would fit as he headed for the West.
God's Faithful Planter - John Chapman
Young John was restless. It was hard to keep his mind on schooling and the farm chores. By 1792, when he turned eighteen, his feet were itching for travel. His father handed him a parting gift and said "As long as you carry God's Word, your path will be straight." To Johnny, the Bible was a fitting treasure.
   
Although Johnny headed west, the roads he took weren't always straight. Leaving Massachusetts behind, he climbed mountains, followed dusty trails, floated down singing waterways, and wandered all over the newly settled wilderness.
   
In his knapsack he carried his Bible and as many apple seeds as he could stuff in. The only roots he knew were those he planted for others, the rich growing roots of seedling apple trees. He needed always to move, to cover ground, but he left behind a trail of apple trees for those who would later follow that same way.
   
People grew used to the sight of the thin barefooted man with his knapsack on his back and wearing his cooking pot for a hat. Johnny knew pioneer settlers, townsfolk, Indians, and the wild critters of the outdoors. In time, everyone thought of him as Johnny Appleseed.
 
The Sowers Series Biographies offer children a chance to experience the Christ-inspired pathways followed by some heroic men and women. Their impact on our lives as well as a great deal of factual information is skillfully presented to the child within the framework of an interest-holding story. Over the years, the Sowers Series books have established their appeal with a wide range of readers. Parents write in to say how much they enjoyed the books while reading them to their children. Children seek out additional titles in this series once they have read their first “Sowers” book.