Wholesome Heroes with Rick Sowash: Johnny Appleseed, DVD
Gateway Films/Vision Video, 2008, 28 minutes, $14.99
www.visionvideo.com
Did Johnny Appleseed really go barefoot and wear a pot on his head? You’ll no longer lie awake wondering how to answer these questions.
Folksy host Rick Sowash takes elementary age kids on a documentary experience through the life of this American legend.
Not so much adventurous, but definitely amusing and informational, Sowash uses poems, tall tales, video clips of kids interacting with the story, and a visit to the Johnny Appleseed Museum to entertain and educate about the real Appleseed, who planted trees for early American settlers, as well as loved the Bible and preached the gospel.
Watching the DVD alone might not keep the Nickelodeon set occupied for 28 minutes, but if facilitated by an enthusiastic teacher, the discussion questions and coloring pages could educate a young generation about a real-life hero.
