Step into Reading author and Christopher Medal winner David Harrison's poems and stories have been widely anthologized and translated. Total sales of his books exceed fifteen million. David's work has been presented on national television and radio. Harrison has been a musician, scientist, editor, and businessman. He holds degrees from Drury, Emory, and Missouri State universities. He is poet laureate of Drury University. He lives with his wife Sandy in Springfield, Missouri.
Mike Wohnoutka is the illustrator of many books for children, including Moo! (an ALA Notable book and a Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon selection), Can't Sleep Without Sheep, Just Like My Papa, Stay Close to Mama, Dad's First Day, Hanukkah Bear, and This is Not a Cat. A graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design, Mike lives with his wife and two children in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Johnny Appleseed was an important historical figure, well known for planting apple orchards across the new frontier. But he was also a master storyteller! In his own folksy voice, Johnny Appleseed tells his story to a couple of entranced children in this fictionalized Step 2 title. Readers learn how he started planting apple trees—and about some of the myths and true stories of his life.