5 Sweet Picture Books About Apples
This week has been all about apples, starting with our review of apple picking at Craigie’s Farm, and then my recipe for a simple and yummy apple crumble. So to keep in with the theme, my latest round-up of book recommendations is all about apples too! Clockwise, starting from the top:
- Apple Pie ABC, by Alison Murray – At first glance, this is a simple alphabet book, but what sets it aside from other ‘A is for…’ books, is that the letters aren’t stand alone but tell a story. The story of an adorable little dog, trying to get his paws on some yummy apple pie. I had to read this to my youngest three times in a row when it arrived.
- How to make an Apple Pie and see the World, by Marjorie Priceman – Baking an apple pie is easy. Just get the ingredients at the market, mix them, bake them, and serve. Unless, of course, the market is closed. Then you need to go to Italy for your wheat, France or your eggs, Sri Lanka for your cinnamon, and England for your milk. And don’t forget the apples from Vermont! A fun way to learn a bit about other countries around the world, and at the end of the book there is an easy apple pie recipe to try. Easy, unless the market is closed, of course.
- Johnny Appleseed, by Reeve Lindbergh (author) & Kathy Jakobsen (illustrator) – I first learned about John Chapman, known as Johnny Appleseed, when I spent some time in the US as a student. He was a pioneer and missionary, who introduced apple trees to large parts of the US, and was known for his kind and generous nature. There are several children’s books that tell his story, but I particularly liked the illustrations in this one.
- Bad Apple. A Tale of Friendship, by Edward Hemingway – When Mac the Apple meets Will the Worm, they quickly become best friends. But apples and worms aren’t meant to go together, and the other apples in the orchard start being mean to Mac and calling him names and saying he’s a “bad apple”. Will doesn’t like to see his new friend being bullied, so he leaves and the other apples accept Mac back in to their group. But after a lonely day without his best friend, Mac decides he’d rather be a ‘bad’ apple with Will, than a sad apple without him. A lovely story about standing up to peer pressure and liking who you like, regardless of what others think. The illustrations are really cute too.
- The Apple Pie Tree, by Zoe Hall (author) & Shari Halpern (illustrator) – This is the only one on the list we haven’t actually read yet, but it was recommended to me by a friend and has since made it’s way on to our books wish list. The collage-style illustrations follow the life cycle of an apple tree, as it grows first leaves, the blossoms, and finally apple which are picked and made in to an apple pie. Apparently the book even included an apple pie recipe at the end!
Do you have any other favourite picture books about apples? Please feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below!
Please note that the book links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. That means if you buy any books via these links, I receive a small percentage – at no extra cost to you! – which helps to keep this blog running. Thank you.
Ger ( It's Me & Ethan )
I never knew there were so many books about apples ! I love these , sadly my lot are too old for these now but I do have a little niece who is just the perfect age for these ! Thanks for the idea x
All about a Mummy
I love the sound of Bad Apple – the perfect story to help kids stand up to peer pressure!
Emma
I’m always looking for new books for the boys… these look great.
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs
What a great selection, very Autumnal. I must admit we don’t have any of them. I think “How to make an apple pie and see the world” looks like a fun book :)
Alex
Lovely books sadly my little one is too old for them. We love reading in our house :)
Beth @ BethinaBox.com
Oh, these look really lovely. I have 3 kids at the perfect ages for these.