Author: Görlitz Kristina Näslund
Illustrator: Kristina Digman
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press, 2005 (orig.2002)
Age: 3-7
Themes: apples, trees, seasons
Opening: All winter long, our apple tree rests. But not everyone is asleep.
Summary: (from Amazon) Here’s a whimsical and very useful look at the life cycle of the apple tree. With two helpful tree sprites as guides, readers travel from spring, when the apple tree blossoms, through summer, when the fruit grows, to fall and the harvest. Along the way, you’ll learn about the life of the tree and the animals that visit – from insects that pollinate the flowers to deer that eat the fallen fruit.
I like this book because: the story and pictures do so much more than describe the life cycle of apple trees. I love the magic that is brought to the experience, and amplified by the illustrations! A crisp and juicy example of the chemistry of a perfect picture book!
Resources/activities: Visit an apple orchard if possible, or take your time at a farmer’s market to talk to apple growers, taste a variety and bring them home to share with others! Make apple prints on paper (save to use as gift wrap during the holidays!), make a special apple dessert, or ne of my favorites: grated apple and carrot salad with a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
For more Perfect Picture Book Friday picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
The illustration on the back cover won my heart! What a sweet book to teach children about the many wonders of nature that surround an apple tree. I’m fondly remembering my apple-picking days when I was little and the orchard my family visited that sold the best applesauce doughnuts and spiced cider. This is a perfect book choice for the season. Also, congratulations on Louis, the picture book you illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld! I’m looking forward to reading that book and oohing and ahhing over your sweet illustrations.
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I have sweet memories of the apple season too, but only discovered many more varieties much later. Once at SCBWI conference, my whole table (meet-up/meal) got so caught up in a discussion over apples others were coming over to find out what was going on! Ha!
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Roaring Brook has always been a niche for fabulous books like this! Enjoy the apples!
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I agree!
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I agree with Leslie. That back cover illustration is a keeper! It does have a fairy tale quality. And for some reason, I’m drawn to the image of the half apple…along with the tree in the snow, and the sprites in the tree.
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We’re basically all a bunch of kids, aren’t we! haha!
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Perfect time to share this wonderful story about apple trees and their life cycles. We had apple trees in our backyard when I was growing up and the anticipation of picking the apples was so much fun!
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Ooh! Did you make your own cider? Nothing like home made!
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I remember climbing trees to pick fruit! Such fun, even if it often meant hours of canning.I love your activities, though for some reason I’ve craving apple turnovers! 🙂 Great post, Julie.
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Sounds good to me!
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This looks like a charming book and perfect for right now! Thanks for sharing it with us, Julie.
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Thank you for stopping by!
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I really love how you find these older classics and bring them to our attention! This looks lovely.
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My personal belief, but just reading what came out in the last 5yrs is weak advice for new pb writers.
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