A is for Autumn

Welcome autumn with Robert Maass' A is for Autumn (c.2011), a photographic alphabet salute to one of the year's most delightful seasons.  This title is great for preschoolers and great for early readers.  And the photographs make it an overall "feel good" kind of book, perfect for the change of season.

The Apple Pie Tree

Some folks swear by The Apple Pie Tree (c. 1996) by Zoe Hall and illustrated by Shari Halpern.  We think it's a cute book, but we're not exactly turning cartwheels over it.  Two siblings watch the growth of an apple tree and its nesting robin family through the progression of the seasons.  Come fall, they pick the apples to bake an apple pie.  The younger set seems to particularly enjoy this simple sequencing story.  It's a good precursor to visiting the apple orchard or baking an apple pie with your toddler/preschooler.

Johnny Appleseed

Don't let this apple season pass by without reading the kids an edition about Johnny Appleseed.  There are many different editions out there, and I haven't seen a bad one . . . yet.  Our family favorite hails from 1967 as told by Solveig Paulson Russell and illustrated by Elfreda.  In fact, I'm rather sentimental about this edition . . . Nana found it in her collection with my name imprinted on the flyleaf . . . ah, the memories!

Apples and Pumpkins

Wow!  Lizzy and Anne Rockwell's Apples and Pumpkins, one of our favorite fall books, received an update.  Take a look at the 1989  cover:

And compare it to the new 2011 cover:

Here's the publishers description:
In Apples and Pumpkins, a little girl spends a glorious fall day picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkin. This classic story and perennial backlist favorite has delighted audiences for more than twenty-five years, and now it’s been revitalized to reach a new generation of readers. Featuring a new cover and an updated interior with rescanned artwork and reset text, this edition is both familiar and fresh—just like a fall day.

Yep, I knew we had good taste around here.  :)

Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie

 Amelia Bedelia is back!  And this time author Herman Parish (nephew of Peggy Parish, Ameia Bedelia's creator) and illustrator Lynne Avril revised Peggy Parish's classic character from an I Can Read book into a picture book.  Parish and Avril present Amelia Bedelia's beginnings as a young girl eager to experience life and intent to confuse word denotations, thus preserving the humor of Amelia Bedelia.  Jump into fall with Amelia Bedelia (Isn't that just a fun name to say?  I love reading it aloud, too!) in Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie (c. 2010).  You can imagine the catastrophic possibilites with Amelia Bedelia visiting a farmer's market . . . to purchase "Granny Smith" apples . . . to take back to Grandma . . . to bake a pie.  Typically Amelia Bedelia saves the day in spite of her unperceptive mishaps, see how Parish and Avril conclude this tale.

Note:  I personally prefer reading or hearing the original I Can Read mishaps of Amelia Bedelia.  However, the kids seemed to enjoy the update better.  To each their own!

Dappled Apples

 It's apple season!  Wahoo!  That's cause to do a celebration dance as autumn peeks its head around the corner.  The kids and I are mesmerized by the illustrations in Dappled Apples (c. 2001).  Jan Carr's simple, rhyming text tugs the attention of the tots.  But it's Dorothy Donohue illustrations that beg an encore.

Donohue crafts her illustrations by creating art collages from handmade, textured cut paper.  It has prompted me to attempt an art project with the kids modeled on Donohue's illustrations.  We shall see how it works out.

Apples Again

Have you been checking out apple books yet?  Please weigh in, commenting on your favorites!

We've found a few more that I'd like to share with you:

Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell beautifully illustrates the symbiotic relationship between the apple orchard farmer and his/her orchard.  Purmell thoroughly details the process of taking an apple to make cider.  I also love that this book subtly and overtly promotes families and extended families coming together to help one another and enjoy the beauty of the season!

The Life Cycle of an Apple by Ruth Thompson gives a simple explanation of the life cycle of an apple from seed to tree to table.  I'd recommend reading it to a child as young as 2 years due to the short and simple explanations and the accompanying pictures. 

Apples by Ken Robbins also explains the growth process of an apple.  However, Robbins gives a little more wordy text more suitable for an older 4 year old or 5 year old and up.  Robbins' thorough information satisfies the inquisitive child.  Note: this is a Scholastic book, too. 

Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall tells the apple growth process in story fashion, perfect for slipping science to young children who prefer stories.  I'd recommend 2-3 years of age and up.  Note: another Scholastic book.

We've also read a few beginning to read books of Johnny Appleseed.

Apple

We're quickly approaching that time of year when we make our annual family trip to the apple orchard!  And boy, we can hardly wait!  We come back with bushels of apples to share with family and to hoard for ourselves while we're baking apple crisp, apple pie, apple muffins, and making ham apple sandwiches.  It's taken me many tries and many years, but I've finally found a good apple pie recipe.  I've also tweaked my very own apple crisp recipe, which the kids and I make several times a month during the fall.  My mother-in-law, Nancy, makes an incredible apple spice cake that my husband, especially, adores.  I have tried many a time to replicate that cake, but I've finally given up all disappointing attempts.  Last year, my mom tried a new recipe for apple bread that had a praline topping.  Yep, it was another winner.  But Kathy . . . Kathy made the ultimate apple dessert.  Let me set the stage: she invited us to her home outside of Asheville.  It's perched on a mountain, so as you're sitting on her porch, you're looking into these beautiful hardwood trees.  Did I mention the mountain stream winding it's way below?  As we're enjoying the scenery, Kathy pulls an amazing apple tart out of the oven.  I'm here to tell that this tart is a true rustic beauty, cooked to perfection on her baking stone.  But that's not the half of it!  When you pop a bite of that tart into your mouth . . . well, let's just say it's a little taste of heaven on earth!  But the best part is that she gave me her recipe.  Now we can enjoy that calorie stuffed apple goodness whenever we want!

Okay, so now that I'm salivating and wishing for a pastry, what does all this have to do with children's books?  Well, around here, we get ready for apple season before it even starts!

The kids' two favorite apple books are Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell and Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington.  Quite honestly, I'm not exactly sure why these are such a hit.  Both books feature simple text and illustrations.  However, the kids request these two over and over and over again.  And we read them over and over and over again, right on up until Christmas.

I suggest picking up Apples and Pumpkins before you visit the apple orchard.  It sets the stage by chronicling a typical visit.  The type is large and easy to read, while the font mimics handwritten print, making this an excellent choice for those budding readers in your home who are ready to "spy" words.

One nice thing about Apple Farmer Annie, other than the name Annie, is that it's also available in a Spanish edition: Ana Cultiva Manzanas.  Wellington packs each illustration, making this a good book to count and "spy" items.  And here's where the baking comes in: the last two pages include recipes for applesauce, apple muffins, and applesauce cake.

Please note: we will be checking out more books on apples, pumpkins, and autumn in the coming months.  If you have any favorites, please share with us!