20 Picture Books About Apples
Can you believe it’s September already? It feels like the year is going by so fast. When I think about September, I can’t help think about big, bright red juicy apples! In light of that, I am going to share with you 20 pictures about apples. There are so many books that I can think of, however I am just going to include the 20 best books I have read.
If you can think of any picture books about apples that I didn’t include in this post, please feel free to mention them in the comment section below.
At the end of this post I will include a list of all of the books I am going to mention without descriptions, for your easy reference.
How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Price
The very first book on the list is How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman.
This books is such fun! As the title would indicate, the main character makes an apple pie, while literally seeing the whole world in the process.
When the market is closed, the character goes around the world collecting ingredients for her pie. She goes to Italy to get the wheat, to mill into flour. She goes to England to get a cow, for fresh milk, and to Sri Lanka for cinnamon.
2. Ten Apples Up on Top
Book number two is Ten Apples Up on Top by Dr. Suess.
Many of you are probably very familiar with this one. Ten Apples Up on Top is a cute rhyming and counting story for young kids. The funny animals go around counting how many apples they can manage to get up on their heads without letting them drop.
3. Apples by Jacqueline Farmer
Apples by Jaqueline Farmer is next.
This book is very informative and has plenty of full page pictures. It discusses how apple trees are rarely grown from seeds, but rather are grafted. It explains how grafting works. The author also talks about pruning apple trees to keep them healthy, and the anatomy of an apple blossom. This great book even includes a chart, that compares the different varieties of apples based on appearance, texture and flavor, and best uses.This excellent book is full of great information, including a brief history of apples.
4. How to Apples Grow by Betsy Maestro
How Do Apples Grow? is very similar to the book Apples by Jacqueline Farmer. This book by Betsy Maestro is written for a younger audience. It explain the process of apple growing in gentle and informative way that little children can comprehend. It is also filled with lovely full spread illustrations.
5. The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles Micucci
The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles Micucci is yet another very informative book about apples. This particular book is more descriptive than most books about apples. It includes lots of diagrams and plenty of other visuals.
It presents a variety of facts about apples, including how they grow, crossbreeding and grafting techniques, harvesting practices, and the uses, varieties, and history of this popular fruit
6. Apple Picking Time by Michelle B. Slawson
Book number 6 is Apple Picking Time by Michelle B. Slawson.
Apple Picking Time is lovely story book about a young girl named Anna. With lots of apples to pick, everyone in the family must help including little Anna.
This book is filled with beautiful images, and is highly recommended by many including myself.
7. Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz
The next book on the list is Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz.
This is such a funny book. The little kids love it!
Applesauce is a single book in a series about a boy. In this book he helps his father, mother, and sister pick apples to make into applesauce.
The illustrations are charming and the story is entertaining. It goes through the entire process of making applesauce at home.
8. Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove by Jan Cheripko
Number 8 is Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove by Jan Cheripko
A beautifully illustrated book about an old monk who is in charge of the apple grove. Brother Bartholomew is very relaxed about all the animals that come into the apple grove to feast on the apples. Even though many of the apples get eaten by the monastery’s surrounding animals, the monks always have enough apples to sell, to keep the monastery running.Things go very smoothly for the monks, until a new brother comes along. Brother Stephen.
Brother Stephen eventually becomes in charge of the apple grove, and wants to do things properly and keep the animals out. But brother Stephan soon wonders if perhaps the way Brother Bartholomew was running the orchard was better.
9. The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson is next.
This is such a lovely book.
“These are the roots, deep and fine,
that fed the tree, crooked and strong,
that grew the apples, juicy and red,
That went into the pie, warm and sweet,
that papa baked” – The Apple Pie That Papa Baked.
10. The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
Number 10 is The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall.
“My sister and I have a tree that grows the best part of apple pie. Can you guess what that is?”
A delightful story about two sisters who share an apple tree. They observe their tree throughout the seasons. Until finally they can pick the apples and make them into a delicious apple pie.
11. Apples by Gail Gibbons
Apples by Gail Gibbons gives a lively description of the apple growing process. From blossoming to picking this book covers it all.
Apple trees grow in more parts of the world than any other fruit tree. From blossom to pollination to picking, here is information about how they grow, their various parts, and the different varieties. Instructions on how to plant and care for an apple tree are included.
12. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree also by Gail Gibbons is worth the mention.
Another delightful books from Gail Gibbons, The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree is great read about apples.
This book is about a young boy named Arnold, and his very own apple tree. The story follows Arnold and his apple tree through the four seasons. In spring Arnold collects the apple blossoms falling off of his tree. In summer he builds a tree house, and in fall he makes apple pie and cider from the apples. Come winter time he hangs strings of popcorn and berries for the birds to feast on.
13. Our Apple Tree by Gorel Kristina
Our Apple Tree by Gorel Kristina Naslund is number 13.
This is another great picture book that takes kids through the seasons of the apple tree.
The book illustrates the life of an apple tree, from the pollination process all the way to the apple harvest.
14. One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert
One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert is a wonderfully illustrated book told through the eyes of children, that goes through the fruit growing process, to market, to seed, and on to another tree.
Follow the life cycle of an apple: from fruit growing on the tree to market, to picnic, to seed, to sapling and tree, and finally to a new apple. This simple, joyful book with radiant illustrations introduces readers to the amazing and delectableway the earth provides food.
15. Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell
We are getting close to the end of the list. Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell is number 15!
Join Alex and his sister Abigail as they help their family pick and process lots of apples. And read as they take the less-than perfect apples and turn them into rich apple cider.
16. Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
I know there are many different versions of the tale of Johnny Appleseed. I think I’ve read five separate ones at least.
I particularly liked the wording of this specific by Reeve Lindbergh, complimented by the beautiful illustrations done by Kathy Jakobsen.
17. Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson
The next book is Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson
The lively tale of a family working together to make applesauce. They have lots to do, from buying the apples, to peeling them, chopping them, cooking them, and finally getting that first taste!
18. The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll
The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll is a story about a city mouse and a country mouse trying to find the biggest apple for the competition.
The two mice end up working together to win. It’s a cute little story with sweet illustrations.
19. Autumn is for Apples by Michelle Knudsen
Autumn is for Apples by Michelle Knudsen is the next book on the list.
“Apples are my favorite snack–
all juicy, red, and round.
I love how every tasty bite
comes with a crunchy sound.”
A lovely rhyming books for little kids, that gets them familiar with the apple picking process.
20. Apples and Pumpkins by Annie Rockwell
Apples and Pumpkins by Annie Rockwell is the 20th and very last book on this list!
I thought that this book would be the perfect ending to our challenge as it is not only about apples, but also about pumpkins, what with October fast approaching.
“When red and yellow leaves are on the trees,” a little girl goes with her parents to a farm where they pick apples and choose “the best pumpkin of them all.”
That’s the entire list! As promised here are all of the books in one place for easy reference.
1. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
2. Ten Apples Up on Top by Doctor Suess
3. The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles Micucci
4. How Do Apples Grow by Betsy Maestro
5. Apples by Jacqueline Farmer
6. Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson
7. Applesauce by Shirley Kurtz
8. Brother Bartholomew and the Apple Grove by Jan Cheripko
9. The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
10. The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
11. Apples by Gail Gibbons
12. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
13. Our Apple Tree by Gorel Kristina Naslund
14. One Red Apple by Harriet Ziefert
15. Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell
16. Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindberg
17. Applesauce Season by Eden Ross Lipson
18. The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll
19. Autumn is for Apples by Michelle Knudsen
20. Apples and Pumpkins by Annie Rockwell
I hope you enjoyed this post and found the list helpful. As I mentioned at the beginning, if you have any picture books about apples to add to this list please mention them in the comment section below!
Happy Reading & Writing!