(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no extra charge to you if you click on a link and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I greatly appreciate all purchases you make using these links. Thank you!)
Earlier this year, I created a course for SchoolhouseTeachers.com called Foods and Food Production, which included information about 26 different foods and how they are grown, harvested, processed, and used.
One of the sections included in the course is a great theme for this time of year. Apples!
Within the apple section, I provided the following:
- introduction questions for students to answer
- links to videos that show a tour of an apple orchard, how apples grow, how apples are harvested, and how they are packed in a facility
- a list of apple books to read
- information about apple seeds and the life cycle of apple trees
- a link to an apple coloring book
- a list of the top ten apple producing countries and states
- links to videos that show how apple sauce, apple juice, and apple cider are made
- three recipes that include apples as an ingredient
- closing questions for students to answer as a recap of what was learned throughout the lesson
Today, I am sharing some of the books about apples that are listed within the course. These are all books I was able to check out from my library.
Nonfiction Books about Apples
These are the books about apples I found in the nonfiction section of my library.
An Apple Tree’s Life Cycle by Mary Dunn
This book discusses the number of apple tree kinds, the life cycle of an apple tree starting with a seed and progressing through the different seasons, and pollination by bees.
Apple Harvest by Calvin Harris
Simple text talks about how apples are ready to be picked in the fall, how the apples are picked, treats apples can be turned into, and asks what other signs show the season of fall.
Apple Harvest by Jenna Lee Gleisner
Simple text talks about apples being picked in the fall and the treats apples can be turned into. There is a recipe for Apple Pizza at the end of the book.
This book discusses the history of apples, John Chapman, the parts of an apple, the parts of a flower, pollination, the process of apples growing, products that can be made with apples, some common apples found in North America, how to care for an apple tree, an apple pie recipe, how apple cider is made, and some apple facts without a lot of text.
Additional Note To Parents: This book does state that apple trees have been in existence for two million years.
Apples by Cynthia Klingel and Robert B. Noyed
This is a level one reader book that simply states the variety of colors apples can be, how apples grow, when they are picked, and a couple of treats apples can be used in.
This book has quite a few words. It discusses how apples are grown, the parts of an apple blossom, pollination, when apples are ready to harvest, some varieties of apples, how apple cider is made, the difference between apple cider and apple juice, how to store apples, nutrition of apples, and the history of apples including information about Roman beliefs, the folktale of William Tell, and the true story of Johnny Appleseed. The end of the book includes a recipe for apple pie and more apple facts and records.
Additional note to parents: Under the apple history section, it states “most apple historians believe that sweet apples were cultivated…around 6500 BCE.”
This book also has quite a few words. It discusses how apples are grown, picked, and used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes. At the end, it shows nine different apple varieties.
Apples, Apples Everywhere! by Robin Koontz
This book shows a family visiting an apple orchard and seeing the different colors of apples, the different sizes of apples, workers picking and storing apples, apple worms (moth caterpillars), an apple game, and apple cider. There are directions at the end of the book for making a dried apple wreath.
Bite into an Apple by Lynn Brunelle
This book has quite a bit of text. It talks about where apples come from, why apples bruise, how apples must be stored, different varieties of apples, how apples are transported to stores, how apples are processed into applesauce, how to use acid such as lemon juice to keep an apple from browning quickly, difference between apple juice and apple cider, how apples are packaged, what to do with a bruised apple, how apples are tested, how apples are picked, a technique for ripening apples faster once picked, how to prevent bugs from eating apple trees, how to keep apple trees healthy, how apples form, pollination, grafting, Johnny Appleseed, and more apple facts.
Additional note: This book does not include a link because I couldn’t find it on Amazon, but I was able to find it at my local library.
From Apples to Applesauce by Kristin Thoennes Keller
This book talks about applesauce, where apples are grown, how apples are picked by hand, how apples are packed and sent to factories, how apples are processed into applesauce and sealed into containers at the factories, where applesauce can be found, and grafting. There is a recipe for homemade applesauce at the end of the book.
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
This book is part of the Let’s-Read-And-Find Out Science series and is a detailed explanation of how fertilization takes place to create apples. It talks about the blossoms, how flowers become apples, animal helpers such as bees, the different parts of the flowers, how the flowers are fertilized, what is inside of an apple, a few varieties of apples, and picking apples.
Additional note: If you want to read this book but can’t find it in your library and don’t want to purchase it, you can watch and listen as it is being read in this video (7:57).
Let’s Cook with Apples!: Delicious & Fun Apple Dishes Kids Can Make by Nancy Tuminelly
This book has some apple history, cooking safety, cooking basics, measurements, cooking terms, what kinds of apples to use for different recipes, tools in the kitchen, ingredients, and some apple recipes to try including an apple-wich, apple sundae, pickled apples, apple chips, apple salsa, and more.
Life on an Apple Orchard by Judy Wolfman
This book has quite a bit of text. It is told from the point of view of a girl who lives on an apple orchard with her family. The book discusses the apple trees, working on the orchard, planting seedlings, the process of grafting (without saying “grafting”), helpful and not-so-helpful bugs, bees, blossoms, pollination, picking apples, grading apples, storing apples, and fun facts about apples.
Out and About at the Apple Orchard by Diane Mayr
This book is about a group of kids going on a field trip to an apple orchard. Before going, they put together a list of questions they would like to answer. While on the field trip, they learn when apples ripen, why there is so much space in between the apple trees, honeybees, what trees need to grow, what compost is, how to prevent pests and what pests are, how apples are picked, packed, and stored, the differences between apple cider and apple juice, products apples can be made into, and fun facts about apples. There is also a floating fruit experiment at the end of the book.
See it Grow: Apple by Dawn Bluemel Oldfield
This book has simple text that shows the parts of an apple tree as it grows starting from a seed, how the apples change as they ripen, the parts of an apple, and some apple facts.
The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles, Micucci
This book is very detailed. It talks about the life of an apple, the parts of an apple, how apple trees are planted, cross-fertilization, grafting, apple blossoms, parts of the blossom, honeybees, how honeybees pollinate apple flowers, how apples grow, how and when apples are harvested, types of apple trees, uses of apples, the amount of apples grown each year, some of the apple varieties, history of apples, Johnny Appleseed, and more apple facts.
Additional note to parents: This book states “apples have been growing on earth for over two and a half million years” and shows a time line depicting millions of years.
The Zieglers and Their Apple Orchard by Alice K. Flanagan
This book talks about the jobs a couple has on their apple orchard, the stages the apple trees go through, honeybees, spraying with chemicals, mowing the grass, checking the trees and apples, having guests visit the orchard, and selling apple items. Some of the pages are a little hard to read due to the color of the text on the pictures.
Who Was Johnny Appleseed? By Joan Holub
This book is part of the Who Was series and tells the true story of John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed.
Fiction Books About Apples
These are the books about apples I found in the fiction section of my library.
A Daddy decides to move from Iowa to Oregon with his large family, so he loads a large box filled with dirt, little plants, and trees on to the back of a wagon. Along the way, there are many challenges (such as a river, bad weather, and a hot desert). Other people think the plants will never make it across the long journey, but Daddy is determined (and maybe a little obsessed) to make it. With the help of the entire family, the plants safely arrive in Oregon and are planted. There is a map at the beginning of the book that shows the progress from Salem, Iowa to Milwaukee, Oregon. The Author’s Note includes information about a real pioneer who travelled a great distance with hundreds of plants and young fruit trees.
Apple Picking Day! by Candice Ransom
This is a Step 1 Step Into Reading book that shows a family traveling to an apple orchard, taking a tractor ride, picking apples, sorting apples by color, and seeing some items made from apples.
Fancy Nancy Apples Galore by Jane O’Connor
This is a Level 1 I Can Read book about Fancy Nancy taking a field trip to an apple orchard with her class. Her friend, Lionel, continuously pretends that something is wrong forcing Ms. Glass, the teacher, to come to his aid and “reprimand” him. When Lionel gets stuck in a tree, other kids think it is another one of Lionel’s jokes, so Nancy finds a ladder to help Lionel. Ms. Glass comes to help Nancy get Lionel out of the tree when she sees what is happening, and Lionel is disciplined for not listening.
Will you read any books about apples today?
For more themed children’s books, check out these posts:
- 14 Children’s Books About Seeds, Plants, and Gardening
- 8 Batty Books
- 25 Books About Grandparents
- 25+ Books About Owls
Brigitte Brulz 