Apple books & songs
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Gail Gibbons created the all encompassing apple book! This book explores the botany of apples, the history of apples, the pollination process, different types of apples from around the world, and how to care for your own apple tree. Great for young children to learn all about apples before heading out to an orchard.
After reading this book, use the step by step guide to plant and care for your own apple tree. Design an experiment and let your child choose the independent variable (what you change). Ideas include: how many seeds you plant, where to plant, type of apple seed, etc.
Zoe Hall explores the four seasons of an apple tree through beautiful paper-cut illustrations. This is a very ‘digestible’ story for young readers to learn about the entire life cycle of an apple tree AND how to make their own apple pie!
After reading this story, bake an apple pie with children using the recipe provided in the book. If you have access to a fruit tree near you, create a journal to observe and record the changes in the tree as the seasons change.
A fun fictional story of a young girl, Lizzy, nervous for the start of school and how her love of apples helps her overcome her nerves. In the story, Lizzy creates an apple doll to accompany her to school and as a result faces some challenges. In the end her apple doll is what leads her to friends and happiness.
After reading this story, follow the directions in the book to make your very own apple doll! This will allow your children to practice reading and following directions, while enjoying being creative with their apple art.
A Dr. Seuss original that will have children laughing and counting! The book is full of simple illustrations and rhymes to help children read and understand the text on each page. The book is about an apple-balancing competition between a dog, a tiger, and a lion- children LOVE it!
After reading this book, have your own apple balance contest! You can help your children learn to count by balancing real apples on their head or table (or use a similar object if you don’t have apples readily available!)
Lisa J. Amstutz tells a fantastic tale about Maria’s family’s multi-generational tradition of making applesauce. This story is told in rhythmic sequence for all children to learn where applesauce comes from and the science behind it.
After reading this book, make applesauce together! Follow the directions in the book or look up a recipe to cook together (there are lots of crock pot recipes!). As a literacy activity, have your child use the book to create directions and/or a recipe for apple sauce.
Edward Hemingway wrote an adorable tale of friendship between Mac, an apple, and Will, a worm. It is a very witty story about Mac being bullied for his friendship with Will (apples with worms are called rotten) and how he overcomes the bad situation. This book is more than bullying, it is about friendship, kindness, and acceptance.
After reading this book, discuss traits that would make you a ‘Good Apple’ or ‘Bad Apple’ in terms of human personality traits. Ask your children- what you would do if you were Mac or if you were being teased for who you choose to play with? If you have older children- encourage them to write their own witty tale between two unlikely friends!
Reeve Lindbergh wrote a wonderfully informative poem about John Chapman aka Johnny Appleseed. The beat of the poem and rich illustrations take you you back in time to John’s journey. The end of the book provides more facts on John Chapman, but for even more historical information: Read ‘Who was Johnny Appleseed?
After reading this book, plant your own apple seeds just like Johnny! OR.. Create math word problems that involve the planting of apple trees.
For example: If I plant 10 apple seeds and they grow into 6 apple trees with 8 apples on each tree. How many apples do I have now? How many seeds didn’t grow into trees? (Add in 1/8 of the apples are rotten to incorporate fractions, or 12 apples were eaten by animals, or the farmer needs 100 apples next year, how many seeds should she plant?) The options are endless!!!!
Special Shout-Out to a LearningwithOutdoors Subscriber
Erika Abonyi wrote a beautiful book titled, The Gifts of Mother Earth. The book inspires children in their own stewardship after they see first-hand the beautiful effect a single planted seed has on their world. The images are rich and dreamy, showcasing how a cherry tree and Mother Earth transform through each season.
“In a world where harmony with nature is often forgotten, her goal is to bring awareness to children about the importance of respecting nature. After all, our children will one day inherit the earth and be tasked with saving it.”
We love to see passionate people sharing their passion for the natural world with others! If there is something we could do help you share your passion, please let us know!
Apple Songs
Way Up High in the Apple Tree (Action Play)
Way up high in the apple tree (move body to look like tree)
Five little apples smiled at me (hold up # of fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake tree)
DOWN came 1 apple (catch an ‘apple’ and pretend to eat)
Mm-mmm were they good! (rub belly)
Continue song with 4, 3, 2, 1 apples
Way up high in the apple tree (move body to look like tree)
Zero little apples smiled back at me (hold up no fingers)
I shook that tree as hard as I could (shake tree)
DOWN came NO apples (shrug confused)
They’re gone for good!
Nine Little Apples (finger play)
Let children hold up fingers as the sing and at the end make a fist to take a crunch out of their apple
Sung to the tune of “Ten Little Indians”
One little, two little, three little apples;
Four little, five little, six little apples;
Seven little, eight little, nine little apples—
Delicious as can be. Crunch!
*Add descriptive words to change up the song,
for example:
one red, two red, three red apples
one juicy, two juicy, three juicy apples
one big, two big, three big apples
one Gala, two Gala, three Gala apples
