Rain Makes Applesauce

by Julian Scheer, Marvin Bileck (Illustrator)

The stars are made of lemon juice...
...and rain makes applesauce.
Elbows grow on a tickle tree...
...and rain makes applesauce.
Oh, you're just talking silly talk.

This is a book of silly talk. It doesn't pretend to be anything else. And yet it is an extraordinary creation, in which author and artist speak to children in a very special way. The fanciful nonsense and marvelously intricate pictures are full of sly subtleties and happy surprises for both eye and ear.

It is a book of absurd delights, of tiny, fey graphic details, of captivating scenes and lyrical phrases that stretch the imagination. Children will return to it again and again for new meanings, new images, new responses.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Humor, Fiction, Art, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1964

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fabulous nonsense book. This is only a rhyme a page about something crazy and then Rain Makes Applesauce. The artwork is very detailed with many things to check out. If you look carefully, you can see that it rains on apples and then the children pick the apples. If shows the whole process of making applesauce, but you have to look for it.

It took us a while to get through this short book because we had to find all the wonderful things in the pictures. The kids loved this book. They had a lot of fun with it. The nephew was charmed by this and the zany things that are said. He gave this 5 stars. The niece liked this too and the art connected with her, I think. She enjoyed this. It was a 4 star read for her.

[Sophia Triad · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 5 year old daughter picked this book from the library. I asked her why and she said "It is pretty".
I asked her "why is it pretty?"
She said "there is a rainbow on the cover".
We read it together and she didn't really like the lyrical phrases of the book, although she really enjoyed the illustrations.
Personally, I think it is interesting if you are a grown up and you can appreciate the silliness of the lyrics. As a child it is harder to understand and to engage to something that has no meaning for your age and it is not particularly funny.
My daughter was only giggling with the repetition of the phrase: "Oh, you're just talking silly talk"

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It is an extraordinary creation, in which author and artist speak to children in a very special way"... Yeah, a "special way" that gave me the creeps when I was a kid. The nonsense repetition and surreal illustrations in this totally freaked me out. I couldn't stand how they kept saying "rain makes applesauce" over and over. This book is why I've never tried hallucinogens. I'm giving it three stars purely for the talent shown by the illustrator.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was just asked why I like this one so much. So, I guess I'll write a real review.

One of my biggest factors in judging a picture book is the effect on the kids. And the kids LOVE this book. We read this today in story time for 3-5 year olds, and they laughed and laughed all the way through at the nonsense talk. Then we spent another 5 minutes with them making up their own nonsense sentences.

It encourages the kids to use their imagination; and that is something that is being slowly but very solidly pushed out of the picture for kids these days. They need a reason to wonder. I paired it with First the Egg and it was a great segment of fun and thinking at the same time.

[Jim Erekson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks for sharing this, Lu! I love the illustrations, and how they complement the rhythmic free verse feel of the single line text. There's something about the quilted, patchwork look of Bileck's illustrations that reminds me of Arcimboldo's paintings. My favorite one was "The wind blows backwards all night long..." Most of all, I loved reading the inscription inside and knowing it was your copy and that it has a history with your family.

There's a prescient, or on the edge psychedelic thing going on here--about 3-4 years too early to be part of the Seymour Chwast, Yellow Submarine style. Maybe it's more neo-folk? Anyway, I always think of John Lennon instead of Edward Lear when I read nonsense literature.

What do we make of nonsense literature if we can't make sense of it?

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are a little abstract and the idea a teeny odd ... but for whatever reason I like it! It's unique, sarcastically cute, and has a lot to look at on each page spread. Give it a try!

Ages: 4 - 7

Content Considerations: there is a jack-o-lantern visible on one of the pages.

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[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rain Makes Applesauce (restored edition) by Julian Scheer, illustrations by Marvin Bileck. PICTURE BOOK. Holiday House, 1964, 2019. $19. 9780823443611

BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Silly, merry illustrations join the call and response patterned verse of nonsense.

There is an extra pattern to learn, but it will be fun once it is. Much fun for a day of ridiculous play, especially for a preschool. I can see why the illustrations won a Caldecott Honor.

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the lines don’t make sense and are a little odd.
I did like this book though, I think because it’s unique. The pictures have SO many intriguing details to notice and study.
Great resource!

[Relyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

What a completely odd little book. I have NO IDEA why I bought it for my library. It's so weird that I think kids just might like it even if I don't.

[Katherine Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) Book summary, in your own words (3 pts)
-There really is no storyline or plot to this book. Basically, it's all just silly talk that, in some sort of way, makes sense to children in a hilarious way. Though a book about nothing sounds quite boring, it is captivating and promotes even a mature reader's imagination.
2) Grade level, interest level, lexile (1 pt)
-Kindergarten-1st Grade
3) Appropriate classroom use (subject area) (1 pt)
-Science, learning about the weather but mostly for entertainment.
-Johnny Appleseed lesson.
4) Individual students who might benefit from reading (1 pt)
-Students with great imaginations or students that maybe need help exposing their creativity.
-Students who love silly things.
5) Small group use (literaturecircles) (1 pt)
-Students could look through pictures and determine what they think the book is about. Hearing their responses of what they think it's about would be hilarious.
6) Whole class use (read aloud) (1 pt)
-Carpet reading.
7) Related books in genre/subject or content area (1 pt)
-The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
8) Multimedia connections (audio book, movie) available (1 pt)
-None available.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, nonsensical book with lovely, whimsical, appropriately silly drawings - one of my kids' favorites - after each wildly silly statement (e.g., monkeys eat the chimney smoke), "oh, you're just talking silly talk - but the rain makes applesauce!"

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been a pragmatic, practical individual, even as a child, which made it hard for me to enjoy books such as Alice in Wonderland or even a picture book such as this one. Still, even I must admit that the silliness and downright absurdity has appeal for many young readers who will be captivated by the text and those incredibly-detailed illustrations. All the intricacies of those images beg to be poured over for hours, and the repetitive phrase that "Rain makes applesauce," even while it makes no sense to me, will enchant some readers. Having the tiny figures pointing out that all of this is "silly talk" adds to the pleasures of reading the book, and I particularly loved knowing that two beloved children's book creators, Kevin Henkes and Jerry Pinkney drew inspiration for their own work from this book. I was ultimately charmed by the idea of wearing shoes inside out or seeing a house go walking, but I wouldn't have picked this one up as a child. There's just too much going on in these images for my eyes, though.

[Sarah Aeschlimann · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star review - from my kids, not me 😂 This book is totally bizarre - it’s a nonsense book and the style of the illustrations are a little eerie in my opinion, but my kids are FASCINATED by the book. They love listening to each phrase (for example, “my house goes walking every day, and rain makes Apple sauce.”) and then say they laugh and say “noooo!” They think the refrain “you’re just talking silly talk!” is hilarious. This is not my personal choice for a read aloud, but it does stretch the imagination and the details in the illustrations are pretty amazing.

[Luann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this to be just a strange, strange book. This takes nonsense to an extreme level. Even the illustrations didn't really thrill me, although they won a Caldecott Honor in 1965. I think I would have enjoyed this more as a wordless book, and then I would have liked the illustrations more as well.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A major favorite from my childhood (we had the Miami Public Library's discarded copy of the 1964 edition thanks to my grandmother), this is good, silly fun with a wonderful through-line in the illustrations. I always think of it on rainy days.

[(Lectrice Vorace) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Creeeepy.

[Dana Friend-Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great children’s book

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the single most disappointing book I've read so far this year, I'm sorry.

[Stacy Renee (LazyDayLit) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's Picture Books

A book of nonsense! Very fun to read aloud.

[Lindsay Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was weird.

[Kevin Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, the 1960s. I was not born then and did not see the 60s, but I wish I had experienced the spirit of those years. These days, I really enjoy seeing picture books from decades past and "Rain Makes Applesauce" (published 1965) is definitely an old one you'll want to check out.

The book is full of "silly talk", plain and simple. In fact - that's one of the delightful reoccurring phrases in the book - "Oh you're just talking silly talk." That and the title phrase "rain makes applesauce" appear several times in the text and little ones will love repeating these words during read aloud time.

As with most picture books, the art is the star here. It's full of big, double page spreads that are busy, mixed up drawings and collages of sketches and paintings and line art and just all sorts of different wackiness. I imagine the artist made several separate illustrations with different tools and said - "these are the types of artwork I'll put in the book." And then, instead of choosing just one, he put them all in there - stacking, layering and mixing everything together!

This gives the book a refreshing sense of freedom, a wild and eccentric spirit that - as far as I know - is very indicative of the 60s.

On one hand, younger kids will like the rollicking, repetitive text but they may not fully appreciate the intricate illustrations. On the other hand, older kids and parents will certainly love the artwork. So this is a fine gift for all ages. But particularly for those who like a bit of magic, whimsy and nonsense in their life!

[kendermouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first time I checked this book out from the library and read it to my kids, I knew it was special.

The silly phrases and recall responses got their attention immediately, and in less than five minutes, they were already laughing and calling out the main phrase back to me, and they've loved it ever since.

Even now, with them all being teenagers, and the eldest graduating, it's still the one book that seems to have stuck with them the most, out of everything I've ever read to them.

All anyone has to do is say, "You're just talking silly talk!" and you'll get every one of them replying back with, "I know I'm talking silly talk, but RAIN MAKES APPLESAUCE!" (And yes, they usually do shout that last bit.)

I would not recommend it as a bedtime story if your kids are exciteable and difficult to settle down. Also not recommended if you're too tired to deal with bouncy kids or repetition, because it does have a tendency to create both.

I would, however, recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind a bouncy, semi-repetitive narrativee, or anyone with kids who like silly, nonsensical type things. It's not quite the same thing, but if your kids like Dr Seuss, it's a pretty safe bet they'll like Rain Makes Applesauce.

I'd also recommend it for someone looking for a book that allows simple, easy interaction with your kids while you read it. It takes little to no coaching to have them calling out the title line when narrative demands it.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Critical thinking at its best is discovered with the experience of reading and/or listening to this intriguing picture book. The repetition of language patterns, reminiscent of ages 0-2 year books, and the fascinatingly complex illustrations are used very effectively in stimulating 4-7 year old thinking. Incongruent, impossible statements are made like: “The wind blows backwards all night long and rain makes applesauce. Oh you’re just talking silly talk.” The illustrations inconspicuously show the progression of making applesauce from seed to stove by 4-7 year old children while the larger focus of each illustrated page offers enchanting pictures for each impossibility. The whimsy and the detail in these drawings are mesmerizing! The repetitive word patterns and the visual picture clues encourage beginning readers, ages 4-7, to read this book. The pictures show children interacting with other children in common and unusual forms of play and the “wildness” of the incongruence encourages children to learn about the world, be more independent, perhaps, and to explore the world of their imagination.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of silly nonsense rhymes (except for the phrase about rain and applesauce).

This feels like something straight out of Alice in Wonderland. Kids who like imaginative things or silliness may be attracted to it. I have to say I do think the illustrations earned the shiny sticker on the front. They are intricately detailed even if the topics are silly.
[Added Sept 2021]: So I think restoring the illustrations helped me to notice in this reading that tucked away in the shadow of the sillyness in each illustration is a scene about the real process of making applesauce. It is very easy to miss, but a boy and girl by apple seeds, plant a tree, wait for it to grow (thanks to the rain), harvest apples, cut them up, and then cook them into applesauce throughout the book. See if observant eyes can find the truth in the midst of the silliness. That part of this book makes it a good read for those about to make applesauce. I also enjoyed Pinkney's note before the new restored addition about how the illustrations in this book have been inspirational and integral to his career as an illustrator.

[Morgan Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rain Makes Applesauce is a children's story that allows children to interpret the plot in whichever way they please, opening up their creativity. Everything written in the book isn't true and is considered to be "silly talk". It goes on about things like the stars being made of lemon juice, how the wind blows backwards all night, and monkeys eating chimney smoke. The book ends with how the reader knows they're only reading silly talk, but how rain really does make applesauce.

Because this book was written back in 1964, the reader doesn't see much diversity through people, which reflects to its cultural history. There are aspects like the chimney smoke and how the houses look throughout the book that also reflect on that time period. Children at any time are known to have a wild imagination, which is what this book exemplifies. This aspect of imagination leads into the fact that children today would still enjoy reading this book. The illustrations throughout the book are so creative that any child would be intrigued while reading, even though it is over five decades old.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for a book that has some sort of gold or silver award medallion on the cover. This one is a Caldecott Honor recipient. I have learned, however, that I'm not always on the same page as the award committees. Silly, nonsensical books can be fun, and I try not to let my own tastes dictate what I read to my children. I've suffered through plenty of repeated readings of stories that have a nails-on-a-chalkboard effect on me. But even my littles didn't like this one, and they are very into "silly" these days. They sat there in a confused silence during the reading. While very detailed, the illustrations weren't engaging to my children nor to me. The whole thing feels like it wanted to come across as fanciful and imaginative. Instead, it just came across (to us, anyway), as...well, weird. It is a rare thing to read a library book only once before returning it, but there were zero requests for this one again while it was in our possession.

[Melissa Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

An odd book this was, being a folklore I wouldn't expect much else. Rain Makes Applesauce was a runner-up for the Caldecott Medal in 1965 and was one of the top 10 best illustrated children's book of 1964. This book has little words making it good for young children. This could also be used as a first reader. Honestly, the book did not have much of a story just silly words paired together to make you laugh. I absolutely love the illustrations however, the attention to detail was amazing. Everything was hand drawn and looked to take time to do so. For that I gave it 4 stars, even though it did not have much of a story the book worked well together and I would recommend it to anyone.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most beautiful -- and liltingly poetic -- children's books I've ever seen. This is one of the essential books for anyone looking to create a library of the very best picture books; it would also be a unique present for anyone who appreciates good illustration. And it's a great read-aloud book, but be prepared for a child to want to stop and pore over the pictures.

Marvin Bileck's illustrations are detailed and intricate, delicately colored,and wonderfully inventive. And although this book was published in 1964, the drawings look completely contemporary.

[Lorna · Rating 3 out of 5]

1965 Caldecott Honor

Favorite illustration: The title page with the view of the town and the title suspended on or by umbrellas.

Favorite line: Hmm. Hard one; they are all pretty odd.

Thoughts: Kids, especially ones taken to wildly imaginative imagery, might like this more than I did. The pattern of the text is that some nonsense activity is followed by the phrase, "but rain makes applesauce." None of the activities struck me as cute or clever, but just rather odd.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 2 out of 5]

• 1965 Caldecott Honor Book •

I really just didn’t get this book and the illustrations were a little weird for me - however, I did really love the idea of a jelly bean jungle!

What really fascinated me was when I read the cover flap about the author, Julian Scheer. He was the Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs at NASA from 1962 to 1971! Fascinating. I wondered if this book that’s mostly nonsense grew out of having such an intense job??