[Apple Picking Time] (By: Michele Benoit Slawson) [published: March, 1999]

by Michele Benoit Slawson

Recalling a time when many families across the country would suspend their regular jobs in order to help the apple growers harvest their crops, Slawson tells the story of Anna, who is determined to fill the apple bin herself this year! Full color.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, Fiction, Nature, Food

Paperback

First published August 9, 1994

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about family togetherness and growing up. Each year, the family comes together with the rest of the community to bring in the apple crop. The narrative is written in the present, but it has the feel of a fond memory.

The inside front cover of the book has some good questions about growing up that will stimulate a good conversation with children.

The illustrations are colorful, with a grainy texture that also evokes the sense of a memory. We really enjoyed reading this book together, and the apple crisp recipe on the front cover inspires us to make some.

[D.J. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this on a friend's "read" post and saw that I had not marked it as read so I read it again just now (I own the book). I used to read it to my children, and then to my first graders during an autumn apple unit. I expected to see some reviews about how the book romanticizes apple picking time. (I did not see any remarks as such and no written reviews less than 3 stars.) That comment could be made; however, this is a children's book with lovely illustrations, multi-generation family and friend units, and honor for those who pick apples. It would have been nice if Dave was out there picking, too (I know some owners who do), but all in all, I've always loved this children's book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl and her family—parents and grandparents—head to the local apple orchards early one autumn morning in this lovely picture book, ready to participate in the annual apple picking time. Determined to pick a whole bin this year, the girl narrates the story of their day—working hard in the morning, stopping to enjoy lunch and some dancing, and then working hard again in the afternoon. Eventually, having picked steadily all day, using the methods taught to her by her elders, the girl meets her goal...

Published in 1994, Apple Picking Time appears to be only one of two books published by author Michele Benoit Slawson—it was followed in 2002 by Signs for Sale —and is my first encounter with her work. Illustrator Deborah Kogan Ray, by contrast, is well known to me from her own picture books. In any case, I found this an engaging look at apple picking, done not for recreation, but for income. It isn't clear to me that the girl and her family are migrant workers—it seems from the narrative that they live in the area—but the work of apple picking is presented as something they do every year. The narrative is quiet and matter-of-fact, depicting hard work, family love and togetherness, and the realization of a goal through steady persistence. I am unsure of the medium used for the paintings—maybe oil paint?—but I thought they captured the mood of the tale, and the beauty of the natural world around the girl narrator. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about autumnal activities like apple picking, as well as those seeking stories about working families and farm labor.

[Carlie Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Fiction
Grade: Preschool-2
Review: The book was about a girl who went to go pick apples with her family. I thought that it was interesting because she really wanted to help out. There were grandparents, parents, and children working in the apple orchards. I think it would be a good book to read during the fall

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the end of August now...when I was under 10, Labor Day weekend usually meant going to Grandpa's house and helping him pick some apples. September and October are my favorite months. This book and everything like it always makes me so homesick for the Southern Maryland woods, a Pennsylvania backyard, a very high field in Northern Colorado, and the fall every year.

[Katya Lazukina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who works with her family in a apple field.
The book topic is about working hard. I think this is a great topic because kids need to be motivated and this book could do just that.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family, with other families, work picking bins of apples. They get tickets punched for each bin they fill and a little girl works hard to get one filled all on her own. Gorgeous illustrations.

[Maddie Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable read!!!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5

[Helena Akuany · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nostalgic and warm depiction of a seasonal tradition that emphasizes family and community.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl tells the story of picking apples with her family. Her goal for the day is to pick at least 1 full basket of apples. She works hard all day and finally is able to earn a 1/2 moon punch on her purple ticket.

A sweet story of fall harvest time. One glaring problem: readers are never told what the purple tickets mean. As an adult, I assume that is how the harvesters are paid, but children are never offered any kind of explanation.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great autumn read. Almost chose this for an October read aloud. The girl in the story picks apples with her mother, father, grandparents and community. She is excited that this is the first year she can carry her own apple bag and punch her own apple ticket. An endearing read.

[Emily Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bought this at Powell's today... couldn't resist the beautiful illustrations and autumn theme. Wonderful children's book.
"Sometime after the summer is spent but before the jack-o'-lanterns are lit, it's apple-picking time..."

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 3 out of 5]

Warm, multi-generational apple-picking story. The text is a bit long in places, but the coziness of the story (even dancing during their lunch break) and illustrations make it a good story to pair with OWL MOON.

[Amy Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blackbird and Co. does a reat Fall Stories Literature Unit, using thi book (and others)

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice story about family and achieving goals!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a different twist in the many picturebooks on apples - this time it is a family of people getting paid to pick the apples and the little girl is proud she can help.

[Michelle White]

This book would be good to use in a unit on different types of families. I got it at the IUS Library.

[Amber Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice mentor text for narrative writing and discussing artifacts for a writer's notebook.

[CFAITC]

Describes the old-time way of picking apples and the emotions and pride Anna and her family gain.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely written and illustrated. A good story about a day in the life of a migrant worker during the fall harvest.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for children! Love everything about this book.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed it, but it was too slow for my son.

[Casandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multi-generational apple picking. The whole town joins in.
Apples

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe teach about family traditions with this book?

[Julia Martin]

Traditions are extremely important to making up ones character. Through these illustrations children can connect with their history and their background while realizing that all children celebrate their families in different ways.