The Magic Apple

by Corinne Demas

In their travels, three sisters find a magic spyglass, a magic horse, and a magic apple, which they use to help save a sick prince.

Genres: 2nd Grade, 1st Grade

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 4, 2002

About the author

Corinne Demas is the award-winning author of thirty-nine books, including six novels (Daughters, The Road Towards Home, The Writing Circle), two short story collections, a memoir (Eleven Stories High, Growing Up in Stuyvesant Town, 1948--1968), a poetry chapbook, and numerous books for children (The Littlest Matryoshka, Saying Goodbye to Lulu, The Disappearing Island, The Perfect Tree). She is a Professor Emerita of English at Mount Holyoke College and a Fiction Editor of The Massachusetts Review. Along with her family, two donkeys, and a precocious puppy, she divides her time between Western Massachusetts and Cape Cod, two settings that have inspired her books.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on a Jewish Folktale.

There is no mean person or bad guy in this story (other than maybe illness). Everyone works together and is generous and loving.

E Begin book
Ages 6-8

[Alyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this book from my childhood. It was among the first books I ever read on my own. I decided to reread it as an adult to see how much of it I still remembered.
I remembered the three sisters who each set off on their own path in search of adventure. I remembered how each of them returned with an object, and how the magic apple was considered the least impressive of the three gifts. As always, it is important not to judge something we do not yet understand.
I was impressed that I remembered this story after more than 25 years. I also still really love the art style. The story itself is based on a Jewish folktale.

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic fairy tale