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Apple Batter
In Deborah Turney Zagwyn's distinctive world, the countryside is awash in color, and the seasons set the rhythm for life. This is the parallel story of mother Loretta and son Delmore. While Loretta works patiently to coax the first apples from her small orchard, Delmore ardently practices his swing, wanting only to hit a baseball "fair and true." The poetic text and radiant watercolors effortlessly reveal how sweet are the fruits of perseverance, and that one of love's best rewards is striving, side by side.Educators, please visit our Resources section, above, for teaching guides and curricula.
- GenresPicture Books
32 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1999
10 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Turney Zagwyn
9 books4 followersSometimes printed as Deborah Turney Zagwÿn or Deborah Turney-Zagwyn.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 7, 2013
Deborah Turney Zagwyn’s book, “Apple Batter” is a delightful story about a mother and her son and their desire to reach their potential.
Loretta and her son Delmore have high ambitions. Delmore is an aspiring baseball player while Loretta simply wants to successfully grow apples.
Loretta is passionate about gardening but hasn’t had success growing apples while Delmore loves the game of baseball but isn’t able to hit a fair ball.
The story takes you through their many unsuccessful attempts at accomplishing their goals and leaves you with many valuable life lessons.
My favorite part is when Zagwyn writes, “At the far corner of the yard Delmore pounded a plumbing pipe upright, waist height, into the earth. He propped his baseball on it. This would be his focus until he got it right. His bat would smack that ball until it dropped directly where he intended it to drop, even if it took months, years, his whole life.”
Another one of my favorite parts is when Zagwyn writes, “When Delmore was three, Loretta planted three apple trees. One for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.”
After years of trial and error both Delmore and Loretta start to see the positive effects of their efforts.
“Apple Batter” is a book that teaches children the importance of having goals and doing what it takes to accomplish them. In addition, a person is going to have to learn from their mistakes, develop themselves and plan for the future.
The author carefully chooses her words and much can be learned from her simple yet thought-provoking poetry.
After reading Zagwyn’s book you’ll likely have a deeper appreciation for a person’s potential and see that both nature and nurture play a large part in one’s success.
Apple Batter is a beautiful story that I highly recommend!
Loretta and her son Delmore have high ambitions. Delmore is an aspiring baseball player while Loretta simply wants to successfully grow apples.
Loretta is passionate about gardening but hasn’t had success growing apples while Delmore loves the game of baseball but isn’t able to hit a fair ball.
The story takes you through their many unsuccessful attempts at accomplishing their goals and leaves you with many valuable life lessons.
My favorite part is when Zagwyn writes, “At the far corner of the yard Delmore pounded a plumbing pipe upright, waist height, into the earth. He propped his baseball on it. This would be his focus until he got it right. His bat would smack that ball until it dropped directly where he intended it to drop, even if it took months, years, his whole life.”
Another one of my favorite parts is when Zagwyn writes, “When Delmore was three, Loretta planted three apple trees. One for the past, one for the present, and one for the future.”
After years of trial and error both Delmore and Loretta start to see the positive effects of their efforts.
“Apple Batter” is a book that teaches children the importance of having goals and doing what it takes to accomplish them. In addition, a person is going to have to learn from their mistakes, develop themselves and plan for the future.
The author carefully chooses her words and much can be learned from her simple yet thought-provoking poetry.
After reading Zagwyn’s book you’ll likely have a deeper appreciation for a person’s potential and see that both nature and nurture play a large part in one’s success.
Apple Batter is a beautiful story that I highly recommend!
January 20, 2016
A mother and son each show perseverance in what matters most to them. For the mother it's growing apple trees, for the son it's learning to bat properly in baseball. Both "hobbies" intersect at the end in a feel good way.
Illustrations are okay.
Illustrations are okay.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews