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Apple Countdown
Apple facts and counting combine in this fun trip to the apple orchard.
Field trip today―to the apple farm! Count 20 name tags, 19 kids on the bus, and 18 miles to the farm. There are 14 cows and 13 ducks (10 white and 3 black) and 12 rows of apple trees. Count the apples in your sack, count 3 pies to eat (divided into 20 pieces), and all too soon it's 2 p.m., time to go! But wait―Lee has a number 1 surprise. Joan Holub's creative countdown, from 20 to 1, includes grouping and simple addition. Her multicultural students enjoy all that the apple farm has to offer, from counting the cows and ducks to picking different varieties of apples. The inside cover of this cheerful book is filled with apple facts.
Field trip today―to the apple farm! Count 20 name tags, 19 kids on the bus, and 18 miles to the farm. There are 14 cows and 13 ducks (10 white and 3 black) and 12 rows of apple trees. Count the apples in your sack, count 3 pies to eat (divided into 20 pieces), and all too soon it's 2 p.m., time to go! But wait―Lee has a number 1 surprise. Joan Holub's creative countdown, from 20 to 1, includes grouping and simple addition. Her multicultural students enjoy all that the apple farm has to offer, from counting the cows and ducks to picking different varieties of apples. The inside cover of this cheerful book is filled with apple facts.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
8 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Joan Holub
369 books1,234 followersNY Times bestselling children's book author:
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
GODDESS GIRLS series + HEROES IN TRAINING series (w Suzanne Williams); THIS LITTLE TRAILBLAZER a Girl Power Primer; ZERO THE HERO; I AM THE SHARK. Lucky to be doing what I love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
March 27, 2019
Did you know that apples are 25% water and that is why they float? Well, I didn't either. This is just one of the facts written on the inside covers of this cute counting book.
A class takes a field trip to an apple orchard. Along the way, they count down from twenty. Items in the countdown are the number of kids on the bus, the number of steps to the farm, and the number of ducks in the pond. Of course, there is a whole bunch more to count and a load of trivia about apple growing.
I enjoyed this book. The whole book was done in rhyme which made it appealing. Another things I liked about the book was the students were all diverse characters, including their teacher, Mr. Yee. Each had colorful names and clothing too.
I loved this book as a whole and is quite different from usual counting books. I give this book 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received this book from the author. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon
A class takes a field trip to an apple orchard. Along the way, they count down from twenty. Items in the countdown are the number of kids on the bus, the number of steps to the farm, and the number of ducks in the pond. Of course, there is a whole bunch more to count and a load of trivia about apple growing.
I enjoyed this book. The whole book was done in rhyme which made it appealing. Another things I liked about the book was the students were all diverse characters, including their teacher, Mr. Yee. Each had colorful names and clothing too.
I loved this book as a whole and is quite different from usual counting books. I give this book 4 stars.
Disclosure: I received this book from the author. The views expressed here are 100% my own and may differ from yours. ~Michelle aka Naila Moon
August 28, 2017
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
This was one of the books that Miss 3 chose. She really liked it! It was nice that as well as counting, it also had lots of fun information about apples in it. Miss 3 had fun identifying colours and animals as well.
This was one of the books that Miss 3 chose. She really liked it! It was nice that as well as counting, it also had lots of fun information about apples in it. Miss 3 had fun identifying colours and animals as well.
October 15, 2020
A fun rhyming and counting book about apple picking, which is an activity that many children can relate to so it was met with enthusiasm by my targeted kindergarten audience. There are apple facts throughout and one page of multiplication. Of course, the young ones didn't pick up on the multiplication, but that part would be good for older grades.
Great for: K-2nd
Teaches: counting, rhyming, science
Great for: K-2nd
Teaches: counting, rhyming, science
July 16, 2018
A nice picture book for k-2nd grade that teaches counting down from 20 and some addition. Not a big fan of the illustrations. At one point it throws in some multiplication which might be confusing to younger kids.
December 28, 2020
Counts down from 20-1 using various things. I felt like the author tried to make a plot out of something that could have been more successful as a simpler book. I'm not planning on using it again in future units.
September 11, 2017
This book about a class going on a field trip counts down from 20 in rhyming text. Contains great facts about apples and a cute ending. Great for an apple storytime.
February 19, 2020
Lee seemed to be totally stealing the spotlight. - Matthew
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2020
It's a great book teaching children how to count and children also learn about facts about apples too.
June 22, 2023
This book isn’t exactly the highest quality, but Bee loved it and read it over and over, so 4-stars it is!
October 25, 2023
A big disappointment.
September 9, 2025
A field trip to the Applebee's Farm to pick apples starts a fun countdown from the number twenty to the number one.
February 15, 2026
While I liked the story, I think some parts of it had confusing language for children.
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October 13, 2015Title: Apple Countdown
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: (if different than author) Jan Smith
Genre: Counting Picture Book
Theme(s): Mathematics, Seasons
Opening line/sentence: “Field trip day! Hooray!" says Jose.
Brief Book Summary: This book revolves around Mr. Yee’s classroom field trip to Applebee’s farm. Starting with the number 20, the book sequentially counts down to 1, telling the story of the field trip through numbers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Holub, Joan Apple Countdown 32 pp. Whitman 2009. ISBN 978-0-8075-0398-0(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Smith. A class visits an apple orchard in this clever countdown from twenty to one. The rhyming text and cheery illustrations invite audience participation in counting objects: "'My seven apples are green,' says Christine. 'My six apples are red,' says Ted." A subplot involving a loose tooth ("wiggle, wiggle") adds a dash of humor. Apple facts are featured on the endpapers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Hazel Buys A young classroom prepares for a field trip to an orchard. Short, rhyming text counts down from twenty, as the children find nametags, get on the bus, count the miles, and arrive at Applebee Farm. A diminutive train takes the children on a ride through different apple varieties in the orchard to the location where the children pick their own apples. Numerous learning opportunities combine counting with facts about apples and the farm environment. The rhymes continue in the illustrations of the seasons, the apple growing cycle, and the discussion of different apple products. The illustrations' use of clean, bright colors and the descriptive clothing and accessories give each child a distinct personality while also echoing the organic shape and the solid, bold color of apples. The number described in text on each two-page spread is also written on a red apple in the upper lefthand side of each spread. The end papers list apple-related facts, such as apple products, varieties of apples, and where apples grow. This book would be fun to use in elementary counting lessons or as an aid for learning basic math, botany, and agribusiness facts in pre-school or early elementary classrooms. Reviewer: Hazel Buys
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with both recommendations that Jan Smith’s use of bright colors and upbeat illustrations are very inviting and enjoyable for readers. The Hazel Buys recommendation specifically stuck out to me. I thought her incorporation of this book into a basic math lesson was clever, and appreciate her mentioning the various learning opportunities this book offers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is perfect for young readers with it’s colorful images, big, bolded text, and simple storyline. As each page is flipped, an apple in the upper left hand corner counts down from 20 to 1. As each page in this book revolves around a different scenario that relates to the specified number, this sequential countdown is easy for children to follow along.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would definitely use this book in my classroom as an introduction to a basic counting lesson. This book could also be incorporated into a lesson about fruit/nutrition, specifically focusing on apples, since many apple facts are presented throughout the text. I think this book would have many uses in a pre-school/Kindergarten setting.
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: (if different than author) Jan Smith
Genre: Counting Picture Book
Theme(s): Mathematics, Seasons
Opening line/sentence: “Field trip day! Hooray!" says Jose.
Brief Book Summary: This book revolves around Mr. Yee’s classroom field trip to Applebee’s farm. Starting with the number 20, the book sequentially counts down to 1, telling the story of the field trip through numbers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Holub, Joan Apple Countdown 32 pp. Whitman 2009. ISBN 978-0-8075-0398-0(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Smith. A class visits an apple orchard in this clever countdown from twenty to one. The rhyming text and cheery illustrations invite audience participation in counting objects: "'My seven apples are green,' says Christine. 'My six apples are red,' says Ted." A subplot involving a loose tooth ("wiggle, wiggle") adds a dash of humor. Apple facts are featured on the endpapers.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Children's Literature - Hazel Buys A young classroom prepares for a field trip to an orchard. Short, rhyming text counts down from twenty, as the children find nametags, get on the bus, count the miles, and arrive at Applebee Farm. A diminutive train takes the children on a ride through different apple varieties in the orchard to the location where the children pick their own apples. Numerous learning opportunities combine counting with facts about apples and the farm environment. The rhymes continue in the illustrations of the seasons, the apple growing cycle, and the discussion of different apple products. The illustrations' use of clean, bright colors and the descriptive clothing and accessories give each child a distinct personality while also echoing the organic shape and the solid, bold color of apples. The number described in text on each two-page spread is also written on a red apple in the upper lefthand side of each spread. The end papers list apple-related facts, such as apple products, varieties of apples, and where apples grow. This book would be fun to use in elementary counting lessons or as an aid for learning basic math, botany, and agribusiness facts in pre-school or early elementary classrooms. Reviewer: Hazel Buys
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I agree with both recommendations that Jan Smith’s use of bright colors and upbeat illustrations are very inviting and enjoyable for readers. The Hazel Buys recommendation specifically stuck out to me. I thought her incorporation of this book into a basic math lesson was clever, and appreciate her mentioning the various learning opportunities this book offers.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: This book is perfect for young readers with it’s colorful images, big, bolded text, and simple storyline. As each page is flipped, an apple in the upper left hand corner counts down from 20 to 1. As each page in this book revolves around a different scenario that relates to the specified number, this sequential countdown is easy for children to follow along.
Consideration of Instructional Application: I would definitely use this book in my classroom as an introduction to a basic counting lesson. This book could also be incorporated into a lesson about fruit/nutrition, specifically focusing on apples, since many apple facts are presented throughout the text. I think this book would have many uses in a pre-school/Kindergarten setting.
February 25, 2010
I make my applesauce the way my mom and grandma did--with McIntosh apples. Best flavor, best texture. No need to throw in three or four other varieties just to have them. And you're likely to get what in the Bronx we call "mish-mosh".
This is mish-mosh. Too much in one package.
It's nice that she tried to rhyme each verse with a student's name, but the rhymes are limp, their scansion awkward. Then she insists on throwing in facts, lore, counting, colors, etc. It's distracting and takes away from the story. Disappointing.
This is mish-mosh. Too much in one package.
It's nice that she tried to rhyme each verse with a student's name, but the rhymes are limp, their scansion awkward. Then she insists on throwing in facts, lore, counting, colors, etc. It's distracting and takes away from the story. Disappointing.
January 19, 2010
In this apple countdown tale, the students in Mr. Yee's class go help Farmer Applebee pick apples. Throughout this rhyming adventure, students are counting down from 20 to 1, sometimes using grouping and simple addition. It would be great to use this book to introduce those concepts to young students! The illustrations are bright and vibrant and apple facts are included on the front and back covers.
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November 23, 2015This book is so cute. Kids can count by looking at the pages and placing their fingers on each object and counting it individually. It differs and has many things to count that relate to the book. This book takes place on a farm and has different object and things for students to count. You could use this in the classroom by having the children draw a picture from the book and use different objects to count.
June 20, 2013
"Apple Countdown" is good math book to read to count up to twenty. The illustration are very colorful and vivid. The book gives a good review of how apples grow and when the apples change colors what they mean. At the begin of the book it has ten facts about apples to teach children. A great learning experience would be to take a field trip to harvest apples and see how many the class can pick.
March 24, 2014
I thought this book was super cute and perfect for teaching how to count and also rhyme as well. The whole story can apply to students as well which makes it easier for them to enjoy the book and reading it. You can do a lot with this book, maybe even go apple picking and have them count the same as how they do in the book.
June 28, 2014
My five-year-old son picked this book out from the library this week.
This book tries so hard to be so many things, and doesn't succeed very well at anything. The "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" kind of rhyming is cute, but it does feel tired, especially when mixed in with other "teaching" text.
The illustrations are OK, but not spectacular.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
This book tries so hard to be so many things, and doesn't succeed very well at anything. The "Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover" kind of rhyming is cute, but it does feel tired, especially when mixed in with other "teaching" text.
The illustrations are OK, but not spectacular.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars.
October 16, 2014
Why do I do this to myself? I already found Pumpkin Countdown tedious to read, but since my son loved it, I dug up this one, and it's the same, only with apples. Now I get to read TWO of these books back-to-back.
February 11, 2019
I think this book is very good to use for numbers. I like that the numbers start at 20 and go down so it's easier to stay on track and for children to follow. The book uses characters to help follow along as well. It has many pictures and also spells out the number with given the written number.
March 9, 2009
This is a book about counting and going to an apple farm. The rhyming text is nice and I think it will be extra nice to have as a read aloud in the fall. Ages 4+
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September 27, 2013Count down with students on a field trip to an apple farm, where they count cows and ducks and pick different varieties of apples.
February 11, 2011
counting through the teens
April 7, 2011
Diverse counting book about a field trip that a class takes to the apple farm. Love it for it's diversity but the age range and reading ability is very limited.
September 29, 2012
This book counts up to 20! A group of children takes a trip to the country to pick apples. Features rhyming and some cool kid's names.
October 2, 2014
Lots for preschoolers to interact with in this book! Kids love to count so this bookis ideal for them!!
September 18, 2016
This is a good book for older age group of pre K.
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April 21, 2017This book is about a teacher who takes her students to an apple farm. These kids area ll from different countries, so some of them have never seen animals or a farm before. This book is not only multicultural, but also has to do with math. This book would be great for younger students who are learning how to count, and can also learn their farm animals.
April 22, 2018
20’ den geriye doğru saymayı öğrenmeye başlayan minikler için ideal kitap :) iyi okumalar
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews