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One Red Apple
Follow the life cycle of an from fruit growing on the tree to market, to picnic, to seed, to sapling and tree, andfinally to a new apple. This simple, joyful book with radiant illustrations introduces readers to the amazing and delectableway the earth provides food.
36 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Harriet Ziefert
692 books56 followersHarriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.
"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 29, 2019
A simple picture book with a line of text on each page. The illustrations have a folk art feel and they are lovely to look at. Some children pick an apple from a tree full of bright red apples. After eating one and leaving the core for the birds the seeds are scattered and an apple tree grows and one day is full of bright red apples.
A lovely book to read in autumn and a nice look at the circle of life.
Read on open libray
A lovely book to read in autumn and a nice look at the circle of life.
Read on open libray
March 24, 2013
The illustrations really make this book, but the accompanying story is informative and interesting too, though very sparse. The story is simple enough for beginning readers (despite the atypically shaped letters) and would make a fabulous read aloud book one to one or for groups.
I love this illustrator. The pictures look like folk art, which I greatly appreciate. They’re gorgeous. Most of them I’d be happy to have on my walls; they’re that appealing. Prints would make fine decorations for children’s rooms. I love the fold up page showing an apple tree as it grows from little to big. I love that the apple blossoms are shown; they’re lovely. (I’m used to cherry blossoms in my city. When I’ve gone to apple country I guess it hasn’t been the right season for them.)
The story of the life cycle of an apple tree and of apples, while slight, is fun and would also make a great part of an ecology lesson. Perfect for families and school groups about to make an apple picking trip, for gardeners of fruit trees, and for anyone who’s enjoyed apples or is about to try an apple. Sadly, some young children do have their first apple eating experience at ages old enough to mistrust new foods.
Kids are fascinated by nature and of growing things. I am still. I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys children’s picture books. I think every school library and public library should have a copy, or copies.
5 stars for the illustrations, 3 stars for the story
I love this illustrator. The pictures look like folk art, which I greatly appreciate. They’re gorgeous. Most of them I’d be happy to have on my walls; they’re that appealing. Prints would make fine decorations for children’s rooms. I love the fold up page showing an apple tree as it grows from little to big. I love that the apple blossoms are shown; they’re lovely. (I’m used to cherry blossoms in my city. When I’ve gone to apple country I guess it hasn’t been the right season for them.)
The story of the life cycle of an apple tree and of apples, while slight, is fun and would also make a great part of an ecology lesson. Perfect for families and school groups about to make an apple picking trip, for gardeners of fruit trees, and for anyone who’s enjoyed apples or is about to try an apple. Sadly, some young children do have their first apple eating experience at ages old enough to mistrust new foods.
Kids are fascinated by nature and of growing things. I am still. I can recommend this book to anyone who enjoys children’s picture books. I think every school library and public library should have a copy, or copies.
5 stars for the illustrations, 3 stars for the story
January 9, 2010
Intriguing illustrations evoke cozy feelings of crisp autumn mornings and the deliciousness of apples in this simple story showing how the seed from one red apple can grow and make more as a family spends a delightful day apple picking.
November 8, 2018
One red apple finds its way from orchard to market in this breathtakingly lovely picture book from Harriet Ziefert and Karla Gudeon. From that apple comes the seed which produces the tree, complete with beautiful white and pink blossoms, and (of course) red apples.
With only a few words per page, there isn't much to Ziefert's text, which hardly qualifies as a story, although the cyclical rhythm of nature, with red apple producing red apple, is evident throughout. The chief appeal here - and it is more than enough to compensate for the lack of narrative interest - is Karla Gudeon's gorgeous artwork! It has a folksy style - midway between quilt and mosaic - with deep, vibrant colors and whimsical details. High-quality paper stock, a fold-out page showing the growth of the apple tree, and adorable decorative endpapers round out the charms of this appealing title. One Red Apple is apparently only Gudeon's second picture-book - the first being last year's Hanukkah Haiku - so it is hardly surprising that I had not heard of her before. Naturally, I'll be keeping my eye out for her work in the future...
With only a few words per page, there isn't much to Ziefert's text, which hardly qualifies as a story, although the cyclical rhythm of nature, with red apple producing red apple, is evident throughout. The chief appeal here - and it is more than enough to compensate for the lack of narrative interest - is Karla Gudeon's gorgeous artwork! It has a folksy style - midway between quilt and mosaic - with deep, vibrant colors and whimsical details. High-quality paper stock, a fold-out page showing the growth of the apple tree, and adorable decorative endpapers round out the charms of this appealing title. One Red Apple is apparently only Gudeon's second picture-book - the first being last year's Hanukkah Haiku - so it is hardly surprising that I had not heard of her before. Naturally, I'll be keeping my eye out for her work in the future...
September 27, 2012
Simple text and wonderful, old-fashioned illustrations which to me were reminiscent of the old Sesame Street animated shorts.
February 11, 2024
This book seems to be saying apple seeds are scattered by the wind which is...fully wrong?
November 21, 2009
The artwork is gorgeous. But the nice fold up page to show the apple tree growing tall is going to get killed by the first few toddlers whose overindulgent moms don't restrict their use of this book. And I don't think this book needed any sort of gimmick.
December 18, 2025
The illustrations and the seemingly basic text would give you the idea that this is a simple book but it is not. The non-fiction information is engaging and the artwork gives it a whimsical feel. If only the book were printed within the last 10 years, I could argue for ordering a copy for my school library. It definitely deserves a reprint.
May 15, 2018
Sweet book. Darling art and simple prose. loved just staring at the pictures.
January 11, 2019
Celebrating the wondrous possibilities of one tiny seed.
January 27, 2019
The life cycle of an apple
November 12, 2019
Great art, good plot of how an apple seed can grow into an apple tree and the cycle of nature. My little girls loved it.
October 5, 2009
I'm loving apples and everything apple-related right now, so it is a distinct possibility that I overrated this one. However, I like that the text is simple and that the illustrations are really nice, so this will make a nice story time selection. The kids are going to be so sick of apples by the time winter rolls around!!
February 18, 2010
Incredibly beautiful illustrations and text. This is a gentle, but powerful read. However, it does have a fold-out page and I probably wouldn't have gotten it for the library if I'd known since they tend to get ripped on the first or second perusal. I would buy this as a gift without hesitation, though.
October 1, 2010
E Ziefert
A book to use with a wide age range. Simple text for the youngest; emphasis on verbs(pick, drive, buy, enjoy) makes it useful for elementary age. Very pleasant folk art type illustrations.
A book to use with a wide age range. Simple text for the youngest; emphasis on verbs(pick, drive, buy, enjoy) makes it useful for elementary age. Very pleasant folk art type illustrations.
November 20, 2013
The paintings on each page are worthy of quality framing.
The story was a great way to tell the life of an apple seed through an apple tree and back to the apple.
I don't much buy books anymore, but this one is on the list.
The story was a great way to tell the life of an apple seed through an apple tree and back to the apple.
I don't much buy books anymore, but this one is on the list.
March 13, 2010
This a beautiful book perfect to read aloud to group of children...The illustrations are bright and charming. I will definitely add it to my group of books for story time.
July 24, 2010
Great pictures, good for toddlers, non-fiction j634.11
February 5, 2012
Fantastic, fun illustrations
May 12, 2012
Beautiful artwork.
September 15, 2014
Not a lot to this one.
September 21, 2012
The illustrations in this book are amazing! The story traces apples from seed, to tree, to market, and beyond. Not sure about leaving the cores for the birds to eat, though.
October 2, 2012
The illustrations are wonderful.
April 3, 2013
gorgeous illustrations
April 9, 2013
Growing and the seasons are themes here.
February 14, 2015
Good vocabulary.
February 10, 2016
Creative and fun.
February 29, 2016
Love the illustrations
March 31, 2016
This was an ok story time read, but lacking that special spark. The kids like acting out the pages with me, but no one was grinning or on the edge of their seats.
September 23, 2013
Beautiful illustrations and simple, sweet text show the life cycle of an apple.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews