Our Apple Tree

by Görel Kristina Näslund, Kristina Digman (Illustrations)

Here's a whimsical and very useful look at the life cycle of the apple tree. With two helpful tree sprites as guides, readers travel from spring, when the apple tree blossoms, through summer, when the fruit grows, to fall and the harvest. Along the way, you'll learn about the life of the tree and the animals that visit - from insects that pollinate the flowers to deer that eat the fallen fruit.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Food

32 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here is the story of two little woodland fairies and their apple tree through the season, focusing mostly on harvest time and all the yummy things that can be done with apples. I found the illustrations both unusual and engaging, and while perhaps not the most scientific text out there, it does a nice job of conveying the basics in a pleasant format. UPDATE 10/2019: I've now read and shared this with my youngest and he was captivated and asked for multiple re-reads. The little fairies (a boy and a girl) really captured his interest and he felt very drawn to the illustrations of the trees throughout the seasons.

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know. I guess this book was just a little strange to me. What was with the two weird kids? Sprites? No clue, really. But they were odd. And the changing size thing didn't work for me. Still, the story itself was fine. Just the basis life-cycle-of-an-apple thing. I do take issue with the assertion that everyone loves apples. It isn't really true...

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The words are short, succinct, and meaningful, but the pictures are absolutely magical and gorgeous. It's about a year in the life of an apple tree and the children who watch it evolve. But really, it's about those wonderful pictures!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little gnome/elf things live in a tree and talk about how their apple tree changes throughout the year. A fairly forgettable book.

[Moses and Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about the life cycle of apples; great introduction for preschoolers, with (mostly) realistic illustrations and actual information.

[Marcos Cortes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day have recipe.

[Rachel Tackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, the author Gorel Kristina Naslund did well in writing the story. The illustrations by Kristina Digman, were so beautiful and were very appealing to all readers in my opinion. The story was about the life cycle of an apple tree and was told from the point of view of the tree's keepers. It gave a lot of detail about how the apple tree developed through each season and then told more about it's needs and how it was pollinated. The story also went on to tell about once the apples are picked or have fallen from the tree. The keepers told the audience different ways to use the apples or eat the apples. Each description in the story was well written and wonderfully illustrated. This would be a great story to read to children when they are learning about science and how plants grow. Since this book was first published in Sweden it can also allow students to see a different perspective from another country that really isn't very different at all. I recommend this book for teaching.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly run of the mill about apples and seasons story is enhanced by curious little people (never explained except they are presumably the "we") which really perked up the text, especially the odd pictures like the girl on a leaf next to an apple core - she at first looked buried which got my attention - then I realized she was sleeping on a leaf above ground. At this point, having looked through a lot of apple books, I am grateful for something quirky.

[Kelda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finn loves apples all the more because of this fantastic book. The illustrations are superb and the little apple tree spirits who seem to guide and nurture the apples' growth and the tree's well being through the seasons are delightful. And there's a recipe for apple crisp in the back, what could be better?

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very charming tale about the seasons and how they apply to the cycles of growth of an apple tree. Readers learn without even realizing it as the story is told by intertwining facts and information with fictional elements. Whimsical artwork is very endearing and allows the reader to visualize the text nicely. My 8 yr old really liked this book.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The text in this book does a good job of showing the life of an apple tree throughout the seasons, beginning in Winter. The illustrations are OK, but the two little pocket-sized children are a little weird -- especially as their size seems to change from page to page.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really 3.5, but I feel generous. I liked the story of the apple tree, but some of the text was hard to read in the coloring of the pictures. I might be using this book for our harvest themed storytime.

[Tamara the Librarian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I personally didn't like the illustrations-- found them kind of blah in color. Book does a good job of explaining how apple trees grow, etc. Booklist gave it a great review.