The Apple Pie Tree

by Zoe Hall
Illustrated by Shari Halpern

Following two young girls and their apple tree through the seasons, The Apple Pie Tree teaches readers how an apple tree goes from being bare and brown in the winter to full of color and delicious apples in the fall.

Told as a simple nature story, information on how bees and weather and even robins are a part of the tree's life will fascinate budding naturalists. Cut-paper collages by Shari Halpern add picture book charm and make readers feel they are a part of family’s adventure with their apple tree.

In this Issue

Painted and Stamped Apple Pie Craft

Apple Pie Parfaits

The Apple Pie Tree Book Play

Painted and Stamped Apple Pie Craft

Get in the mood for autumn with a sweet-smelling apple pie craft. Although it involves several different techniques- cutting, painting, stamping, and stapling- each step is easy and the whole project comes together quickly. The hardest part is waiting for the paint to dry!

Painted and Stamped Apple Pie Craft

Supplies

Paint – We used red for apple stamping and mix brown and white to paint the crust

Paintbrush

Apple – cut in half

Containers for paint

2 paper plates

Stapler

Cinnamon

Scissors

Cut a triangle shape from one of the paper plates to resemble a slice of pie cut from the circle.

Mix brown and white paint together to make “crust” color.

Paint the bottom of the paper plate with the missing piece.

Sprinkle cinnamon on the wet paint.

Slice the apple in half. Put red paint in a container with a flat bottom and one half of the apple in the paint. Stamp the apple on the top of the second paper plate. Repeat, filling the plate with apple stamps.

Once both plates are dry, place the “crust” on the top of the apples and staple around the edges.

Related Post: Another food stamping art project- Carrot Rabbit Stamps.

Apple Pie Parfaits

Make an individual apple pie in a glass that is healthy enough to have for a snack or even breakfast! Layer quick cooked apple chunks with yogurt and granola for the perfect celebration of autumn.

You can use store bought granola or use your favorite homemade recipe, but we've also included a five-minute granola recipe. Yes! Homemade, toasty, cinnamon spiced granola in just five minutes! What are you waiting for? Get your young reader in the kitchen and make some pie together!

Young Readers in the Kitchen

Kids can measure out all ingredients for the granola, and can help layer all the ingredients for their individual parfaits.

Apple Pie Parfaits

Ingredients

granola (use store bought or homemade, or try Skillet Granola, below)

plain yogurt

1 apple

cinnamon

Core apple and cut into roughly 1/2-inch cubes. Place apple chunks in a microwave safe dish. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon over apples. Cover and microwave for 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Allow apples to cool slightly.

Layer desired amount of yogurt, apples, and granola in a glass. Top with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Skillet Granola

Ingredients

1 cup old fashioned oats

1 tablespoon butter

2 tablespoons honey

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients in a large skillet and cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, until oats are lightly brown. You can also add some chopped nut and/or a handful of dried fruit. The possibilities are endless!

Related Post: Birdseed Treat for Young Readers

The Apple Pie Tree Book Play

The Life Cycle of an Apple Tree

Young readers will be fascinated by this exploration of an apple tree, from seed to apple, through the seasons. It's one thing to see it from one page to the next in the book, but to actually watch the seed sprout, tree grow, leaves rustle, and hear the birds, all in just under 2 minutes, really makes the pattern come alive!

Pick Your Own Apples (and pumpkins, peaches, corn, even Christmas trees!)

Not everyone has an apple tree growing in their backyard (if you do, you are awfully lucky!), but thankfully there are Pick Your Own farms. One of our favorite sites is Pick Your Own, which features a state by state guide to farms, pumpkin patches, and farm stands, plus recipes for everything from homemade pumpkin pie to jams and jellies.

Related Post: Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon-Oatmeal Crust