How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

by Marjorie Priceman

Take a fun filled romp around the world and see apple pie in a whole new way. When the market is closed, the young heroine go directly to the sources for the necessary ingredients, be it England, France, or Sri Lanka, and still makes it home in time to make her pie. Apple pie may be the typical American dessert, but this book shows us that it's flavors of the world that make it so delicious. This is the tastiest geography lesson we've ever come across!

In this Issue

• Apple Parachute Action Painting
• Watching and Learning - Apple Pie Ingredients
• Apple Hand Pies
• Off the Shelf Shop - Apples

 

Apple Parachute Action Painting

Drawing inspiration from the parachute illustrations in the book, the painting activity gets you and your young reader outside on a crisp autumn day. We used traditional apple colors, but let your young readers' imaginations dictate the color choices. 

Apple Parachute Action Painting

Supplies

• Apple
• Paint
• Plastic grocery or garbage bag
• Toothpick
• Paper plate or other palette for paint
• Paper

1. Cut apple in half. Cut a thin slice (about 1/4 inch) from one half of the apple. 
2. Cut a large square from the plastic bag, about 12 inches square. Using  toothpicks, secure the four corners of the plastic to the apple slice. 
3. Pour paint onto the paper plate and lightly dip the apple slice into the paint. 
4. Place paper on the ground. Stand and hold the parachute, paint side down, and release the parachute onto the paper. Repeat as desired. 
5. Let paint dry. 

Extension: Draw targets on the paper and try to get the apple parachutes to land on the target. 

 

Watching and Learning

See how some of the ingredients are really produced!

  

Apple Hand Pies

You cannot read this book without making an apple pie! Since there is a recipe for regular apple pie in the back of the book, we thought it would be fun to make kid-friendly hand pies. Making hand pies also gives young readers more opportunities to help in the kitchen than a traditional pie recipe might offer. 

Apple Hand Pies

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 10 tablespoons cold butter
• 5 to 6 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling

• 5 apples
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter

To Make the Crust - can be made ahead and chilled before or after rolling out and cutting into squares

1. Place the flour, sugar, salt, and cinnamon in a food processor. Process for about 30 seconds until well combined. 
2. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Pulse until the mixture looks like small crumbs. 
3. Add the water one tablespoon at a time and pulse until the dough comes together. 
4. Place dough on a floured work surface and flour dough. Roll out to a 12 x 16 inch rectangle. Cut into 12 4 inch squares. 

To Make the Filling and Pies

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Peel, core and chop apples and place in a medium saucepan with the sugar and butter. Cook over medium-low heat until the apple are soft, 10-15 minutes. If there is liquid remaining in the pot, drain the apples (save the liquid for pancakes!).
2. Place from 2 tablespoons to a scant 1/4 cup of filling on each square of dough. Fold over diagonnaly and crimp with a fork. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut a vent in each pie. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden.

  

Off the Shelf Shop

As you unwind this Apple Surprise Ball, toys, charms, silly trinkets and candies spill out of every few layers. It’s pure joy in a ball!

This apple tree screen-printed tee is a perfect fit for your tiny farmer or pie baker.

This set of 5 Autumn Apples and wooden bucket is a wonderful addition to your nature table, fall decor or pretend play kitchen.

These apple note cards can be customized with your young reader's name and his or her favorite color. Comes in a set of 10 with coordinating envelopes. 

 

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