Apple Batter [Hardcover]

Deborah Turney Zagwyn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

In Deborah Turney Zagwyn's distinctive world, the countryside is awash in color, and the seasons set the rhythm for life. This is the parallel story of mother Loretta and son Delmore. While Loretta works patiently to coax the first apples from her small orchard, Delmore ardently practices his swing, wanting only to hit a baseball "fair and true." The poetic text and radiant watercolors effortlessly reveal how sweet are the fruits of perseverance, and that one of love's best rewards is striving, side by side.Educators, please visit our Resources section, above, for teaching guides and curricula. 

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-A story of perseverance and optimism that's as American as baseball and apple pie. Loretta loves apples and longs to grow them, and her son Delmore loves baseball and dreams of becoming a hitter. The woman has grown many things but never an apple, and the boy can throw and catch but has never hit anything but fouls. Five years have passed since Loretta planted three apple trees, "One for the past, one for the present, and one for the future." Though she has cared for them faithfully, this is the first year they have born fruit. Likewise, her son has persisted in his attempts to become a great hitter. This lighthearted tale gives equal weight to both goals and reveals the parallels in their attainment. With pictures of a spiral-peeled baseball and an apple in a baseball glove, as well as with wordplay, Zagwyn has created a wonderful read-aloud. Assorted in shape and size, the expressive watercolor illustrations depict the warmth between a mother and son who respect one another's ambitions. As a bonus, batting pointers and a recipe for apple crumble are appended. A gentle tale of joy in accomplishment.
Maryann H. Owen, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This is such a satisfying, delicious book--a story about the separate passions of a mother and son, with ironic language that isn't too tough for children to follow and reassuring rhythm and repetition that will make it an instant story time favorite. Loretta, who has never grown apples before, plants three apple trees: for the past, the present, and the future. Her eight-year-old son, Delmore, is focused on something else--baseball. Batting is his downfall. So, as Loretta composts and prunes, snips and polishes, Delmore practices batting, day after day. Dog loves them both and wags his tale, for "that was his nature." In the end, mother and son find their hard work pays off, with baseball and apples coming together in an unexpected fashion. The illustrations, resembling batik in their watery silkiness, are as strong as the text. The figures are slightly exaggerated in form and expression as a foil for the sweetness of the color and line, and there is a profusion of images: pictures are framed, bordered, exploded to the ends of the pages, or lined up like box scores. The last page offers an apple crumble recipe and excellent advice on batting skills. Step up to the plate! GraceAnne A. DeCandido

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883672929
• ISBN-13: 978-1883672928
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,597,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Packed with good stuff!, August 23, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Apple Batter (Hardcover)

I love this book for the 5 to 8 year old child. There's a little bit of lots of things in it. It is a sweet story of perseverance with very appealing illustrations. Besides demonstrating the idea that sticking with something (growing apples, playing baseball or whatever) leads to success, there is a nice seasonal component to the story. There are some terrific illustrations of insects and even specific directions for hitting the ball with the bat (which my students enjoyed trying out). There is also a simple recipe for Apple Crisp that my second graders enjoyed making. This book would make a reat addition to any primary classroom.