Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie

by Robbin Gourley

Hardcover, 2008

Call number

E G

Collection

Easy / Picturebooks

Genres

Children's Books

Publication

Clarion Books (2008), 48 pages

Description

From the whippoorwill's call on the first day of spring through the first snowfall, Edna and members of her family gather fruits, berries, and vegetables from the fields, garden, and orchard on their Virginia farm and turn them into wonderful meals. Includes facts about the life of Edna Lewis, a descendant of slaves who grew up to be a famous chef, and five recipes.

User reviews

LibraryThing member trisha1

A lovely book that tells the story of a little girl growing up on a farm in the south. There is talk of the seasons and what will be harvested from the garden. In the back of the book, there is an Author's Note that gives the specifics of Edna Lewis, the little girl that grows up and moves to New

York City. She becomes one of the first African American female chefs in the country. Additionally, there are recipes listed in the back of the book. A great read tying in history, science, and math. This story might encourage some students to read more about Edna Lewis, or look at one of the several cookbooks she published.

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9 more

LibraryThing member my624persona

Edna and her family gather fruits, vegetables, and nuts, from the fields and orchards on their farm, and Edna's got an eye for making that pie.

This phenomenal picture book's got a lot going on-- perfect for a whole instruction unit in a classroom. There's plenty to learn about how different kinds

of foods grow, folk traditions and rhymes, black cultures in the American south, extended families living under one roof. Subtitled "a story about Edna Lewis", the book follows the famous chef before she was famous, or a chef, or even an adult. The end matter includes a brief biography of Lewis and some history about Freetown, Virginia (the town founded by three emancipated slaves, who included Lewis's grandfather) in the author's note, as well as five recipes for foods mentioned in the book. This book would be a fantastic centerpiece for a week of activities in science and social studies for a 2-4th grade classrom, or as a standalone in a storytime, and is certain to pique interest in a kid who finds it on the library shelves.

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LibraryThing member debnance

This book falls right on the line between fiction and nonfiction. It consists of little excerpts from the childhood of Edna Lewis, a girl who grew into one of the best chefs in the world. Each scene depicts Edna and her family picking fresh fruits and vegetables on the farm where Edna grew up. Each

scene includes conversations that might have taken place between Edna and her family members and concludes with a song or a snippet of folklore or a short poem about the fruits and vegetables. The story resonates with rhythm and the joy of country living and country cooking. The pictures are bright and busy. The author’s note at the end tells of Edna’s life and outlines the research the author did to write the book. There is a short list of Edna’s cookbooks and, best of all, the author includes a few of Edna’s recipes.A bit from the book:'A warm breeze is blowing, and it's cherry-picking time. Everyone races to the trees and up the ladders to fill buckets and bellies with the ripe fruit.Edna says, "A deep-dish cherry pie---that'll be the reward for all our hard work."Brother says: "Look at that bird in the cherry tree.He's eating them one by one.He's shaking his bill, he's getting his fillas down his throat they run."

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LibraryThing member mwflood

After reading this book, I was so hungry. The vivid descriptions of the harvest being brought in reminded me of the stories my dad told me of him working the farm as a youngster.

This would be a great story to teach kids about healthier foods like fruits and vegetables as well as farming.

LibraryThing member nbmars

Edna Lewis was an African American chef and author best known for her books on traditional Southern cuisine and for her pioneering efforts in the natural foods movement. She won numerous awards for her cooking and her books, and was the first recipient of the James Beard Living Legend Award. This

book tells about her childhood on a farm in Virginia, and harvesting and tasting the bounty of her family's farm. The text is mouth-watering and interspersed with folk sayings, songs, and rhymes. Delicate and enchanting watercolors capture the appeal of farm life, and there are even kid-friendly recipes included (Strawberry Shortcake, Corn Pudding, Apple Crisp, Pecan Drops, and Nut-butter Squares). If you don't finish this book craving a fresh peach pie with peach ice cream on top, you are a stronger person than I!

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LibraryThing member bunwat

Its a fairly simple and straightforward picture book about a family gathering and eating different foods at different seasons. Charming, nice pictures, and the recipes look good too. Definitely worthwhile for people who are trying to interest kids in learning about food beyond the shelves of the

supermarket.

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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26

Growing up on her family's farm in Freetown, Virginia - a settlement of freed slaves co-founded by her grandfather - Edna Lewis learned that food tastes best when it's "sun-ripened and freshly picked," knowledge that would stand her in good stead in her future career as a chef. Bring Me Some Apples

and I'll Make You a Pie is a fictionalized account of Lewis' childhood, of the seasonal crops - from spring strawberries and salad greens, to summer peaches and fall apples - she helped to gather, and the mouth-watering dishes made from them.

As my friend Lisa has already noted, Gourley's book is commendable, in that it makes fresh produce immensely appealing to young readers. I also liked that it ties the food on our tables to the crops on the land, emphasizes the natural growing seasons of the year, and highlights the achievements of an African-American woman who was a pioneer in many ways. The narrative incorporates folk sayings and rhymes from the American South, and is paired with vibrant, colorful watercolor illustrations, also done by Gourley. All in all, this is an appealing picture-book, both informative and entertaining!

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LibraryThing member roni.rawlins

Summary:
Apples taste best when they're sun-ripened and freshly picked. That's something Edna Lewis discovered as a child in Freetown, Virginia, a farming community of freed slaves established by her grandfather. *Book Jacket Description

Personal Reaction:
I liked this book because Edna's family grew

their own crops when she was a child. That is where she learned the importance of always using local and fresh ingredients, something she carried with her through her lifetime as she became even a famous pioneer.

Classroom Extension Ideas:
1. This book has Edna Lewis' real recipes in the back. I would allow the class to choose a recipe and we would take a field trip to look for fresh and local ingredients, if possible.

2. We would do an activity that shows what things grow where and what they could grow right there in the center or at home. We could start a garden in the yard.

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LibraryThing member Marlene28

the book has very simple art and simple colors. The girl is sent out by her parents to get fruits and berries. She loves doing this and learns some lessons along the way.
Age 4-5
Source: Steilacoom library

LibraryThing member Salsabrarian

I liked the description of the continual harvests of vegetables and fruits and the ideas Edna and her family had for how they would prepare the different food items. It was a great vehicle for outlining Edna's future professional values as a chef.

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