Are you looking for some Apple themed children’s books to use in your classroom that include literacy extension activities? This list may be just what you are looking for!
Apples can be a great theme to engage your students. It is filled with some exciting literacy experiences to explore. You may have had the opportunity to read some of these Apple books already, but hopefully some will be a new adventure for you and your kids. Explore with your children the theme of Apples by trying these engaging books and some of the extension activities suggested.
1. Apples by Gail Gibbons
Explore the history of apples and how families and farmers grow and care for apple trees. The reader is taken from planting to selling and then turning this delicious fruit into tasty treats. The detailed pictures show the parts of the apples and diagrams of an apple tree.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Apples”
- “Apple Senses” Student Booklet
- How Does an Apple Tree Look? Seasons Worksheet
- Apple Core Art Project
2. Apples A to Z by Margaret McNamara
A group of animal friends lead readers through an apple alphabet. From apple buds through the X on an apple pie, children learn the science behind an apple along with some very fun facts.
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Alphabet Book: A is for Apple
- “How Many Apples?” Student Booklet
- Apple Poem Art Project
- Apple Letter & Sound Match Game
3. I Am an Apple by Jean Marzollo
This book is an introduction to the life cycle of an apple. The author follows the fruit’s journey from a tiny bud on a tree to a large, juicy fruit. It is illustrated with colorful and beautiful cut-paper art.
I Am an Apple is a fabulous introduction to facts about apples for young children. The collages of vibrant colored pictures give the images a real-life effect.
Literacy Extensions:
- Apple Word Bank
- “Apple Senses” Student Booklet
- “Apple Poem ” Art Project
- Apple Sight Word Match Game
4. Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
A wonderful counting book, ten red apples hanging on a tree. Yippee, fiddle-dee-fee! But they are not there for long. Horse, cow, donkey, pig, hen, and the other farm animals each eat one.
“Save one for me,” calls the farmer. But what about the farmer’s wife?
Count on the author to solve the problem happily. Make sure you count the red apples before they are all gone!
Literacy Extensions:
- Classroom Book: “All About Apples”
- Apple Retelling Story Organizer
- Apple Roll It! Read It! Short Vowels
- Apple Letter & Sound Match
5. The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll
The characters, Clayton and Desmond are back and bigger than ever in this companion to the New York Times bestselling series!
As another year at Mouseville School begins, the students will be learning all about apples. They are starting with a contest to find the biggest one ever!
As usual, Clayton the town mouse and Desmond the country mouse are each eying the prize. But when they can’t find the biggest apple, even after they decide to work together, will they just give up? Or do they have another trick up their sleeves?
Literacy Extensions:
- “Apple Senses” Student Booklet
- Apple Story Sequencing Student Worksheet
- Apple Sight Word Match Game
- Apple Number & Ten Frames
6. Our Apple Tree by Gorel Kristina Naslund
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 through the seasons.
First the 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. These include the insects that pollinate the flowers to deer that eat the fallen fruit.
Literacy Extensions:
- Apple Word Bank
- Apple Literature Retelling Organizer Student Page
- Apple Make a Short Vowel Word Game
- Apple Roll & Cover Math Games
7. How Do Apples Grow by Betsy Maestro
This is a Level 2 Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science book. This means the book explores more challenging concepts for children in the primary grades and supports many of the Science standards.
This book has great illustrations to show the growth of an apple. It tells you the season apples begin to grow. The illustrations show how the seed and apples are formed. . This book makes a great tool to teach children in about apple growth.
Literacy Extensions:
- “Apple” Classroom Book
- Apple Student Story
- Apple Sight Word Match Game
- Apple Build 2 Addend Addition Number Sentences
8. An Apple’s Life by Nancy Dickman
The author introduces the reader to the life cycle of an apple. From showing how it begins life, grows, and reproduces. Before you go apple picking, read this book to find out how apples are created.
From seed to seedling, tree to blossom, flower to fruit, and the life cycle of an apple is beautiful to see. The book has large colorful photographs on every page and big font to make it easy to read.
Literacy Extensions:
- Apple Writing Station Words
- Apple Match Game
- Apple Art Project
- Apple Roll & Cover Math Game
Finally, there are so many back to school children’s books you can choose from. From back to school fiction to nonfiction, the list of books is endless. Remember to pick the books that best fit the needs of your students or children and support your learning activities. Happy Reading!
Find some more literacy and extension activities in my store, The Teaching Scene by Maureen.
To read more blog topics check out my blog, “A Guide to Using Literature-Based Units of Study.”
