I'll take care of you by Maria Loretta Giraldo illustrated by Nicolette Bertelle translated by Johanna McCalmont

The first things that will strike you about this book are the larger size and the vibrant end papers. Then turn inside and the first page might surprise you because it is all white with a small amount of text on one page a tiny tear-drop shaped seed on the other. Over the coming pages we follow the seed into the ground where rain drops fall and the sun shines and eventually a shoot forms. Then a sapling emerges and eventually "a magnificent leafy tree in full bloom." The tree becomes a home to a family of baby birds. There are flowers on the tree and then apples. An apple falls to the ground and splits open. The seeds inside are carried on the wind. But one seed is left in a rocky crevice. 

"Don't worry. I'll take care of our tiny one."

Do you know who is talking? Yes, it is the beautiful blackcap bird you can see on the cover.

This book was originally published in Italy with the title Avro cura di te. 

The highly understated but impactful opening spread shows a little seed—just a black teardrop shape in vast white space—on the recto, while the text on the verso reads “once / there was / a tiny seed. / So small in the / great, big world, / it felt lost and / lonely.” Readers will undoubtedly be curious to discover the fate of this vulnerable little pip. ... A gentle, soothing, timely story to inspire compassion and kindness. Kirkus

... a stunningly beautiful and unique picture book. Kids Book Review

I read an Italian book review which said: An introduction to the cycles of nature, a touching and poetic picture book on caring, dedicated to those bonds of solidarity and brotherhood that make up the fabric of our lives. And the publisher North South said: This comforting tale celebrates the harmonious relationship between birds and trees, reveals the quiet wonder of our ecosystems, and helps little readers appreciate the care they receive from their family and friends every day. In return, children will learn that they can care for others too and cultivate empathy and kindness.

Maria Loretta Giraldo is a celebrated children’s author who lives and works along the Brenta Riviera in Verona, Italy. Her children’s books have been translated and published all over the world. She is a long-term artistic partner of Nicoletta Bertelle.

Nicoletta Bertelle is a celebrated children’s book illustrator from Italy. Her picture books have won many awards, including a White Raven Award, and have inspired TV cartoons and theatrical performances.

They have worked on other books but some are only in Italian. 

Here is a close up of the Italian cover:

And in Italy you can buy a bag with an illustration from this book!

And here are some Teacher's Notes from the publisher Blue Dot. 

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything recently set up a display in her library (she does this every week or two) filled with books linked to Italy and all things Italian. I say linked because she went way beyond books set in Italy or about the geography of Italy. Her display included books about pasta and pizza. 

Then she added in famous Italians such as Leonardo da Vinci; Galileo Galilei; Marco Polo; Michelangelo; Archimedes; Antonio Lucio Vivaldi; and Leonardo Fibonacci. 

And she added children's book illustrators and authors. You can pop these names into my search to discover their books. 

• Felicita Sala
• Beatrice Alemagna
• Sara Fanelli
• Christina Valentini
• Sergio Ruzzier
• Giovanna Zoboli
• Roberto Innocenti
• Marianna Coppo

She found Maths books that explore the Fibonacci numbers. Current biographies such as Maria Montessori (Little People Big Dreams). Then there are all the picture books with an Italian flavour by Tomie dePaola. I'm sure you know Strega Nona. Oh and what about architecture? She even had a detailed book about the Rennaissance. 

Here are a few of the books from her display but there were SO many more:

The Glassmakers Daughter

Pippo the Fool

A Thousand Glass Flowers

And here are the Kinderbookswitheverything blog posts:

2nd June Republic Day in Italy Festa della Repubblica

Addendum to Festa Books by Italian authors and illustrators

A New House for Mouse by Petr Horácek

Little Mouse has a problem. She lives in a tiny hole. She sees a delicious apple on her doorstep but it is way too big to bring into her little home. 

"My house is too small ... perhaps I should look for a bigger one.' So off she set."

As she moves through the forest Little Mouse sees lots of new homes but alas all of them are occupied. 

"Looking for a new house makes you hungry,' said Little Mouse as she took a few bites of the juicy apple."

Have you worked this out?  Your preschool reader might too.  Yes, that apple is going to get smaller and smaller. Mole says no, Rabbit says no, Badger says no, and bear - well bear seems a bit too scary. Then Mouse arrives at the perfect little hole. 

"There was no one at home. Little Mouse went right in and pulled her apple behind her. It fitted perfectly ... and she climbed into her own bed and feel fast asleep."

Now for the sad news. This book was published in 2006 and so it is now out of print. The illustrations are scrumptious - I do hope you can find a copy in a library. This book is perfect to share with a group of preschool children and it would make a fabulous board book . I wonder if the publisher ever considered doing this. It has peep through holes and a very satisfying story reminiscent of books by Pat Hutchins such as Shrinking Mouse.

I haven't seen these mouse books by Petr Horácek, but I imagine they also explore different concepts and follow the adventures of this same little mouse character. 

Petr’s books have received international accolades and recognition, including Best Picture Book of the Year in Holland for A New House for Mouse. Petr Horacek is a Czech born illustrator who studied for six years at the Academy of Fine Art in Prague before become a graphic designer, painter and author-illustrator. Now living in England, he made his publishing debut with “Strawberries Are Red” and “What is Black and White?”  Puffin Peter was short-listed for the 2012 Kate Greenaway Medal.

Here are some other books illustrated by Petr Horacek. 

Apples for Little Fox by Ekaterina Trukhan

Adult readers have read this plot of this story many times but for a young reader this will be a new story. Fox loves reading and he especially loves mystery stories. He also loves apples and libraries and his perfect day involves collecting a few apples from the trees in his forest on his way to the library! Life is good but Fox would love some action. Then we turn the page and as readers we can see the action is already underway but of course Fox does not know this. A group of masked animals are collecting all of the apples. When Fox sets off to the library the next day all of the apples are missing. 

"A mystery for me to solve! At last!"

As he continues his journey, Fox meets each of his friends and he tries to ask them about the missing apples but everyone is too busy to talk. Finally he reaches Rabbits home where he smells something delicious. Have you guessed what it is?  Spoiler alert - Rabbit has baked a delicious apple pie because everyone is gathering to give Fox a very special surprise Birthday Party! The final words of this book gave me a warm smile:

"In the middle of the party, Fox saw that the whole apple pie had disappeared. But he didn't need to investigate that mystery."

I do have a Pinterest collection of picture books with apples. Here are some other books about surprise birthday parties"

Once again I am so sorry to say this book, Apples for Little Fox, is out of print even though it was only published in 2017. The cover caught my attention - I like the bold, graphic design and I had not heard of this illustrator. She is originally from Russia but now lives in Montenegro (well she did in 2019).

Here are some other books by Ekaterina Trukhan:

Here is her website. And here is a 2019 interview where she talks about her work. And here is another interview where you can see more of her illustrations. 

Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl illustrated by Patricia Metola

"Nana said unusual friendships can be the most powerful of all. 

And deep down in her heart, Britta knew it was true."

Britta's two favourite trees are the apple tree and the magnolia in her garden. Britta is sure these two trees are best friends. 

Her father and sister think this is just a silly idea. Luckily Britta has a wise grandmother. One day magnolia starts to look unwell with patchy bark and brown leaves. Britta makes a plan to save the tree but this is not at all the plan you might anticipate.

"She tied a string with two cups so that Apple could hear Magnolia's sighs, and Magnolia could hear Apple's sweet whistling songs. And she wrapped a long scarf between the two trees so they could feel each other's warmth through the cold winter months."

She also hung lights between the two trees so they could see each other on dark nights. Over time the trees appeared to be moving closer together. Britta is a scientist so she tests this theory by taking daily measurements. In Spring blossoms appear on the apple tree. Then suddenly a blossom appears on the Magnolia. 

Image source: RHS UK

"Trees really can help one another. Trees can send nutrients to each other through a network of fungi in the soil. Trees can send warning signals about environmental change via the same network. Trees can also release a gas into the air to warn other trees of attach by animals or insects." (Author note)

This is a very special book and one that would be a very worthwhile addition to your school library. Check out my Pinterest of Apples in Picture books. If you read the list of labels for this post you can see so many themes here - communication, hope, perseverance, trust, problem solving and the importance of optimism. 

With glowing illustrations from illustrator Patricia Metola, this gentle story explores the mystery of trees, the magic of nature, and one girl’s hope, determination and nurturing spirit. Walker Books UK

What’s not to love about this endearing and effervescent picture book? Kirkus Star review

Here is the web site for Laura Gehl. I would like to also see this book illustrated by Patricia Metola who lives in Spain.

Companion reads to follow Apple and Magnolia:

Mikki me and the Out-of-tune Tree

Little Sap

Duck, Apple, Egg by Glenda Millard illustrated by Martina Heiduczek

Here is part of text of this book. 

Duck on the green,

sun in the sky,

egg in the nest,

apple on the tree,

and me.

Duck in the sky,

sun in the nest,

egg on the tree,

apple on the green,

and me. ...

Me on the green

under the sun

beneath the sky

beside the tree

with the duck

on her egg

in the nest.

Apple in a pie.

Pie in me.

When you see the name Glenda Millard on the cover of a book you know you are in for a treat. Glenda has such a rich grasp of the way language works - the power of a single word perfectly placed. Receiving this text, which I imagine was just one typed page, would surely be daunting for any illustrator. The way authors and illustrators are paired is somewhat of a mystery but often the process is controlled by the publisher. If that is the case here, then I offer huge congratulations to Harper Collins and ABC Books. It is so important for a picture book to employ equal partners - the author pens a brilliant text and the illustrator creates images both worthy of the words but also images that take young readers beyond the words into another realm of imagination. I had not heard of Martina Heiduczek but she has made this simple picture book truly special. I love the limited colour palette especially the moss green grass, the blue house roof which matches the pants worn by the small child and the perfect red she has used for the shiny apples. 

Image source: Booktopia

I now discover Martina did the illustrations for the wonderful Senior Primary novel - We are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad.

I am going to predict Duck, Apple, Egg will be included on the CBCA 2021 Notable titles which will shortly be announced.  Take a look the teacher notes. This book should be added to every Preschool book shelf and it would make a joyous gift for a young child too.

The illustrations have a charming slightly European feel to it – that green is so very fresh but Australian children will love it. StoryLinks

You can’t help but smile when you read this picture book. It pulls you back into your childhood and the delights of being in nature, doing nothing in particular and loving it. Kids Book Review

Glenda Millard is the author of the wonderful Tishkin Silk series along with these picture books:

Duck and the Darklings

Lightning Jack

A plague of unicorns by Jane Yolen

The making of the Unicorn

Take this bone, this ivory,

This slender pyramid, this spear,

This walking stick, this cornucopia,

This twisted instrument of fear,

This mammoth tusk, this pearly thorn,

This mythic spike, this maiden's bier,

This denticle, this rib of time,

This alabaster harrow - here

We start the beast, we give it name.

The world will never be the same.

When you read a book by Jane Yolen author of over 300 books (Owl Moon) you are immediately in the safe hands of a wonderful storyteller.  How can you go wrong with a book about unicorns?  One of my childhood favourites was The Little White horse by Elizabeth Gouge - and on a more recent re-reading it has certainly stood the test of time.

I love the chapter headings in this book A Plague of Unicorns :

1.  In which we are introduced to a short history of the unicorn plague
2. The short history of the unicorn plague part two
4.  In which James asks too many questions and gets too few answers

The plague is happening in the orchards of Cranford Abbey.  There are five different varieties of apple trees but the unicorns have discovered the prized golden Hosannah apples.  Each year, on their fall migration, they stop at the Abbey and feast on these precious apples - taking all but the few growing on the highest branches.

Abbot Aelian decides to send for the heroes but sadly, even though hundreds turn up, they all fail because none were prepared for the actual battle.

"You did not say it was a herd of unicorns.  ... A single hero cannot possibly face all of them."

Meanwhile little James is living in Castle Callander about fifty miles from the Abbey.  His is a curious boy and his constant questions frustrate every adult and most remain unanswered.  It is only his older sister Alexandria who will take the time to either answer him or take him to explore the castle library which is a fabulous place.

James asks questions like these :

Why does the sun rise in the morning?
Why do some babies sleep all the time and others not at all?
How can a country change its name?  Can I change my name?
Do roses come in black for funerals?
Why do maids dust things when it's dust they should be removing?

His uncle decides (even though James is very young) to send him to the Abbey where he might learn the value of silence.  Luckily for the Abbot, James is able to hold back a little on his questions and even though he his desperately homesick he listens to the discussions regarding the unicorn problem and he comes up with the perfect solution.

This is a slim book but I really enjoyed the setting, heroism and ingenious solution to the unicorn problem. After reading A plague of Unicorns an older reader might enjoy books by Tamora Pierce or John Flanagan.  We also have a little series of books by Jane Yolen about Merlin as a young boy.

After no success, the abbot finally calls upon the most unlikely of heroes, one suggested by no other than young James. That hero is small and unprepossessing but possesses the skill to tame the beasts. Though wildly skeptical, Abbot Aelian must risk everything and believe in this recommended stranger or risk the fall of Cranford Abbey.  KidsReads

Applesauce weather by Helen Frost illustrated by Amy June Bates

I am not sure how I came to find this little verse novel but I am so glad I did.  This is a gentle story about a brother and sister - Peter and Faith and their Uncle Arthur.  Each year Arthur and his wife Lucy arrive at the farm in time to harvest the first apples but this year is different.  Sadly Aunt Lucy has died and Faith wonders if her precious Uncle will feel he is still able to come.

Faith

All day, Mom's been saying, Don't expect
him, Faith. Try not to get your hopes up.
Chances are, he won't come this year.

But where
         did this gingerbread come from,
                with the warm lemon sauce
                            he loves?

It's not it could magically appear
the minute Uncle Arthur
came walking through the door.
Mom had to buy the lemons
           and bake the gingerbread
                    so she could cut this piece
                    for Uncle Arthur
                    and he could ask for more.


Take the time to read this interview with Helen Frost where she explains the real life connections which inspired her story.  Here are a set of teaching notes.  Take a look in our library for another special poetry book by Helen Frost called Step Gently out.  Read this star review in Kirkus.

I would follow this book with books like Sarah Plain and Tall,  Pearl versus the world, Little dog, Lost, and  Missing May.  Here are some more verse novels you might try to find.

Apple Pigs by Ruth Gary Orbach

Many years ago a Teacher Librarian friend and I were chatting about books perhaps books on a theme - I don't remember and the title Apple Pigs was mentioned.  I did not know this book but my friend exclaimed it was one of her favourites (and as a Teacher Librarian she has read thousands of books so this is a big call).  I knew we had this book in our school library but it was in very poor shape.  I am not sure how it had missed being culled.  I pulled it off the shelf and put it safely into my office planning to read it to classes but limit the actual loaning.  Later that year I gave it to one of our most talented Kindergarten teachers. She loved this little book and so did her class and YES they even made apple pigs.

While I was on holiday in January this year I visited  Deniliquin in NSW and I walked into the local newsagency.  They have a splendid book section and one of the first books I spied was Apple Pigs in a brand new edition and in hardcover.

This little book was originally published in 1976.  It is written in rhyme and it is a treasure.

Apple fritters,

apple-ade

apple custard

Father made.

Apple strudel,

apples dried,

apple pigs were

Mother's pride.

I would follow this book up with Jam by Margaret Mahy which is a huge favourite of mine, The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall and The Crooked Apple Tree by Eric Houghton.  Apples are a minor theme in our school for our Kindergarten classes so we have a good selection of stories about apples and non fiction books about this delicious fruit too.  Here is a collection of other books - we don't have all of these in our library but you might find some you can enjoy.

One of the things they mention in this book is an Apple Pan Dowdy.  I was curious so I looked for a recipe.  It sounds as delicious as the name.