Apple Tree
Stopwatch Books. Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
Describes in simple text and illustrations how an apple develops from a blossom in the spring to a ripe fruit in the autumn.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-6
Length
25 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think happens inside an apple tree during the different seasons?
Why do you think bees are important to apple trees?
How do you feel when you see the pictures of the tree changing throughout the year?
What can we do to help take care of the trees around us?
If you could be any part of the apple tree, which part would you choose and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the colors and shapes they see in the illustrations, fostering their observation skills.
Discuss the role of bees in pollination to subtly introduce environmental awareness.
Relate the changing seasons in the book to the seasonal changes your child observes in their own environment to make connections to the real world.
Ask your child to imagine what they would do if they were a part of the apple tree, encouraging creative thinking and empathy towards nature.
After reading, consider planting a seed or visiting an orchard to transform reading into a tangible experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of patience
Explanation: The story illustrates the growth cycle of an apple tree, showing that good things, like the fruiting of a tree, require time and patience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that some rewards are not immediate and that patience is essential in everyday activities like learning a new skill or waiting for a special event.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Caring for the apple tree throughout the seasons educates children about the responsibilities involved in nurturing living things.
Real-World Application: This can translate to taking care of pets or helping with chores at home, instilling a sense of responsibility from a young age.
Example Lesson: Understanding nature and seasons
Explanation: The book explains how seasons affect the apple tree, offering educational insights into the natural world.
Real-World Application: Children can observe and discuss changes in the environment around them, promoting a connection with nature and seasonal awareness.
Example Lesson: Healthy eating
Explanation: The story highlights apples as a result of the tree’s growth cycle, promoting fruits as part of a healthy diet.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to make healthier food choices and understand where their food comes from.
Example Lesson: Cycle of life
Explanation: By following the life of the apple tree through its phases of growth, bloom, and renewal, the book introduces the concept of life cycles.
Real-World Application: This helps children grasp the idea of birth, growth, reproduction, and death in a natural and accessible way.