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Summary
Summary
Little Apple Goat is ordinary in every way -- except for one. Instead of munching on oats or grass or laundry left on the line, she prefers to eat fruit from the orchard. But one stormy night, all of the fruit trees in the orchard are destroyed. The trunks are chopped down and the land is cleared. The farm animals cannot imagine life without the orchard, and Little Apple Goat doesn't know how she will manage without her fruit. But time passes, and something mysterious begins to happen on the farm . . . Sweet, colorful illustrations bring to life this clever tale that will charm young readers and also introduce them to the changing seasons.
Author Notes
Caroline Jayne Church studied graphic design in college. She has worked in every field of illustration, but is best known for her children's book illustrations. She illustrated numerous books including I Love You Through and Through written by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak, How Do I Love You? written by Marion Dane Bauer, and You Are My Sunshine written by Jimmie Davis. She also wrote and illustrated several books including Ten Tiny Toes, I Love You Goodnight, I Am a Big Sister, and I Am a Big Brother. She died on April 25, 2018 at the age of 55.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Little Apple Goat has unusual eating habits. Specifically, she likes the apples, pears, and cherries in the nearby orchard. Every autumn, she spends her days there, eating the fruit from the ground. And, each evening, she spits the pits and seeds over the hedge as she returns to her meadow. One night, a terrific storm topples every tree in the orchard, making Little Apple Goat sad. When spring arrives, she notices blossoms peeking over the hedge. Then, one autumn, fruit hangs from the branches of the new trees. All the animals wonder who could have planted them, but readers will know the answer. However, the transition from blossoms just peeking over the hedge on one spread to full-grown trees with ripe fruit on every branch on the next seems rather abrupt and is likely to confuse children. Still, the tale's simple plot, predictable conclusion, and regular pacing make it suitable for group sharing. Colorful cartoon illustrations, done in collage, watercolor, and black ink, add a bit of visual humor and provide enough background details to lead up to the ending.-Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
In this wisp of a tale, the cutie-pie protagonist is "ordinary in every way"-with one major exception: while other goats are content to chomp on garbage and clothes, she loves anything that grows in an orchard. Then, having chowed down on apples, pears and cherries, she does what readers probably wish they could do, if it weren't for the constraints of polite society: she simply spits out the pits and seeds-"Plippety plip!" -as she trots back to the barn. Little Apple Goat doesn't think twice about the long-term impact of her actions until a storm destroys her beloved fruit trees, and all the seeds and pits she's been unintentionally planting create a brand-new orchard every bit as fecund and pretty as its predecessor. Church's (One Smart Goose) cartoon animals and cheery rural scenes, rendered in boldly outlined collages and watercolors, exude a happy, toy-like charm. But kids may be bothered by the way time passes-it takes years for the orchard to establish itself, and Little Apple Goat is still the same spunky kid she was in the opening pages. Ages 3-7. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
Just in time for the autumn apple harvest comes this sweet rustic tale of an ordinary goat--ordinary except for her eating habits, that is. Little Apple Goat eschews the normal goat fare of "last week's leftovers, or Wednesday's washing," in favor of apples, pears and cherries. She trots up to the orchard each fall day to feast, and on her way back home spits the seeds over the hedge. Year follows year, until one day there is a terrible storm that destroys the beloved orchard. But surprise, surprise, Little Apple Goat has sown the seeds of her own happiness (quite literally), and the delighted farm animals enjoy more autumns in a new orchard. Church's watercolor, collage and ink artwork lends a pastoral feel to the illustrations, especially with the flecked-paper backgrounds. Her characters are winsomely appealing with facial expressions to match. This is a delightful addition to autumnal collections. (Picture book. 3-7) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.