Fall is not only synonymous with apple picking but also with the scent of a freshly baked apple pie. After reading Apple Picking Time by Michele Benoit Slawson, the next logical book to pick up is How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman. The first step in making a pie is to gather the ingredients. Nothing could be simpler. Unless, of course, the market where these items are to be purchased is closed.
The closed market sends the heroine of this story across the globe to gather up the ingredients. This gathering adventure highlights every conceivable form of transportation: steamship, train, bicycle, sailboat, elephant, car, banana boat, airplane, parachute, and bus. And, it shows the uniqueness of each country that makes it the perfect spot to produce each ingredient.
The lively illustrations hint at some of the characteristics of each country. First, you will have the opportunity to see the golden grain fields of Italy followed by the elegant streets of Paris. Contrast this with the rainforest of Sri Lanka and then the pastoral countryside of England. The next stop in the journey leads to the sugar fields of Jamaica followed by the apple orchards of Vermont.
Once back home again, our heroine must process all of those ingredients. Wheat milled. Cinnamon ground. Seawater evaporated. Sugar cane boiled. Egg gathered. Cow milked. Butter churned. Apples sliced. How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman concludes by processing all these ingredients into a freshly baked apple pie, recipe included!
Homemade apple pie is the perfect thing to share with friends. And what could improve the culinary experience more than topping each mouth-watering slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? Unless, of course, the market is closed.