Happy Book Birthday: Applesauce Day PLUS Giveaway

Posted on August 1, 2017 by viviankirkfield

What could be better than a birthday?

A birthday that promises a yummy snack, that’s what!

Today we are turning the spotlight on a BRAND NEW PICTURE BOOK from veteran author Lisa Amstutz. When I heard about her book, I knew I had to help her celebrate because I, too, spent many happy autumns, picking apples and preparing applesauce with my family!

Don’t they look amazing! When I moved to New Hampshire a couple of years ago, we went apple-picking with my grandson. And then, we made applesauce!

So Happy Book Birthday to APPLESAUCE DAY!

APPLESAUCE DAY

Written by Lisa Amstutz

Illustrated by Talitha Shipman

Published by Albert Whitman (August 1, 2017)

Ages: 4-8

Opening Lines:

I spy the big pot on the counter right away. “Hooray,” I say. “It’s Applesauce Day!”

Synopsis:

From Amazon:

:Maria and her family visit an apple orchard and pick apples. Then it’s time to turn the apples into applesauce! Every year they use the special pot that has been in the family for generations to make applesauce. First they wash the apples. Then Grandma cuts them into quarters. Follow each step in the process as everyone helps to make delicious applesauce!”

Why I like this book:

Beautiful family-building story
Charming illustrations with a vintage feel
Wonderful launch pad for family activities with a great recipe and fun apple facts at the back of the book
Kids will see the child characters playing important roles in the applesauce making process

Related Activities:

Crockpot Applesauce

Photo courtesy: http://abeautifulmess.com

You will need:

Apples* (enough to fill your crockpot)
Cinnamon stick
Lemon juice
Water
Sugar, honey, or other sweetener
Paring knife
Potato masher or blender
Crockpot

Directions:

Peel and core the apples and put them in the crockpot.
Add a cinnamon stick, a drizzle of lemon juice, and about an inch of water.
Simmer on low for 6–8 hours or until the apples are soft.
Mash or puree the cooked apples using a potato masher or blender. The latter will make a smoother sauce.
Sweeten to taste with sugar, honey, or other sweetener. Enjoy!

* Cortland, Jonathan, McIntosh, Winesap, Transparent, Gala, Golden Delicious, and Fuji are good sauce varieties.

Dear friends…Lisa’s publisher, the wonderful Albert Whitman, has generously offered a copy of APPLESAUCE DAY as a giveaway. Please leave a comment to be entered into the drawing. We’d love to hear about your apple-picking, applesauce-making, or applesauce-eating experiences!

To find out more about Lisa and her wonderful books, go here.

A nd PLEASE, don’t forget that reviews on Amazon and Goodreads are a breath of life for authors and illustrators.

I appreicate you all spending a little of your time with us here at PIcture Books Help Kids Soar. Have a wonderful week!

44 thoughts on “Happy Book Birthday: Applesauce Day PLUS Giveaway”

lilyerlic on August 1, 2017 at 1:42 am said:

Applesauce day would be a great picture book for my preschool students. Congratulations on your new book, Lisa! I am also an aspiring author, thanks for the inspiration! Well done!

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 8:55 pm said:
  
  Thanks, and best of luck with your books!
  
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Linda Hofke on August 1, 2017 at 4:26 am said:

I met Lisa last year at a writing retreat and she is so nice. I am happy to see this book come out. Great concept. Sometimes it’s the simple things in life (like making apple sauce with family) that make a day special.

Thanks for the recipe. I will definitely try it.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 8:55 pm said:
  
  It was lovely to meet you too, Linda! 🙂
  
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Diane Tulloch on August 1, 2017 at 6:13 am said:

I looooove applesauce. It’s yummy with pork or in a pie with loads of whip cream or ice cream. 🙂 This is a beautiful book.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 8:56 pm said:
  
  I have never had applesauce in a pie! Sounds delish! – Lisa
  
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Mary Warth on August 1, 2017 at 7:34 am said:

Congratulations Lisa! It sounds like a wonderful book. I have so many great memories of apple picking. My dad typically filmed us (an old V8) and we loved to play the film backward and see the apples fly back up in the tree!

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 8:57 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Mary! What fun memories!
  
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tinamcho on August 1, 2017 at 7:49 am said:

My kids love applesauce. This looks like a wonderful book to bring kids and parents together.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 8:57 pm said:
  
  That is my hope! 🙂 – Lisa
  
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curryelizabeth on August 1, 2017 at 9:01 am said:

Congratulations Lisa! This looks adorable.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:01 pm said:
  
  Thanks! 🙂
  
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David McMullin on August 1, 2017 at 9:46 am said:

What a great to get ready for the fall. This looks terrific.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:02 pm said:
  
  Thanks, David!
  
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ptnozell on August 1, 2017 at 10:24 am said:

What a lovely cover & terrific rhyming opening lines! I love the ritual of using one pot that’s been in the family for generations for an annual tradition. I look forward to reading Applesauce Day. Congratulations on the book birthday!

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:04 pm said:
  
  Thanks, hope you enjoy it!
  
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cmdale on August 1, 2017 at 10:28 am said:

Love cooking and baking activities with my grandchildren. What a beautiful book reminding us to carry on traditions.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:04 pm said:
  
  You are building wonderful memories! – Lisa
  
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kathalsey on August 1, 2017 at 11:32 am said:

Hurray for Applesauce’s big day. I don;t have a specula recipe, so i’ll use yours, Vivian. Lisa knows her subject as she live sons hobby farm in Ohio and does all sorts of wonderful things.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:06 pm said:
  
  Hugs, Kathy :).
  
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Sherri Jones Rivers on August 1, 2017 at 12:40 pm said:

My grandparents died before I was born, so I don’t have any precious memories like this, but I will enjoy reading about this wonderful family tradition. Excited for you, Lisa, and thanks, Vivian, for bringing it to our attention.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Sherri!
  
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bamauthor on August 1, 2017 at 1:34 pm said:

I live in apple country. Have many fond memories of apple picking and making applesauce with one of my dearest friends.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:07 pm said:
  
  Wonderful memories, I am sure!
  
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danielle hammelef on August 1, 2017 at 2:31 pm said:

We have many apple orchards around my house (my subdivision used to be one). In late August we start going to cider mills to eat all the wonderful baked goods made with apples, as well as pick apples to make my own applesauce and pies. I love warm, fresh applesauce with a hint of cinnamon. Congrats on a fun family book.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:08 pm said:
  
  What a wonderful tradition, Danielle!
  
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Patricia Tilton on August 1, 2017 at 2:51 pm said:

This book bring back many favorite moments of picking apples off my dad’s trees and making home-made applesauce. Nothing else like it. What a great story. It would pair nicely with a chapter book last year, “Applesauce Weather,” by Patricia MacLaughlin.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:09 pm said:
  
  Great idea, Patricia!
  
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cynthiahm on August 1, 2017 at 9:34 pm said:

Every year I make applesauce with my preschool class. We use a hand crank peeler/corer and the children usually talk about how strong they are while cranking. This looks like a great book to add to my fall preschool plans! I would love to win a copy!!

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  What a fun activity – I love it!
  
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mona861 on August 2, 2017 at 7:14 am said:

Congratulations, Lisa Amstutz! We go apple picking every fall and of course we make applesauce! Would love to win this book to share with my school.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:10 pm said:
  
  Thanks,Mona! 🙂
  
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BelieveAchieveSuccess on August 2, 2017 at 9:30 am said:

Congrats Lisa. Your book looks amazing. I remember when I was younger and we went apple picking, so much fun. And apple sauce is the best, especially with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top.

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks! And I agree on the cinnamon!
  
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BelieveAchieveSuccess on August 2, 2017 at 9:32 am said:

Btw, thanks for the recipe. I’m going to try it out.
–Karen Brueggeman

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darla on August 2, 2017 at 10:32 am said:

I haven’t eaten applesauce in years. Have a craving all of a sudden 😉

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:12 pm said:
  
  At least it’s a healthy craving! 🙂
  
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mariagianferrari on August 2, 2017 at 4:09 pm said:

This looks wonderful (and not just because the MC is called Maria 😉 ) Autumn is my very favorite season and I LOVE apple picking!! Thanks for sharing, Vivian!

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- Lisa Amstutz on August 2, 2017 at 9:13 pm said:
  
  Autumn is my favorite season too!
  
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