Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey

Apple Cake: A Gratitude

by Dawn Casey

Thank you, hedge, / Thank you, tree. / Thank you, flower, / Thank you, bee. / Thank you, rain, / Thank you, sun. / Thank you, farmers, / every one.
 
In this simple rhyming story from the author of Held in Love, a child says thank you for the gifts nature provides, from hazelnuts in the hedge to apples from the tree, eggs from the hens to milk from the cow. Eventually, the family has enough ingredients to make something special… a delicious apple cake!
 
With captivating illustrations that brim with emotion, this sweet picture book encourages children to be grateful for the world around them – the perfect read for Thanksgiving. A recipe for apple cake at the end allows you and your child to share in the joyful gratitude.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

4 of 5 stars

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Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Apple Cake: A Gratitude is a beautifully illustrated, simple, gentle story for the youngest readers (infant through 5-6 years). Released 24th Sept 2019 by Quarto on their Frances Lincoln children's imprint, it's 32 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.

The short rhyming text is inset in each page, thanking each provider of the ingredients in the apple cake in the title. It's typeset in Memphis typeface, which is both clear and easily read and allows the art to take center stage. The art, by Genevieve Godbout, is rendered in pastel and colored pencil and is sweetly whimsical and has a nostalgic vibe, following the creation of a cake and being thankful for the simplest gifts.

This would make a lovely reading circle selection for both classroom or library groups, as well as a great bedtime / read-to-me book. There is also a recipe for apple cake included at the back of the book. It's gluten free (utilizing nut flours), and vegetarian (not vegan) friendly. It uses honey for sweetening, so substitutions would need to be made to make it vegan.

Four stars. Lovely presentation, sweetly written and illustrated, with a gentle positive message.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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  • 7 October, 2019: Reviewed