How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro

How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro. Illustrated by Giulio Maestro (Canada) - (US)
Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science, Level 2


Pages: 32
Ages: 6+
Finished: Feb. 8, 2011
First Published: 1992
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: children, non-fiction, science, nature
Rating: 4/5


First sentence:

When you bite into a juicy apple, you're eating part of a flower.

Acquired: Purchased used at a book/garage sale or thrift shop.

Reason for Reading: Ds read aloud to me as his reader.

This series is perfect for basic introductions to science topics. Told simply, but with enough detail to present the topic thoroughly. The text is written in a narrative voice that is friendly while being informative. The pictures illustrate diagrams with lines pointing to certain parts being discussed and throughout the story the same orchard and family are featured. A perfect combination of text and illustrations make this an enjoyable and understandable read for all. This husband & wife team always produce excellent non-fiction children's books together. You can't go wrong when you mix The Maestros with the "Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science" series.

On another note, not part of my official review. I pre-checked this book before giving it to ds to read and was certain that the reading level would be on target for him. I knew I'd have to help a bit with some big words, as usual, but there were plenty of words which may have been new vocabulary to him but were simple to sound out such as "pistil". Unfortunately, he had an amazingly hard time reading the book, even with words he knew. This brings me to the conclusion that he needs more regular practice with non-fiction books since the natural flow of a sentence can't just come to him and he can't just guess the correct word based on the first few letters of a word like he can with fiction. Naturally, non-fiction takes a lot more actual "reading" and I may have to start going to the library for some nf easy readers, if I run out at home.