Apples to Oregon Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains

Apples, ho!When Papa decides to pull up roots and move from Iowa to Oregon, he can't bear to leave his precious apple trees behind. Or his peaches, plums, grapes, cherries, and pears. Oh, and he takes his family along too. But the trail is cruel -- first there's a river to cross that's wider than Texas...and then there are hailstones as big as plums...and there's even a drought, sure to crisp the cherries. Those poor pippins! Luckily Delicious (the nonedible apple of Daddy's eye) is strong -- as young 'uns raised on applesare-- and won't let anything stop her father's darling saps from tasting the sweet Oregon soil.Here's a hilarious tall tale -- from the team that brought youFannie in the Kitchen-- that's loosely based on the life of a real fruiting pioneer.Apple FactsMore than7,500 varieties of apples are grown throughout the world.About 2,500 varieties grow in the United States.The apple varietyDeliciousis the most widely grown in the United States.Apples are part of therosefamily.The science of fruit growing is called pomology.Fresh applesfloat.That's because25percent of their volume is air.Cut an apple in half, across the core, and you'll see astarshape.It takes apple treesfour to five yearsto produce their first fruit.It takes aboutthirty-six applesto makeone gallonof apple cider.

Deborah Hopkinson is the author of numerous award-winning children's books, including Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt, winner of the International Literacy Association Award; Girl Wonder, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; and Apples to Oregon, a Junior Library Guild Selection. She received the 2003 Washington State Book Award for Under the Quilt of Night. She lives in Oregon. Visit her online at DeborahHopkinson.com.

Nancy Carpenter is the acclaimed illustrator of Thomas Jefferson and the Mammoth Hunt, Queen Victoria’s Bathing Machine, Fannie in the Kitchen, and Loud Emily, among other books. Her works have garnered many honors, including two Christopher Awards and the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. Visit her at NancyCarpenter.website.