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Thought it might be nice to spread a little sunshine today. I know Spring has barely begun, but already I'm craving late summer peaches. There's nothing like a just ripe peach -- blushing and golden, sweet and juicy, a perfect orb bursting with the sunny goodness of lazy summer days.


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Now, I truly love peach pie. I'd walk a mile for a piece of warm peach pie, double or lattice crust, flaky and buttery, all melty and velvety in my mouth. And, as some of you may know, I love Melissa Sweet's art. She's one of my top ten favorite children's book illustrators of all time. What happens when you combine two things you love so much? Well, I can barely stand it -- the joy, the swooning, the admiration, the dreamy reverie of it all, the sweet resonance of my senses fully sated.


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In three words: EASY AS PIE, a.k.a., a picture book written by Cari Best and illustrated by Melissa Sweet, all about baking a peach pie.

     

I will try to contain my gushing long enough to tell you a little about it, but no guarantees. Like the profoundly perceptive, self-proclaimed picture book nerd Julie Danielson of 7-Imp, I am fond of utilizing superlatives when it comes to good stuff. There's no sense in trying to be restrained or even reasonable when it comes to picture book love, because it's a genre that by its very definition (if there ever was one) emotes emotes emotes all the wonder, fun, beauty, joy, surprise, fears, disappointments, curiosity, and all-knowingness of childhood.  

So, budding chef Jacob is making his very first pie after watching Chef Monty on his favorite TV show. Throughout the process, he's mindful of Chef Monty's Baking Rules, which include things like, "A happy baker bakes a happy pie," and "If something unexpected happens, fix it as best as you can." What I love is how palpable Jacob's love of cooking is, and how single mindedly he presses on despite his sister distracting him and the family trying to rush him so they can go out to dinner.


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He makes a few mistakes along the way, as is expected, but manages to surprise his family with a totally delicious end product. Lots of verve in the language, I like that. Great story about problem solving with lessons applicable to everyday life, and Jacob's own baking rules may be the best ones of all: "It's no fun eating a fresh pie all by yourself," and "A happy pie eater makes a baker happy!"

Jacob, with his ro

By Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 4, 2010

Thanksgiving is a time for pie.  Pie makes me think of Harold and his purple crayon.  Remember that picnic on the sandy beach?  “There was nothing but pie.  But there were all nine kinds of pie that Harold liked best.”  My daughter and I love to imagine what all the different fillings could be. Who doesn’t love freshly baked pie, the most amazingly delectable dessert that fills the home with its tantalizing aroma?  It’s such a perfect vehicle for a scoop or dollop of some cool creamy topping.  Kids love to help bake, especially mixing, licking their sweet, sticky fingers and rolling out pie dough.

Here follows a list of picture books—all about pie—to share with your little ones.  Some simply get your mouth watering, but most are laced with a secret ingredient.  There is a reminder about abundance, a lesson on humility, and a tale of perseverance.  You will also find a trip around the world, a juicy alphabet primer and a cautionary tale for the literal-minded—from Amelia Bedelia, of course.  A few even include a recipe so good that you won’t need to invite a very hungry moose and deserving porcupine to help you finish.

All for Pie, Pie for All

by David Martin (Author), Valeri Gorbachev (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 0-5

Paperback: 32 pages

Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (August 12, 2008)

Source: Library

Publisher’s synopsis: In this merry, multi-species story cooked up with folksy warmth and humor, everybody gets a piece of the pie — and then some.

Grandma Cat makes a delicious apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even a piece left over. Grandma Mouse finds a piece of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone — and even crumbs left over. Grandma Ant spies some crumbs of apple pie, and there’s plenty for everyone. But what’s left over after cats, mice, and ants have had their fill? Little readers will eat up this scrumptious, gently math-related story that’s as sweet and satisfying as a fresh-baked dessert.

Add this book to your collection: All for Pie, Pie for All

The Apple Pie Tree