Best Picture Books About Apples (2026): 10 Picks Compared

Finding the best picture books about apples starts with the reader on your lap: a toddler who wants the same book nightly, or a kindergartner ready to read alone. We compared ten apple books on reading age, grade level, page count and publisher.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Apples by Gibbons	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Apple Picking Day! by Ransom	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Apples, Apples, Apples by Wallace	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Apple Farmer Annie by Wellington	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	How Do Apples Grow? by McDonald	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Apples by Gibbons

Gail Gibbons·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Gail Gibbons's 32 page educational guide to apples, for ages 3 to 6 and grades Kindergarten to 3; the most complete apple book here.

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Pros

• 32 pages, the most complete apple coverage here
• Reading age 3 to 6 and grade Kindergarten to 3 stated
• New and updated edition from Holiday House

Cons

• Published 2001, the oldest edition here
• Reading age marked as from customers only
• 32 pages may be long for a toddler

2

Apple Picking Day! by Ransom

Candice Ransom·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Step 1 early reader about apple picking day, for ages 2 to 5 and grades Preschool to 1; best for a child starting to read alone.

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Pros

• Step 1 reader for beginning readers
• Age 2 to 5 and grade Preschool to 1 stated
• 2016 edition from Step into Reading

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• Simple text may bore an older sibling
• 32 pages with limited depth on apples

3

Apples, Apples, Apples by Wallace

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Nancy Elizabeth Wallace's apple book for ages 2 to 5 and grades Preschool to 2; a gentle fit for preschoolers.

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Pros

• Age 2 to 5 and grade Preschool to 2 stated
• 2012 edition from Two Lions
• Apple-focused story for preschoolers

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• No series or extra material stated
• 32 pages, standard length

4

Apple Farmer Annie by Wellington

Monica Wellington·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Monica Wellington's Apple Farmer Annie for ages 1 to 3 and grades Preschool to 2; the pick for the youngest readers.

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Pros

• Youngest listed age here: 1 to 3 years
• Grade Preschool to 2 stated
• 2004 Puffin edition, long in print

Cons

• Reading age marked as from customers only
• 2004 edition; confirm the printing
• Farm story may suit toddlers more than older kids

5

How Do Apples Grow? by McDonald

Jill McDonald·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Jill McDonald's 26 page Hello, World! book on how apples grow, for ages 2 to 4; the shortest read here.

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Pros

• 26 pages, the shortest read here
• Age 2 to 4 stated for young readers
• 2019 edition, the newest here

Cons

• No grade level stated
• Reading age marked as from customers only
• Brief at 26 pages

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More picks to compare

• Applesauce Day by AmstutzAges 2 to 6, grades Preschool to 3, about applesauce day.Check on Amazon
• Apples, Apples Everywhere! by KoontzAges 4 to 8, grades 1 to 2, on apple harvests.Check on Amazon
• Apples for Everyone by EsbaumAges 4 to 6, 16 pages, from National Geographic Kids.Check on Amazon
• 5 Little Apples by YonezuAges 3 to 5, a lift-the-flap counting book.Check on Amazon
• Apple Countdown by HolubAges 4 to 8, grades Preschool to 3, a counting book.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents, value, and the listed reading age or grade level. All five state a reading age, marked as from customers; four state a grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best picture books about apples

Match the age band to the child

Listed ages run 1 to 8 years, each marked as from customers. Apple Farmer Annie lists ages 1 to 3; Apples, Apples Everywhere! lists 4 to 8. Start with the band that fits your reader.

Check grade level and length

Four listings give a grade level, Preschool to 3. Most are 32 pages; How Do Apples Grow? is 26. Browse all picture books for more.

Before you buy

• Compare the reading age with your child’s age.
• Check grade level and page count.
• For a series book like Apple Picking Day!, confirm it is Step 1 before buying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are these apple books for?

Listed ages run 1 to 8 years, each marked as from customers.

Which book suits a new reader?

Apple Picking Day! is a Step into Reading Step 1 book with a listed age of 2 to 5 years, made for beginning readers.

Are these books educational?

Gibbons’s Apples carries an educational guide subtitle; How Do Apples Grow? names its topic in the title.

Still deciding? Our top pickApples by Gibbons

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Related lists

See every picture books list and all kids and teens lists.

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