The Apple Doll
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
Lizzy loves the big apple tree in her yard more than anything. So when the first day of school comes, she picks a beautiful apple, turns it into a makeshift doll she names Susanna, and takes it along to keep her company. But her teacher tells her that dolls aren't allowed at school. Even worse, her sister says that Susanna won't last forever. Then Lizzy's mom shows her a way to turn Susanna into a real apple doll. And with the help of Susanna the Apple Doll, Lizzy overcomes her shyness at school and makes plenty of new friends to bring home to play in her beloved apple tree.
Detailed, delightful collage illustrations accompany this sweet story about one girl's success in bringing together her home world and her school world. Instructions for making an apple doll just like Susanna are included!
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ashy girl named Lizzy uses her love of apples to assuage her fears about starting school in Kleven's (The Wishing Ball) latest. Lizzy adores the apple tree on her family's property throughout the year, particularly in the fall when it offers "apples for crunching, apples for munching, apples for applesauce, cider, and pies." Nervous that she won't have any friends at school, she picks her favorite apple to bring with her, giving it an "apple-twig body." drawing a face on it and naming it Susanna. However, her classmates tease her about her unusual doll ("Her brains are apple seeds!") and the next day Lizzy leaves Susanna at home, making her feel quite lonely. As could be expected, Susanna's organic nature soon makes her less than "fresh" and Lizzy's mother offers a solution they peel the apple and soak it in lemon juice, resulting in a wrinkly, well-preserved doll ("She looks like a little grandma!" Lizzy excitedly exclaims). Lizzy proudly brings the new Susanna to school and inspires the entire class to make dried apple dolls of their own. Youngsters may be moved to do the same, and Kleven provides detailed instructions for parents and children to craft friends of their own to conquer heading-to-school fears. Ages 4-8.
