In her characteristic, easily understood, and straightforward style, Gibbons gives an overview of apples. She traces their history in America, shows their parts, and explains their growth, harvest, and uses. Three pages illustrate many different varieties, and a concluding page lists interesting facts. Betsy Maestro's How Do Apples Grow? (HarperCollins, 1992) delves more thoroughly into the fertilization and growth of the fruit as does Bruce McMillan's Apples, How They Grow (Houghton, 1979; o.p.). Dorothy Hinshaw Patent's Apple Trees (Lerner, 1997) is more complex as is Charles Micucci's The Life and Times of the Apple (Orchard, 1992). Gibbons's own The Seasons of Arnold's Apple Tree (Harcourt, 1984) has some of the same information found here. The recipe for apple pie is essentially the same, and both have a diagram of a cider press. However, the focus of the two books is very different. With its cheerful, bright illustrations and clear, simple presentation, this title will be the perfect pick for the perennial fall apple-book requests. Louise L. Sherman, formerly at Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, NJ Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.