Apples

This lively celebration of the apple skillfully blends graphics, re-enactments and action shots of children to inform and entertain. An animated opening sequence about the folk hero Johnny Appleseed segues into a re-enactment that shows how pioneers stored, preserved and used apples and how they were propagated by grafting. We then follow the year-long growth cycle of the apple, culminating with a fall harvest segment showing children learning the proper way to pick apples. After a brief history of three popular varieties, viewers watch the fruit journey--step-by-step--from orchard to store. Finally, we see how apples are used in such diverse ways as pie filling and Halloween games. Throughout, children are featured enjoying apples--picking, eating, baking, etc. Recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (J. Reed)