Celebrate National Apple Month with An Apple Pie For Dinner by Susan VanHecke, Illustrated by Caro

Online, September 27, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Just in time for fall apple picking, pie baking, and National Apple Month (October), AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER (Marshall Cavendish) tells the tale of kind old Granny Smith, who needs apples for a pie. All Granny has are plums, so she embarks on a series of trades, bringing joy to all she meets. Then she invites all of her new friends back to her kitchen where, together, they make and share a yummy apple pie.

The easy reading picture book - a retelling of an English folktale - is perfect for ages pre-K through 3rd grade and is illustrated with stunningly textural, three-dimensional multi-media artwork. Granny's kid-friendly pie recipe and author's and illustrator's notes are included.

A dedicated website for the book, www.AnApplePieForDinner, features read-along audio, original music created exclusively for the book, downloadable children's activities, an instructional pie-baking video for children, a discussion guide for parents and educators, plus apple-related links and fun apple pie facts.

Also available at the book's website is information on Maria Ann Smith, the "real" Granny Smith, developer of the delicious green pie apple. Like AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER's main character, Maria Smith was an avid pie baker with a true passion for apples.

In 1868, Smith, known affectionately by her neighbors as "Granny," accidentally crossed a wild crabapple with the domestic orchard apples she and her husband grew in New South Wales, Australia. The resulting "chance cultivar" was the tart, green apple now known as the Granny Smith.

Descendants of Maria Smith, the "real" Granny Smith, have given AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER enthusiastic thumbs-up. Two of the youngest, Granny Smith's great-great-great-great grandchildren, are pictured enjoying the book at www.AnApplePieForDinner.com.

Susan VanHecke is the author of books for adults and young people. Her books for children include Rock 'N' Roll Soldier: A Memoir (HarperTeen), co-written with Dean Ellis Kohler, and the forthcoming Strike Up The Band (Boyds Mills Press). An Apple Pie For Dinner is Susan VanHecke's debut picture book. To learn more about Susan, visit www.susanvanhecke.com.

Carol Baicker-McKee is the acclaimed illustrator of picture books Cheep! Cheep!, Merry Christmas, Cheeps!, and Mimi, which she also authored. To learn more about Carol, visit www.carolbaickermckee.com.

Both VanHecke and Baicker-McKee are available for interview.

"Told with folkloric flair, this scrumptious tale is perfect for reading aloud to a broad range of ages. Every library will want a copy." -- School Library Journal

"The good-hearted text... will be a welcome addition to a storytime or family read-aloud. " -- Kirkus Reviews

"A delicious treat to be shared anytime." -- Booklist

"Thank you for creating such a wonderful children's book." -- Penelope Piip, great-great-great-great granddaughter of Maria Ann Smith, the "real" Granny Smith

AN APPLE PIE FOR DINNER
Retold by Susan VanHecke, illustrated by Carol Baicker-McKee
Marshall Cavendish/ September 2009/ 32 pages
ISBN 978-0-7614-5452-6/ $17.99