I Want an Apple: How My Body Works

by David L. Harrison

Your body is busy, busy, busy! Learn how it works in this funny-but-informative book.

I want an apple. Smart brain, help me find one. Sniffy nose, smell the apple. Bright eyes, help me see it.
Legs, feet, arms, teeth, tongue, tummy . . . and long intestine too . . . all snap into action when a child decides she wants an apple. A clever and humorous introduction to body parts and their function.

David Harrison is a beloved, award-winning author. The David Harrison Elementary School in Springfield, Missouri was named in his honor. The illustrator, David Catrow, is known for his humor and hyperbole. Honors include a New York Times Best Illustrated Award.

Genres: Picture Books, Juvenile, Childrens, Nonfiction, Science, Health

32 pages, Paperback

Published December 12, 2023

Reviews

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very basic overview of how different parts of the body work in allowing a small child to find and eat an apple. Would be a good jumping-off point for very young children. Could lead to a deeper discussion.

Adorable, whimsical illustrations.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked out I Want an Apple because it's cataloged under health and nutrition for ages 3-7, but, while it's a cute little picture book, I'd put the target age as more in the 2-4 range, making it a poor fit for my kids.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complemented by interesting artwork, created with pencils, watercolors, and inks, this picture book offers a unique perspective on how the various parts of the body work by focusing on a young girl who wants an apple for a snack. While this might be a simple request or need, in order to locate the apple and consume it, her body will need to work hard with each part performing together with the other ones. For instance, her brain will assist her in figuring out where the apple is, her legs will allow her to stand while looking for it, and various sensory organs and body parts--her nose, her eyes, her teeth, her tongue--help her enjoy it. And of course, once she's eaten that delicious fruit, her stomach and intestines get to work, breaking the apple into digestible parts, adding chemicals, using the parts of the apple for fuel and getting rid of the rest. She realizes that her body is quite a wonder, and throughout the book she and her small dog are pictured frolicking in glee, enjoying every moment and appreciating all that went into that seemingly-simple task. Picture books such as this one give readers space in which to think about how efficient their bodies are, encouraging them to love them and take good care of them, something that many of us like me don't always remember to do. Teachers might include this book as part of a collection devoted to the human body since it provides an introduction to the topic, complete with a sketch of the body on the back page.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WANT AN APPLE is a cute introduction to basic human anatomy. It works as a fun read aloud picture book, but it would also be a great introduction to an early anatomy / body parts unit or storytime. It can easily serve as a jumping off point for exploring movement and digestion and eating healthy. Adorable pictures, brief text and fun concept.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about all the body parts and functions that are used to do something like eat an apple? Through illustrations and short text, author-illustrator duo Harrison and Catrow break it down for us!

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catrow's illustrations never disappoint. He is excellent at injecting humor and fun into any story, and in this case he also helps the reader understand what is happening. The text is basic enough for young children and might be fun to read aloud.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging storytime book/read aloud that leads young children to think about the parts of their bodies and what they do. Whimsical illustrations are what led me to pick this up off our new books shelf at the library.

[劉凍青 · Rating 4 out of 5]

挺可爱的一本书。

[A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept but the execution fell just a bit short for me. Some good descriptive words but neither factually informative nor entertaining enough to make up for that lack.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for the toddler and PreK set. Catrow nailed it as usual with the illustrations.

[Ann Haefele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute art compliments a very basic discussion of how the body works. Good story to use when teaching our 5 senses to children.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite enjoyable and not icky at all. Kudos for that!

[Steph]

Turn/Level: B/2.5

Body Parts, Body Functions

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine. Nothing to write home about.

[Yycdaisy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for preschoolers learning about how a body functions.