The Apple Orchard Riddle Margaret McNamar

The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamar

*A review copy of this book was viewed from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*

Mr. Tiffin and his students from the perenially popular How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? are back in this picture book about a school trip to an apple orchard! In this playful, humorous, and child-friendly classroom story, the students learn a lot about apples and apple orchards—including how apples are harvested, how cider is made, and what the different varieties of apples are—while trying to solve a riddle. The book also celebrates how some children learn differently than others.

As the students tour the orchard, they learn a lot about apple production.  They are challenged with a riddle by their teacher that they try to figure out as they tour the orchard.   The children work through the riddle but none of them could figure it out.  They spend time learning how to pick apples, make cider and all the different types of apples.

Tara is different from all the other students in her class and seems to be in her own world.  She is usually the last one to get anywhere and doesn’t seem to mind being alone.  She’s smart and inquisitive and is the only one that figures Mr. Tiffin’s riddle. 

This book is fun and educational at the same time.  The children are shown the process of running an orchard step by step.  Along the way they are given facts about apples or asked questions that make them think.  I love that Tara is different and that’s ok.  It may take her a little longer to work through things but in the end she will figure them out. 

I think this is great because not all kids learn the same way and the book recognizes that and it’s ok.  The book is beautifully illustrated with nice flow.  Lilly enjoyed this book and still talks about the riddle.  We give The Apple Orchard Riddle 3½ stars.