Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie -Robbin Gourley

A Story About Edna Lewis
Clarion Books, 2009
For: ages 4-8
46 pgs.
Includes five recipes at end
Rating: 4

Bright, lovely watercolors.

In this story, we follow Edna and her siblings living on a farm, surviving from its fruits and labors - from early spring to late fall. From the first wild strawberries to the gathering of the last walnuts and pecans, we follow the seasons as the family gathers fruits, share stories and songs, and cook fresh food.

Ednas Lewis goes on to become an award-winning chef, best known for her fresh southern cuisine.

The book ends with five recipes: strawberry shortcake, apple crisp, corn pudding, and the following two:

Pecan Drops
(makes 2 1/2 - 3 dozen cookies)

350 degrees. Grease cookie sheet.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Using a mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg, flour and salt and mix well, then blend in vanilla and pecans. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto the greased cookie sheet, bake on the middle rack of the oven for 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Nut-Butter Squares
325 degree oven

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
2 T. vanilla
1 egg, separated
2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

With mixer, cream sugar and butter. Add flour, vanilla, and egg yolk. Dough will be stiff. Using your hands, spread dough into an 11 x 15 jelly roll pan. Brush dough with lightly beaten egg white. Sprinkle nuts across dough, then press into the dough with your fingers.

Bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep checking that nuts don't burn. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into squares.