Apple of my Pie by Mika Song

This is another adventure of the lovable squirrels, Norma and Belly from Donut Feed the Squirrels.  In it, the squirrels are enjoying some apple pie when Gramps falls into an Apple Truck and gets carted off.  He thinks he's going to a picturesque farm where he'll be able to live out his life in peace, unlike the hustle and bustle of the city life.  Turns out, the farm is really a factory for making apple pies, and Gramps is in danger! Norma and Belly mount a rescue mission to save Gramps from becoming someone's dessert.

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This story is a cute follow up to the first book in the series.  The characters are introduced in the first book, and this one assumes you’ve read it and know who they are already, so there isn't much time spent on who they all are. This graphic novel is a hybrid in between a picture book and a chapter book, which is a relatively new place in publishing.  It reads like a picture book but with panels and gutters, yet the book is much longer than 32 pages.  This series is a great in-between for readers who a ready for something a little longer than a normal picture book.

​The art is really cute and ephemeral in the way water colors can be.  The squirrels and other wildlife are drawn interestingly and very different than other stories with animal characters.

Sara's Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades Kindergarten - 3

This review was made possible with an advanced reader copy from the publisher.

Publisher: Random House Graphic
Publication Date: June 8, 2021
ISBN: 9780593125403 (Paperback)

Tags: Rating: 8/10, Suitability: Elementary School, Graphic Literature, Animals, CSLA 2021