Bad Apple
A Tale of Friendship
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
It takes a firm apple to stand up to bullies.
When Mac, an apple, meets Will, a worm, they become fast friends, teaching each other games and even finishing each other's sentences. But apples aren't supposed to like worms, and Mac gets called "rotten" and "bad apple." At first, Mac doesn't know what to do—it's never easy standing up to bullies—but after a lonely day without Will, Mac decides he'd rather be a bad apple with Will than a sad apple without.
Edward Hemingway's warm art and simple, crisp text are the perfect pairing, and themes of bullying and friendship are sure to hit readers' sweet spots all year round.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Hemingway's spreads recall old campground postcards of the 1950s, with rainbows arcing over cloud-covered hills and orange-tinted sunsets. It's a good setting for this otherworldly tale of an apple named Mac who forms a close relationship with the worm who takes refuge in his head one day. Although Will the worm turns out to be a stalwart friend he's supportive, friendly, and full of good ideas the other apples jeer: "Mac's a rotten apple!" Tender interactions between Mac and Will (they read books together, and Will finishes Mac's sentences) make it clear that Mac's conclusion that he'd rather be "a Bad Apple with Will than a sad apple without him" is the right one. With sweet-tempered humor, Heming-way (Bump in the Night) concentrates less on the bullying and more on the intimacy Mac and Will share, allowing the two to retreat from the world to their cherished clearing on the hill. Although adults may detect a veiled romance there's just something about the way Mac looks at Will the story works very nicely as a gentle celebration of friendship. Ages 3 5.
Customer Reviews
A breathtakingly beautiful book that gives young readers Ian important (and timely) message
I simply cannot say enough good things about Bad Apple, A Tale of Friendship, written by the oh-so-talented Edward Hemingway. Hemingway is a rare children's book author, in that his wit and talent really take his work to levels not seen in children's books for many years.
The story is a wonderful lesson for young readers and sets a good tone for a beginning talk about tolerance, bullying, and accepting our friends for who they are.
Mac (the apple--such a clever name!) and Will are delightful characters that really come to life. You care about these characters and while I was reading, I could imagine this story and the characters on film.
Finally, I have to say something about the breathtaking artwork of this book. These are not quick drawings--the artwork is done in oils and the richness and depth come shining through. When I opened the book, I literally went, "Ahhhhhhh!" I have absolutely NEVER seen such amazing artwork in a children's book--and there are such wonderful little surprises in the art. Hemingway is not only a fantastic illustrator, his clever wit adds even more dimension.
I teach early childhood development and this book hits all the marks for great children's literature. In fact, I loved this book so much that I have already ordered copies of this book for this year's new literature in my university's child development labs. I know children--and they are going to love this book!
Edward Hemingway is a talent we should all keep our eye on. It's fabulous (and rare) when you see this kind of amazing talent bloom. It's a completely joy from cover to cover.