Looking for apple read alouds for first grade that tie in with science, writing, and seasonal activities?
These apple-themed children’s books are perfect for your back to school plans. This list is perfect for planning your Apple Day celebration or building your classroom library with fall read alouds. The books are organized into helpful categories to make planning easier:
Science and Apple Life Cycle – Great for introducing how apples grow, what trees need to thrive, and the stages from seed to fruit.
Fiction and Entertainment – Fun, engaging stories that keep student’s attention.
Books That Inspire Writing – These titles naturally lead into classroom writing prompts, craft projects, or recipe extensions.
SEL Topics – Books that help students understand their feelings and the feelings of others.
Read them during morning meeting, after an apple tasting, or before a science lesson. These books are great for teaching the apple tree life cycle, exploring nonfiction text features, and introducing writing activities like personal narratives, in the first few weeks of school.
A Quick Note About Affiliate Links
This post includes affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—at no cost to you—if you decide to purchase. Every book listed here is a teacher favorite, and we’ve chosen them specifically for their classroom value and how easily they tie into fall lessons. Click on the title or the cover image to take a look.
Apple Read Alouds For First Grade
Apple Science & Life Cycle Books
These titles work well for science standards, apple life cycle units, and nonfiction reading.
The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
A simple narrative that follows the growth of an apple tree, ending in a homemade pie. Great for sequencing and tree life cycle lessons.
Apples for Everyone by Jill Esbaum
A nonfiction read with real photos and simple text that explains apple types, growth, and harvesting. Works well with apple tasting.
How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro
A detailed look at how apples grow. Use this to teach vocabulary like “blossom,” “pollination,” and “harvest.”
Apples by Gail Gibbons
Nonfiction book packed with diagrams, facts, and clear illustrations. Ideal for supporting science and vocabulary.
From Apple Trees to Cider, Please! by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky
A beautiful seasonal read about apple harvesting and cider making. Great for introducing cause and effect.
Apple Read Alouds That Entertain
These books use apples as a storytelling tool, perfect for imagination, discussion, and writing.
Ten Apples Up On Top by Dr. Seuss (as Theo. LeSieg)
A silly, rhythmic counting book—great for early readers and making predictions.
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Combines fiction and nonfiction to show an apple tree’s changes throughout the seasons.
Apple Trouble by Ragnhild Scamell
Hedgehog finds an apple stuck to her back! A fun story for sequencing or cause and effect.
The Biggest Apple Ever by Steven Kroll
The mice from the “Biggest Ever” series try to grow the largest apple. Great for teamwork and problem-solving themes.
Apple Picking Day! by Candice Ransom
Simple text and bright illustrations make this a great early reader or read aloud for younger students.
An Apple Pie for Dinner by Susan VanHecke
A retelling of a folk tale with themes of generosity and community.
The Apple Orchard Riddle by Margaret McNamara
A class field trip turns into a problem-solving adventure. Works great with your own trip to the orchard.
Apple Read Alouds To Inspire SEL
Use these titles to launch a writing activity, craft, or class discussion about kindness.
The Apple Doll by Elisa Kleven
A story of a nervous girl who makes a doll from an apple to help her through school transitions. Great SEL tie-in.
Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship by Edward Hemingway
A sweet, simple story about friendship and not fitting in. Take this book out when you’re teaching character traits.
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting
A thoughtful read about a new student’s experience in an apple orchard. Perfect for identity, inclusion, and kindness themes.
Apple Read Alouds For Writing And Reading Lessons
Use these books to introduce writing genres or anchor text for reading.
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
A good mix of fiction and nonfiction. Students can practice labeling, sorting, and recipe writing.
A Was Once an Apple Pie by Edward Lear
A silly ABC poem. Use it for phonics, fluency practice, or building your own class alphabet poem.
The Apple Pie That Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
A cumulative tale with rich language and great pacing. Great for sequencing or retelling.
Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray
Another fun alphabet book with a pie-themed twist. Good for early letter recognition and patterns.
I Know It’s Autumn by Eileen Spinelli
A poetic, quiet book with cozy seasonal details, including apples. Use it for list writing or five senses activities.
Want a Johnny Appleseed Read Aloud?
Johnny Appleseed by Steven Kellogg
A beautifully illustrated biography. Read this on or around Johnny Appleseed Day (September 26th) and tie it into a discussion about folktales, legends, or nonfiction vs. fiction.
Why These Fall Read Alouds Work in First Grade
Many of these apple-themed children’s books tie directly into science and reading standards like the apple tree life cycle, nonfiction reading skills, sequencing, and descriptive writing. Others help with social-emotional learning by modeling friendship, inclusion, and community. Use them to:
- Introduce the apple tree life cycle
- Teach about sequencing, retelling, and nonfiction text features
- Build classroom community with SEL-friendly stories
- Plan writing, from apple-themed recipes to poems
- Use with apple science experiments, tasting days, or seasonal writing centers
Plan your apple read alouds with writing prompts, science activities, or seasonal crafts to build out your apple-themed lesson plans. Below, you’ll find even more classroom ideas to help you with all the apple day activities and ideas you need.
Related Posts And Free Resources For Apple Week
First Grade Apple Day Activities For Writing, Science, and Reading
Get everything you need for a themed Apple Day—science experiments, writing prompts, and cross-curricular fun.
Free Apple Writing Paper
Download 36 pages of apple-themed writing pages (primary and regular lines, drawing space, and first grade apple writing prompts). A great no-prep addition to your fall plans.
Easy Apple Writing Ideas For First Grade
Ready-to-use writing ideas that tie directly into your fall apple unit, great for cross curricular instruction.
Apple Science Experiments For First Grade
Teach graphing, the apple life cycle, and more with these hands-on, easy-prep science activities.
