September 30, 2025 By Maria
Have you ever had that feeling when you want to laugh, but are in the middle of drinking? My most memorable apple cider moment from childhood was when my dad made me laugh at breakfast mid sip of a mug of warm apple cider. In spite of the cider coming up my nose, it is still one of my favorite drinks, besides tea, of course. Apple cider is definitely my family’s favorite fall drink. Picking up a gallon of apple cider at the grocery store is one of the first things we do when autumn starts.
Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell is just the story to read if you love apple cider. Last year I used this book to explain why we can’t make apple cider at home. Since we experiment and make so many different things at home (like mooncakes) my daughter didn’t see why we couldn’t try to make apple cider in our kitchen. In the book, Alex and Abigail help their grandparents with their aunts, uncles, and cousins to harvest the apples on the grandparents’ apple farm and make the season’s batch of cider.
My daughter liked how Alex and Abigail were the youngest family members, but they still got to help in this big family project. The process of selecting the cider apples and preparing the cider is carefully explained in the story and shown in Joanne Friar’s illustrations. At the end of the book there is a section of “Cider Lore” with extra information for older children or anyone interested in learning a little more about apple cider. Ann Purmell, the author, dedicated the book to her husband whose love of cider mills inspired her to write this book. I always appreciate a dedication note with a personal touch.
This book definitely makes me appreciate all the hard work that goes into making apple cider. When we finished the story, my daughter said she was thirsty for some “cold apple cider.” She also understood that making cider in our kitchen wouldn’t quite work out. Store bought cider continued to be sufficient. I took that as a mom-win; we learned, and the “argument” was also over. Do you prefer your apple cider cold and refreshing or hot and spiced? I like both, depending on my mood and the chilliness of the weather.
More Bookshelves Please 