Book Reviews

All About Apples is honored to mention the book Appleland by John Kovach on our website. Mr. Kovach has written an excellent entertaining children's book about two girls and their magical journey into Appleland. What makes the book so special to us is that one of the book's characters was named after our dear friend John "Topper" Sponsel who passed away in 2006.

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You are invited to attend an “Appleland” book-signing event that will be hosted by the White House Fruit Farm on Sunday, Sept. 23, from 2-5 p.m. Please come and meet author John Kovach, a sportswriter for The Vindicator, who will be on hand to sign and sell copies of “Appleland,” his first novel for children ages 8-12 but also for all ages. In addition come and meet illustrator Mercedes Miller, a 2007 Youngstown State graduate, who drew the illustrations for the book, and will be on hand to sign and distribute free posters of her colorful book cover. Finallt, come to meet some of the colorful characters who populate “Appleland”---but in their real-life forms---including D'Arcy, Priscilla, Jonathan “Red” Redapple and Erica “Greenie” Greenapple.

Honored during the book-signing will be one of the characters in the book, the late Jerome Hull, who is the founder of White House Fruit Farm. Mr. Hull is portrayed in the book as a melrose appleman, and the first orchardist of Appleland who is recognized by an apple totem pole monument in Melrose Park located within Apple Market Square in Chapter 30. Kovach and Miller will present the Hull family with Miller's color painting of her illustration depicting the Hull apple totem pole monument in Melrose Park.

Come and have a good time celebrating a book.
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The book is available for purchase now on-line at www.publishamerica.com, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Waldenbooks, Borders and Dalton's on-line book stores.

Two great apple cookbooks from award-winning author Lee Jackson.

Apples, Apples Everywhere includes 150 outstanding recipes from some of America's finest orchards, cider mills and fruit growers. Find out how apple growers and those in the industry prepare apples for their families and guests. Each recipes contains a brief history of the orchard/cider mill where the recipe originated.

From The Apple Orchard contains over 150 apple recipes for every occasion, and also includes an apple guide that lists characteristics and usages of many popular apples.

Both books can be ordered through the publisher, Images Unlimited Publishing.

Peter M. Gideon was one of the key pioneers in the history of apple growing in America. Gideon developed the winter hardy Wealthy Apple, an apple variety which became the foundation for growing apples in the colder climates of the Americas in the 1800's. Despite this and other significant horticultural work, Gideon's name is relatively unknown to most people -- even by those who make their living today growing apples. The Great American Apple Wizard tells the story of Gideon and sheds light on the injustice surrounding this man that continues still to this day. Order today via Amazon. $19.95.

All About Apples will be conducting an interview with Mr. Curran in the near future. We have been in contact with him, as well as Peter Gideon's great-great-great-great-nephew Mark, to discuss in more detail the facts behind the "life and times of Peter Gideon".