Mary E. grew. First came one tooth, then another and another. The apple tree grew. First came one leaf, then another and another. On their way to Grammie’s house, apple dumplings in tow, a mother explains a time-honored family tradition to her daughter. Mom tells the story of Mary E., who grows up alongside the apple tree her parents plant to mark her birth. The apples from the family orchard are used in good times and bad, for medicine and for special recipes like apple butter, spiced ciders, and warm apple cake. But Mary E.’s favorite is apple dumplings, which the family always makes to celebrate birthdays. And so the tradition continues, mother to daughter, past to present, for generations. Inspired by a box of vintage family photographs-including some of the real Mary E., the author’s second-great-grandmother-Cynthia Cliff has written and illustrated a rich family story full of love, tradition, responsibility, and of course, food.
