"[A] delightful cumulative story.... The outstanding baked clay and mixed-media illustrations are expressive, colorful, and detailed....Told with folkloric flair, this scrumptious tale is perfect for reading aloud to a broad range of ages. Every library will want a copy."
– School Library Journal
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"From Granny’s lace cap and embroidered apron to her woven basket and fuzzy dog, the fascinating tactile details will have young and old poring over the pages. Complete with a pie recipe and notes from both the author and illustrator that cite the origin of the tale (the English folktale “An Apple Dumpling”) and directions on how to make bas-reliefs, the book is a delicious treat to be shared anytime.”
– Booklist
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"The good-hearted text... scans well and will be a welcome addition to a storytime or family read-aloud. Baicker-McKee's bright, mixed-media collages include clay, fabric, pipe cleaners and other items, creating a pleasingly tactile look."
– Kirkus Reviews
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"Susan VanHecke retells An Apple Pie For Dinner and enjoys Carol Baicker-McKee's drawings in a recommendation for ages 5-8. Granny Smith wants to bake an apple pie, but she doesn't have any apples. Her desire to swap plums for apples gains her other things - including the one thing she REALLY wanted when her pie idea ripened. A fun story evolves."
– Midwest Book Review
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"Susan VanHecke’s warm-hearted narrative resonates with pleasing rhythms, lively repetition, and an upbeat happy-ever-after ending."
– School Library Journal, Curriculum Connections
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"Loved the book. [VanHecke] has a real gift."
– Graham Kerr, the "Galloping Gourmet," culinary and television personality and award-winning author
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"What a simply wonderful story about an elderly woman who wants to bake an apple pie but has no apples. She has plums, though, so she loads them in a basket and embarks on an adventure of trades that leads to a terrific lesson in sharing and kindness. This is one of my favorite books to read to my own children."
– Dr. Danny Brassell, LazyReaders.com
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"[Rating: Outstanding] When my daughter recently came to visit with her two children, we discovered that we had both read An Apple Pie for Dinner. My grandson was happy to see that his Utah grandma had this cute story that he had been reading on the road trip to Grandma’s. Lyn and I had both been attracted by the cover illustration, which showed the illustrator's skill at using varied textures and mediums. [Carol] Baicker-McKee's colorful illustrations use clay, fabric, buttons, hooks, embroidery, trims, etc. Children will enjoy looking for a tiny ladybug on each page! This "Law of the Harvest" story emphasizes confidently sticking to a task and unselfishly sacrificing to meet others' needs. The apple pie recipe and directions are a bonus. Enjoy!"
– The Children's Book and Play Review, Brigham Young University's Harold B. Lee Library, Department of Teacher Education and Department of Theatre and Media Art
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"Thank you for creating such a wonderful children's book."
– Penelope Piip, great-great-great-great granddaughter of the "real" Granny Smith, Maria Ann Smith, developer of the Granny Smith apple