Jealous of their Beet Valley neighbors, who win all the prizes for produce, the Appleville people put all their resources into growing a single giant fruit. Sure enough, the glow is theirs--but there's nothing to eat but the apple, and when winter comes they must use all their savings to buy food in Beet Valley. First published in Germany, this fable doesn't rise much above its didactic message, but it's interesting to know that Europeans are conveying such a message to their children. The lively pen-and-watercolor illustrations add a humorous, tall-tale flavor.