Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregivers of young children. Each post will highlight a great book that all children should hear, with tips to enrich beginning reading skills. You will also find fun recipes that go along with each story. Enjoy reading and cooking with the children in your life.
*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Snow Thief By: Alice Hemming Illustrated by: Nicola Slater
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
The Snow Thief is a great follow-up to The Leaf Thief. In this story, squirrel is shocked to see all of the white stuff covering the ground. Bird explains to him all about snow and the cold air. Bird teaches Squirrel about ice, snowflakes and building a snow squirrel. The last two pages of the book provides educational information about story events. This is a wonderful winter time story.
Tips for Reading:
- If the child has heard “The Leaf Thief”, ask them to tell you about the story.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Squirrel was so surprised when he came out of his home and who did he ask to help.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that Bird taught Squirrel about the snow.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Squirrel’s biggest concern was.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you if there was really a snow thief.
Additional Books:
- It’s Winter By: Renee Kurilla
- The Snowy Day By: Ezra Jack Keats
- The Mitten By: Jan Brett
- Snow By: Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by: Lauren Stringer
- Snowmen at Night By: Caralyn Buehner Illustrated by: Mark Buehner
Cooking Time:
Pizza Grilled Cheese Sandwich
This is the perfect lunch on a cold winter’s day. It combines two favorites and it is so easy to make. Children can help by adding the layers to the bread.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8 tablespoons spaghetti sauce
1 box garlic Texas toast (8 slices)
6 ounces sliced pepperoni
8 ounces mozzarella cheese slices
- Place the garlic toast on the baking sheet. Bake for 7 minutes or until the toast is slightly toasted around the edges.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce on each of 4 slices of the garlic toast.
- Top the sauce with 6 slices of pepperoni.
- Top the pepperoni with a slice of cheese.
- Add another layer of pepperoni and cheese on each of the 4 slices of toast.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of sauce on the remaining 4 slices of toast.
- Place slice on top of the pepperoni and cheese to form a sandwich.
- Heat a skillet to medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Heat each sandwich until the cheese is melted and contents are hot.
Makes 4 servings.
Spaghetti Casserole
This is a perfect comfort food for the whole family. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, cracking the egg and forming the layers.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 11 inch casserole dish.
1 pound spaghetti
2 jars (24 ounces each) spaghetti sauce
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
1 cup ricotta cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Drain and combine with 1 jar of spaghetti sauce. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until translucent and soft.
- Add the garlic and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the ground chuck and break up pieces.
- Cook until meat is no longer pink. Drain and return to the skillet.
- Add the second jar of spaghetti sauce and combine completely.
- Using a mixer, combine the ricotta, sour cream, cream cheese, egg, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Add half of the pasta to the prepared baking pan.
- Top with all of the cheese mixture.
- Sprinkle 1 cup of the mozzarella over the cheese mixture.
- Add the rest of the pasta and top with the meat sauce.
- Finally, add the last cup of mozzarella and top with the parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
Makes 10 servings.
Coconut Snowballs
This is the perfect dessert for a snowy day. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and rolling the balls.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons coconut or vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
3 cups shredded sweetened coconut
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, powdered sugar and sugar.
- Add the extract and combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- Using a 2 inch scoop, shape dough into balls.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes prior to baking.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on cooling rack.
- Melt the chocolate wafers in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Roll each cooled cookie in the chocolate and then in the coconut.
- Return to the rack until chocolate as hardened.
Makes 20 cookies.
