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!
5 More Sleeps ‘Till Halloween By: Jimmy Fallon Illustrated by: Rich Deas
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Jimmie Fallon has done it again! His new Halloween book is one of our favorite stories for the season. It is modeled after his wonderful Christmas story, “5 More Sleeps ‘Till Christmas”. His new book chronicles a child’s excitement as they anticipate dressing up for Halloween and trick or treating. All children can relate to this fun story.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what they love about the Halloween holiday.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you how the little boy in the story felt about Halloween.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that scared the little boy.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you about some of the costumes that the little boy thought about wearing and what was his final choice.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what other activities that the little boy wanted to do to celebrate.
- After reading, ask the child to discuss their plans for Halloween.
Additional Books by Jimmie Fallon:
- 5 More Sleeps ’til Christmas
- Dada
- Mama
- Baby
- Nana
- Con Pollo
Cooking Time:
Halloween Crackers
This simple Halloween treat is delicious and fun to make. Children can help by laying out the crackers and decorating the top.
35 saltine crackers, around one sleeve
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
10 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Candy eyeballs
Candy corn
Halloween M & M’s
Halloween sprinkles
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Line the saltines in rows on the prepared baking sheet.
- Melt the butter and brown sugar in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly until thick.
- Pour the hot mixture over the saltines and spread.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 4 to 5 minutes or until browned and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the chocolate chips.
- Allow the chocolate chips to sit for 5 minutes. Spread the chocolate evenly over the saltines.
- Top with the candy eyeballs, candies and sprinkles.
- Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours until hardened.
- Break into pieces and serve.
Makes 20 servings.
Nutter Butter Mummies
Transform a cookie into mummies! Children will love to decorate these sweet mummies.
Nutter Butter Cookies
White chocolate melting wafers
Candy eyeballs
- Melt the wafers in a microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Dip each cookie into the chocolate and shake off the excess. Place on waxed paper or a rack to harden. Can refrigerate for a few minutes.
- Melt more wafers. Put in a piping bag or zip lock bag. Snip the corner and drizzle over the cookies to look like the mummy’s wrapping.
- Add the eyes.
- Allow to harden. Can put in the refrigerator.
Make as many as you would like.
Oreo Eyeball Truffles
These look really creepy, but are very delicious. Children can help by mixing the ingredients, forming the balls and decorating.
36 Oreo Cookies
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
12 ounces white chocolate wafers
30 large candy eyeballs
Red decorating gel
- Crush the Oreos in a food processor or put in a zip lock bag and smash with a rolling pin.
- Place the crushed cookies into a medium bowl and add the cream cheese. Mix until the mixture comes together.
- Using a cookie scoop or tablespoon, form the mixture into balls.
- Place on a plate or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Chill for an hour.
- Melt the white chocolate wafers in a microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Using a toothpick, dip the balls into the melted chocolate until completely coated.
- Place back on the baking sheet.
- Cool in the fridge for 30 minutes or until the candy has hardened.
- Place a dollop of red gel on the top of each ball and drizzle 4 to 5 lines down the sides.
- Press a candy eyeball on top of the gel.
- Chill
Makes 30 eyeballs.
Brownie Mummies
Using a prepared mix makes this very easy. Children can help by making the brownies, adding the drizzles and eyeballs.
1 brownie mix
White melting chocolate wafers
Candy eyeballs
- Prepare the brownies according to the package directions. Allow to cool completely.
- Cut into squares.
- Melt the wafers in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Put the melted chocolate in a zip lock bag or piping bag. Cut off the corner and drizzle across each brownie.
- Add the eyeballs.
Make as many as you would like.
Donut Spiders
Children will love helping you make these sweet spiders. They can add the legs and eyeballs to each mini doughnut.
Chocolate mini donuts
Candy eyeballs
Pretzels
Chocolate icing
- Break the pretzels, forming 8 legs for each spider.
- Attach the legs to the donut.
- Place icing onto the back of the eyes and attach to the donut.
Make as many as you would like.
