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!
A Bear is a Bear (except when he’s not) By: Karl Newson Illustrated by: Anuska Allepuz
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
Poor bear woke up in the middle of hibernation and forgot that he was a bear. He tries to be many other forest creatures, but none of them seemed to fit. Fortunately, he figures it out after a restful sleep. Children will love following the bear as he tries to discover his true identity. The story is done in rhyming verse and the pictures are adorable.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what bear’s problem was after he awakes from his nap.
- After reading the story, ask the child to recall some of the animals that bear thought he might be.
- After reading the story, discuss with the child the concept of “hibernation”.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what the solution was to bear’s memory problem.
- As you read the story the second time, ask the child to repeat the repetitive phrases with you.
- After reading, ask the child to find some rhyming words such as dry/my, nest/rest, etc.
Additional Books:
- The Bear Ate Your Sandwich By: Julia Sarcone-Roach
- Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See? By: Bill Martin and Eric Carle
- Bear Can’t Wait By: Karma Wilson Illustrated by: Jane Chapman
- Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? By: Bill Martin and Eric Carle
- Where’s My Teddy? By: Jez Alborough
Cooking Time:
Sandwich Bear
This fun sandwich is perfect for a children’s party or family event. Children will love helping by adding all of the sandwich toppings and arranging the bear on the platter.
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1 unsliced round loaf of bread, 10 inches
1 unsliced round loaf of bread, 5 inches
5 unsliced rolls, 3 1/2 inches
3/4 pound thinly sliced deli ham
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3/4 pound thinly sliced deli turkey
Leaf lettuce, optional
2 large pitted ripe olives
- Using a mixer, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.
- Add the mayonnaise, mustard and onion powder and mix completely.
- Slice the bread and rolls one-third from the bottom of each.
- Carefully, hollow out tops of bread and rolls, leaving a 1/2 inch shell.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture on the cut side of bread and rolls.
- Fill the large center loaf of bread with the ham and half of the cheese.
- Fill the rolls with turkey and remaining cheese.
- Replace all tops.
- Assemble bear by placing the large loaf on a board covered in lettuce leaves.
- Place the 5 inch roll in place for the bear’s head.
- Place 4 of the smaller rolls in place for the arms and legs.
- Cut the last small roll in half to form the ears.
- Place one olive for the nose and slice the other olive in half for the eyes. Secure with toothpicks.
- Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
Makes 16 servings.
Honey Applesauce Bread
Bears love honey, so it seemed fitting to add a couple of recipes where honey is the main ingredient. Children can help by cracking the eggs, measuring and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans (9 by 5 inches) with non-stick cooking spray.
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 1/2 cups applesauce, unsweetened
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter, sugar and honey. (3 to 5 minutes)
- Add the eggs, and mix until combined.
- Add the applesauce and mix.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and cinnamon.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until incorporated.
- Pour the batter evenly into the two loaf pans.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove the bread from the oven and place on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the pans and return to the racks to cool completely.
Makes 2 (9 by 5 inch loaves) or 6 (3 by 5 inch loaves).
Honey Buttermilk Pie with Praline Topping
This wonderful pie takes a bit of time to make, but it is well worth it. The Praline Topping is divine! Children can help by adding the ingredients, pressing the crust into the pan and cracking the eggs.
Crust:
1 stick butter, very soft
2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
Filling:
4 large eggs
2/3 cup, minus 1 tablespoon, sugar
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
Topping:
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Crust:
- Using a mixer, blend together the butter and powdered sugar.
- Add the egg and mix until well combined.
- Add the vanilla and salt and mix.
- Add the flour in one step and mix on low speed. Do not overmix.
- Press the dough into a ball and flatten. Place in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Remove the dough from the refrigerator and press into a 9 inch pie pan. Spread the dough up the sides to form a rim around the edge of the pie pan.
- Press dough into any cracks or tears.
- Prick the bottom and sides with a fork.
- Place in the oven and bake for 13 minutes or until golden and edges are light brown.
- Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. Prepare the filling.
Filling:
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs vigorously for 1 minute.
- Add the sugar and honey, vigorously whisk.
- Add the buttermilk, vanilla and salt. Whisk to combine.
- Pour filling mixture into the pie crust.
- Place into the oven and bake until the pie is set and no longer wiggles in the center when tapped, about 45 minutes.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool. Prepare topping.
Topping:
- In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey, cream and butter.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, salt, pecans and cinnamon.
- Spread onto cooled pie.
Makes 8 servings.
