*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
A Pizza the Size of the Sun Poems by Jack Prelutsky Illustrations by: James Stevenson
Ages: Preschool through Third Grade
Children need to hear the music of language. Poetry is an excellent way to share this experience with them. There are many great books filled with poetry for children and Jack Prelutsky has produced many of them. As you preview A Pizza the Size of the Sun, pick out those verses that are best suited for the listener’s development and interests. Read life into the poetry by using expression and different voices that fit the poem that you are reading. Poetry helps children with the development of letter-sound recognition, vocabulary, and rhyming patterns, but most of all, they are just a lot of fun.
Tips for Reading:
- Just enjoy the language of the poem with the child.
- If a poem rhymes, have the child pick out the rhyming words.
- Using the magnetic alphabet letters, pull a set of rhyming words from the text and change the beginning letter to make new words. (Refer to previous posting, Goodnight Numbers.)
- Encourage the child to make their own simple rhyme. (Example: I see a cat and he is wearing a hat, etc.)
Additional Books:
- The New Kid on the Block By: Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by: James Stevenson
- Where the Sidewalk Ends By: Shel Silverstein
- For Laughing Outloud: Poems to Tickle Your Funny Bone Compiled by: Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by: Marjorie Priceman
- Be Glad Your Nose is on Your Face and Other Poems By: Jack Prelutsky Illustrated by: Brandon Dorman
- A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood: The Poetry of Mister Rogers By: Fred Rogers Illustrated by: Luke Flowers
- Blackberry Ink By: Eve Merriam
*All of the books listed can be found on Amazon and most can be found at your local bookstore or library.
Cooking Time:
Pizzas for Everyone
Let’s make pizza! These great and easy recipes will not create a pizza the size of the sun, but they will be fun to make and even better to eat. Make sure to read the first poem in the book, A Pizza the Size of the Sun before making your pizza. Children can help by spreading the dough and adding the toppings.
Taco Pizza
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and grease a 15 inch by 10 inch baking pan.
1 tube refrigerated pizza crust (10 ounces)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional) (When cutting, use rubber or plastic gloves.)
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 cups fresh sweet corn, cut from the cob (About 2 ears of corn.)
1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and cubed (optional)
2 teaspoons lime juice (optional)
- Unroll pizza dough and place on a greased 15 inch by 10 inch by 1 inch baking pan.
- Flatten the dough and build up the edges slightly.
- Prick dough several times with a fork.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- In a bowl, combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, sugar, chili powder, salt, cumin and jalapeno pepper (optional).
- Spread over the cooled crust.
- If using avocado, toss with the lime juice and arrange over the sour cream mixture.
- Sprinkle evenly with tomato, corn and black beans.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over the pizza.
- Refrigerate until serving.
- Cut into squares and enjoy.
Makes 16 to 20 slices.
BBQ Chicken Pizza
1 prebaked Italian bread shell crust (16 ounces)
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 cup chopped onions (optional)
1 cup barbecue sauce (use your favorite)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Minced fresh parsley
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Place the crust on a 12 inch pizza pan.
- Mix the chicken and barbecue sauce in a bowl.
- Put the chicken mixture evenly on top of the pizza crust.
- Sprinkle the chopped onions evenly over the top of the pizza. (optional)
- Combine the two cheeses together.
- Sprinkle on top of the chicken mixture.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
Makes 8 slices.
BLT Pizza
1 prebaked Italian bread shell crust (16 ounces)
1/2 cup mayonnaise (not reduced fat or fat free)
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
12 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled (1 pound)
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded lettuce
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Put the crust on a 12 inch pizza pan.
- Combine the mayonnaise, basil, garlic powder and onion powder.
- Spread the mixture over crust.
- Set aside 1/4 cup of the bacon.
- Mix the cheeses together and sprinkle cheeses and remaining bacon over the crust.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Top with lettuce, tomatoes and reserved bacon.
- Cut into slices.
- Serve immediately.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
