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!
Ada Twist, Scientist By: Andrea Beaty Illustrated by: David Roberts
Ages: Kindergarten through Third Grade
Ada Twist was born very curious and to her parents dismay, she never stopped asking why, what, how and when. Her curiosity got her in trouble many times until her parents and teachers realized that Ada was going to be a scientist and that she needed their support. Asking questions is what scientists do and good science changes the world. This wonderful book explores Ada’s curiosity and sends the message that science offers a lot of career opportunities.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child if they know what a scientist does.
- After reading the story, discuss with the child what a “hypothesis” is.
- After reading the story, ask the child why he/she thinks that Ada would make a good scientist.
- After reading the story, ask the child what he/she wants to be when they grow up and why.
Additional Books by Andrea Beaty:
- Rosie Revere, Engineer
- Iggy Peck, Architect
- Sofia Valdez, Future Prez
- Rosie Revere’s Big Project Book for Bold Engineers
- Ada Twist’s Big Project Book For Stellar Scientists
Cooking Time:
Volcano Cake
Scientists continue to study volcanos, so this recipe seemed perfect to go along with our story. This cake is easy and so much fun to make. The chocolate cream cheese frosting is an added treat, but the surprise inside makes it really special. Children can help by adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs, adding the frosting and M & M’s.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will need a 9 inch round cake pan, an 8 inch round cake pan and an oven safe bowl.
1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
1 cup crushed pineapple which has been drained
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
2 to 3 cups mini M & M’s
- Spray the baking pans and bowl with non-stick cooking spray. Line the round pans with parchment paper and spray again.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the instructions on the box.
- Stir in the drained pineapple and walnuts (optional).
- Pour 2 cups of the batter into the 9 inch prepared cake pan.
- Pour 2 cups of the batter into the 8 inch prepared cake pan.
- Pour the rest of the batter into the greased bowl.
- Bake the round cakes for about 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- The cake in the bowl will take a few minutes longer.
- Remove the cakes to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cakes from the pans and bowl and return to racks to continue the cooling process.
Chocolate Frosting
1 1/2 packages (12 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
3/4 cup butter (1 1/2 sticks) at room temperature
6 cups powdered sugar
4 to 5 tablespoons milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup baking cocoa
Orange and red food coloring
5 red candles
- Using a mixer, cream the cream cheese and butter.
- Add the powdered sugar and milk alternately until the icing is smooth. Add additional milk if needed.
- Add the vanilla and mix.
- Remove 1 cup of the frosting to a separate bowl before adding the cocoa.
- Add the cocoa and beat until smooth.
- Divide the white frosting into two bowls. Add red food coloring to one bowl, and orange food coloring to the other bowl and mix.
Volcano Assembly
- Place the cooled 9 inch round cake on a serving platter.
- Cover with chocolate frosting.
- Place the 8 inch round cake on top of the iced 9 inch cake.
- Cut a 2 1/2 inch to 3 inch hole through the middle of both cakes. Keep cut out section to eat later.
- Fill the hole with mini M & M’s until completely filled.
- Place the cake from the bowl on top of the 8 inch round, covering the M & M’s.
- Cover the entire cake with the rest of the chocolate frosting so that it looks like a volcano.
- Using a spoon, spoon the red and orange frosting onto the top of the cake to look like lava.
- Add red candles for the flame.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
