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!
Arthur’s Valentine By: Marc Brown
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
The “Arthur” books have been around for a very long time and the television series is entering its 25th and last year. Arthur has taken children through many adventures and we felt it was time to highlight him in our Blog. In this story, Arthur gets valentines from a secret admirer and he can’t figure out who it is. Through a lot of ups and downs, our story has a happy ending. Make sure to visit all of the the wonderful “Arthur” books.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the book, ask the child to tell you his/her experience with exchanging valentines and if he/she always knew who sent them.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what a secret admirer is.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why he/she thinks that Arthur’s friends teased him.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who Arthur’s secret admirer was.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why Arthur asked Francine to close her eyes and count to ten.
Additional Arthur Books:
- Arthur Goes to Camp
- Arthur’s Halloween
- Arthur’s Thanksgiving
- Arthur’s Christmas
- Arthur’s Teacher Trouble
Cooking Time:
Valentine Egg in a Hole
This is just a fun breakfast to serve children on Valentine’s Day. You can fix the egg hard or soft depending on what you prefer. Children can help by cutting out the heart shape, and cracking the egg.
1 large egg
1 slice bread (your favorite)
1 tablespoon butter, softened
Heart shaped cookie cutter
- Butter both sides of the bread.
- Use a heart cookie cutter to make the shape in the center of the bread.
- In a skillet on medium low heat, place a pat of the butter and let it melt.
- Add the slice of bread with the cutout heart to the skillet. Also add the heart cutout.
- If you think it might stick, spray nonstick spray into the hole before adding the egg.
- Add the egg into the heart shape.
- When the edges and bottom of the egg start to set, gently flip the bread and cook until the desired doneness. Cook about 2 minutes on each side.
- Be sure to also flip the heart shaped cutout.
Makes 1 serving.
Watermelon Heart Pops
These are very simple to make and just fun to eat. These pops are perfect for a Valentine’s Day breakfast side. Children can help by cutting out the hearts and putting them on the stick.
Seedless watermelon
Lollipop sticks
Heart shaped cookie cutter
- Just slice the watermelon into 1 inch slices.
- Using a heart cookie cutter, cut out heart shapes.
- Place each watermelon heart on a stick.
Make as many as you would like.
Roasted Heart Potatoes
This is such a fun side dish to make for Valentine’s Day. Children can help cut out the hearts and add the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush a baking sheet with olive oil
4 medium potatoes or 2 large
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoon salt (one for boiling the potatoes and one for the marinade)
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons rosemary
Heart shaped cookie cutter
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and brush a baking sheet with olive oil.
- Wash and peel the potatoes.
- Cut the potatoes into 1/2 inch slices.
- Cut out hearts in each potato slice by using a heart shaped cookie cutter.
- Keep the scraps of potato to fry later.
- Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil Add 1 teaspoon salt.
- Add the heart potatoes and reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Drain the potatoes and place them in a bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, a teaspoon of salt, paprika and rosemary.
- Pour over the cooked potatoes and let it marinate for 5 minutes. Be sure each potato is coated.
- Spread the potatoes on the prepared baking pan and roast for 15 minutes.
- Flip each potato over and roast for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes about 4 servings.
Sweet Heart Cookie
Most everyone loves a good chocolate chip cookie, so this cookie heart is perfect to share with friends and family on Valentine’s Day. Children can help by mixing and adding the ingredients, cracking the egg and adding the sprinkles.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cookie
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Using a mixer, place the melted butter into the bowl.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar and mix on low speed until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla. Mix on medium speed until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until the batter is smooth and comes together.
- Add the chocolate chips and mix by hand.
- Turn the dough out onto the parchment lined baking sheet and using your hands, form it into a heart. Cookie should be about 1/2 inch in thickness.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until slightly brown on top or a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frosting
4 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
Large star tip and piping bag
Valentine sprinkles
- Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and cocoa and mix until crumbly.
- Add the vanilla and mix.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the milk and mix until smooth. Add more liquid as needed until icing is the consistency for piping.
- Place the icing into a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
- Pipe swirls around the edge of the cookie.
- Add valentine sprinkles.
Makes 10 servings.
