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!
Bear Stays Up For Christmas By: Karma Wilson Illustrated by: Jane Chapman
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
Bear is always sleeping through Christmas, but his dear forest friends decide that he must stay awake to enjoy the festivities. Although it is very hard to keep his eyes open, he does, and even finds the opportunity to thank his friends with a Christmas surprise. This is a beautiful book and a great story for this holiday season.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, look at the inside of the cover (bear in his cave) and discuss hibernation and the animals that sleep through the winter.
- While reading the story, discuss any new vocabulary such as lair, hare, hoist, etc.
- After reading the story ask the child to tell you the many ways that the animals kept Bear awake.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Bear did after all of his friends went to sleep.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Bear’s present was and why this gift was so special.
Additional Books:
- The Littlest Reindeer By: Brandi Dougherty Illustrated by: Michelle Lisa Todd
- What Could Be Keeping Santa By: Marilyn Janovitz
- Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! By: Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
- A Christmas Wish for Corduroy Created by: Don Freeman Story by: B.G. Hennessy Illustrated by: Jody Wheeler
Cooking Time:
Mini Tacos
These little bite sized taco filled shells are an easy and delicious appetizer for the holidays. They can be made ahead of time and warmed up right before a party. Children can help by adding the ingredients, filling the tart shells and topping them with cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 pound ground chuck
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 envelope taco seasoning
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (1/2 cup goes into the taco mix and 1 cup goes on top)
2 packages (1.9 ounces each) frozen miniature phyllo tart shells
- In a skillet, cook the ground chuck and onion until the meat is no longer pink. Crumble the meat and drain.
- Return the meat mixture to the skillet and add the taco seasoning and water.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese.
- Place the tarts on the lined baking sheet. Fill each tart with taco mixture. They will be quite full.
- Bake for 6 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle each with the remaining 1 cup of cheese.
- Return to the oven and bake for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen.
Green Bean Casserole (with a twist)
Green Bean Casserole is a classic side for the holidays. This one is just a little different from the traditional recipe. Children can help by adding and mixing the ingredients, sprinkling on the toppings and kitchen cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup milk
2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) French-style green beans, drained
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 can (6 ounces) French-fried onions
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- In a medium bowl, stir together the soup and milk until combined.
- Stir in the green beans, water chestnuts, 1/2 of the onions and 1/2 cup cheese.
- Place in a 1 1/2 quart baking dish.
- Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the rest of the onions on top. Cover the onions with 1/2 cup cheese.
- Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Allow to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Makes 6 servings.
Chocolate Reindeer Cookies
These cookies are delicious and adorable at the same time. The cookies taste like brownies and are very easy to make. Children will love helping to form them into reindeer. If you don’t want to make reindeer, just add some holiday sprinkles to the top of each iced cookie. Children can add the ingredients, crack the eggs, stir, form the cookie balls, add the icing and decorate.
2 3/4 cups flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, cubed
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
2 tablespoons water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cans chocolate frosting
Candy eyes
Reese’s mini white peanut butter cups
Twist pretzels
Peanut butter M & M’s
Edible color markers
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, soda and salt. Set aside.
- In a large saucepan, place the butter, brown sugar and water.
- Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the butter is completely melted.
- Remove from heat and add the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
- Stir in the eggs and vanilla.
- Stir in the flour mixture and mix until completely incorporated.
- Let the mixture stand for 15 minutes, or until the mixture can be shaped into balls.
- Using a 1 or 1 1/2 inch melon scoop, form the dough into balls. Roll and then flatten.
- Place the flattened balls into a container (with lid) lined with waxed paper or parchment paper, separating each layer of cookies.
- Freeze the cookies until firm. Can freeze up to 3 months.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the cookies from the freezer and place on parchment lined cookie sheets at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake for 12 to 14 minutes.
- Place the cookie trays on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the trays and return them to the racks to complete the cooling process.
- Put icing on the cooled cookies.
- To form into reindeer, begin by placing a Reese’s cup for the nose.
- Put a little icing on a red M & M and place on the Reese’s cup.
- Use the marker to make a mouth.
- Add the candy eyes.
- Add the pretzels for antlers.
- If not making reindeer, add holiday sprinkles.
Makes 5 dozen smaller cookies and 3 1/2 dozen larger cookies.
