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!
Big Chickens By: Leslie Helakoski Illustrated by: Henry Cole
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
Big Chickens is a funny book about four chickens who thought they were actually “chicken”. They were afraid of everything that they encountered, but in the end, realized that they were actually quite brave. This hilarious book has amazing descriptive language and word play. The illustrations are fun and help tell the story.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, look through the pictures and ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks the story is going to be about.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you some of the things that frightened the chickens.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why the chickens were so happy at the end.
- Just enjoy this fun book!
Additional Books:
- Big Chickens Fly the Coop By: Leslie Helakoski Illustrated by: Henry Cole
- Big Chickens Go to Town By: Leslie Helakoski Illustrated by: Henry Cole
- Chicken Big By: Keith Graves
- Interrupting Chicken By: David Ezra Stein
- Big Pigs By: Leslie Helakoski
Cooking Time:
Potato Chip Big Chicken Strips
You can’t read a story about chickens and not include a chicken recipe. This recipe combines two favorites, chicken strips and potato chips. The chips make a tasty coating and this recipe is easy because the strips are baked and not fried. Children can help by adding the ingredients, coating the chicken and kitchen cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
1 cup sour cream
1/8 teaspoon garlic salt
1/8 teaspoon onion salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
2 cups potato chips, crushed
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into two inch strips
1/4 cup butter, melted
Favorite sauces for dipping
- Cut the chicken breasts into 2 inch strips.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the sour cream, garlic salt, onion salt and paprika.
- Crush the potato chips by putting them in a zip lock bag and pressing with the palms of your hands and place in a shallow bowl.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the sour cream mixture and make sure they are completely covered. Very messy, but fun for kids.
- Then place the chicken into the crushed chips and completely coat with chips.
- Place the coated chicken onto the greased baking sheet.
- Pour the melted butter over the chicken.
- Place into a 400 degree oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Zucchini Parmesan Crisps
These zucchini chips are a great substitute for fries and really easy and delicious. Children can help by dipping the zucchini and kitchen cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and spray a large baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2 medium zucchini
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- Slice the zucchini into 1/4 inch rounds.
- Place the sliced zucchini into a bowl and add the olive oil.
- Mix to make sure that all of the zucchini rounds are covered with oil.
- In a bowl, mix the bread crumbs, cheese, salt and pepper.
- Dip each piece of zucchini into the crumb mixture, making sure to coat on both sides.
- Place the zucchini on the baking sheet in a single layer.
- Bake in a 450 degree oven for 25 to 28 minutes.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
