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!
Buddy’s New Buddy By: Christina Geist Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
In our story, Buddy’s best friend moved across town and will no longer be in his class at school. Buddy has to figure out how to find a new “buddy”. This is a heartwarming story about finding common ground and making new friends. This would be a wonderful book for children as they enter a new school year.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Buddy was so worried.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what advice Buddy’s sister gave him.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that Buddy and Sunny had in common.
- After reading, ask the child to relate to you any experience that they may have had with making new friends.
Additional Books by Christina Geist:
- Buddy’s Bedtime Battery
- Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School
Cooking Time:
Apple Donuts
These delicious apple donuts are fun for sharing and really fun to make. Children can help by mixing the topping, spreading the topping on the apples and adding the sprinkles, nuts, etc.
3 apples, cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 cups water
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Sprinkles
Mini chocolate chips and/or mini M & M’s
Chopped nuts
- Slice the apples into 1/2 inch slices.
- Cut a small circle out of the middle of each apple slice so they look like donuts.
- Mix the water and lemon juice together.
- Soak the apple rings in the water mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. Pat dry.
- Mix together the peanut butter and cocoa powder until smooth and well combined.
- Spread peanut butter mixture onto each of the apple slices.
- Add toppings of choice.
Makes about 10 to 12 donuts.
Corn Dog Muffins
Children love corn dogs and these muffins are a fun alternative. Children can help by measuring , adding the ingredients, cutting the hotdogs and adding them to the muffins.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Generously spray a 24 cup mini-muffin pan with cooking spray.
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sour cream
2/3 cup milk
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 stick butter, melted
6 beef hot dogs, cut into 4 equal pieces
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, salt and baking soda.
- Create a well in the middle of the dry mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the sour cream, milk and eggs.
- Pour the wet mixture into the well of the dry mixture.
- Using a wooden spoon, gently stir until the wet mixture is incorporated into the dry mixture. Do not overmix.
- Slowly add the melted butter and gently mix.
- Add a heaping tablespoon of the batter into each muffin cavity.
- Insert a piece of hot dog directly into the center of each.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Allow to cool for 5 minutes on a cooling rack.
- Remove from the pan and serve warm.
Makes 24 mini-muffins. We actually had enough mix to make an additional dozen.
Pistachio Icebox Cake
Before making this recipe, you may need to explain what an ice box is. There are so many varieties of Ice Box Cakes, but this one is especially good. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and helping to make the layers.
Will need a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
2 (3.4 ounce) boxes instant pistachio pudding mix
2 1/2 cups milk
1 tub (16 ounces) whipped topping, thawed
1 (16 ounce) box graham crackers
Chopped pistachios for garnish, optional
- Using a mixer with a whisk attachment, combine the pudding mix and milk. Whisk together for 2 minutes on low speed.
- Fold in by hand, 1/2 of the whipped topping.
- Cover the bottom of a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with a single layer of graham crackers.
- Spread 1/2 of the pudding mixture evenly over the layer of crackers.
- Add another layer of graham crackers.
- Spread the rest of the pudding mixture over the crackers.
- Top with the remaining whipped topping.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Garnish with chopped pistachios, optional.
Makes 15 servings.
