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!
Click, Clack, Ho! Ho! Ho! By: Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin
Ages: Toddlers through First Grade
You may remember the wonderful book, Click, Clack, Moo! Cows That Type. Well, the farm animals are at it again! Duck tries to deliver a present just like Santa and it doesn’t go well. Children will need to follow the pictures carefully to see what happens in the story. This is a funny Christmas tale that everyone will enjoy.
Tips for Reading:
- As you read the story discuss with the child vocabulary such as stirring, swooshing and pitter-patter.
- On the pages where there are no words, ask the child to tell you what is happening in the pictures.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what the problem was and how it was solved.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you about their favorite part of the story.
Additional Books:
- Me and My Dragon, Christmas Spirit By: David Biedrzycki
- Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Christmas By: Joy Cowley Illustrated by: Elizabeth Fuller
- What Could Be Keeping Santa By: Marilyn Janovitz
- The Littlest Reindeer By: Brandi Dougherty Illustrated by: Michelle Lisa Todd
Cooking Time:
Festive Santa Cupcakes
These adorable cupcakes are perfect for the holidays because they are so easy to make. By using a cake mix, more time can be devoted to decorating. Children can help by adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs, decorating Santa and kitchen cleanup.
1 package cake mix, use your favorite
2 cans of vanilla frosting or 2 cups buttercream frosting (Recipe for buttercream frosting under the book, Lemons are not Red.)
Red gel or paste food coloring
Miniature marshmallows
Chocolate chips
Red hot candies
Flaked coconut
- Prepare the cake mix as directed for cupcakes, on the box. (Do not over bake.)
- Place the baked cupcakes on a wire rack to cool.
- Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
- Place 2/3 cup of the frosting in a bowl.
- Tint the icing red for Santa’s hat.
- Ice two-thirds of each cupcake with the vanilla frosting.
- Frost the top section of the cupcake with the red frosting for Santa’s hat.
- Place remaining vanilla frosting in a reusable plastic bag.
- Cut a 1/4th inch hole in the corner of the bag.
- Pipe a line of frosting to create the trim on the hat.
- Place a marshmallow on one side of the hat.
- Place chocolate chips for the eyes and a red hot for Santa’s nose.
- Press coconut on the white section of the cupcake to form Santa’s beard.
Makes 24 cupcakes.
Santa’s Reindeer
The reindeer watched as Santa helped get the animals unstuck from the chimney, so it is only fitting to make some delicious reindeer to enjoy. These easy to make treats are adorable! Children can help assemble the reindeer and kitchen cleanup.
Line baking sheets with waxed paper or parchment paper.
10 ounces vanilla candy white melting chocolates
24 miniature caramel corn flavored rice cakes
48 mini pretzel twists
48 chocolate chips
24 red hot candies
- Break off one section of each pretzel to form the antlers.
- Place the rice cakes on the cookie sheets.
- Using a small bowl, melt the white chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds.
- Remove and stir white chocolate. Continue in microwave for 15 seconds longer or until the chocolate is completely melted.
- Dip a rice cake in the white chocolate and return to the baking sheet.
- Immediately, dip corner of two pretzels and place on the rice cake to form antlers.
- Place the chocolate chips for the eyes and the red hot for the nose.
- Continue the process to form the rest of the reindeer.
- Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator for 5 minutes or let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.
- Store the reindeer in a tightly covered container.
Makes 24 reindeer.
