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!
Corduroy By: Don Freeman
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
We have been presenting a number of new books in our Blog and decided to go back to a classic. Corduroy has been around for over 50 years and is as appealing to children today as it was when first printed. In this original story, Corduroy is in the department store waiting to be purchased, but has somehow lost a button to his overalls. As we know, a special little girl finds him and takes him home. Children will also enjoy the many additional books highlighting this sweet little bear.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to look at the cover of the book and predict what the story might be about.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Corduroy wants more than anything.
- After reading, ask the child to recall why the little girl’s mother would not buy Corduroy.
- After reading, ask the child how Corduroy tried to solve the problem of the missing button.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how the little girl was able to get Corduroy and what did she do about the missing button.
Additional Corduroy Books:
- A Pocket for Corduroy
- Corduroy Takes a Bow
- Corduroy’s Easter Party
- Corduroy Lost and Found
- Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever
- A Christmas Wish for Corduroy
Cooking Time:
Fruit Bear
How fun is a bear made out of fruit. Children will love making and eating this healthy bear. Just give the child the fruit and let them be creative.
Apple slices
Kiwi, sliced for ears and nose
Blueberries
- Place the kiwi halves on the apple slice to form the ears.
- Add a slice of kiwi for the nose.
- Place blueberries on the slice for the eyes and nose.
Make as many as you would like.
Bear Pancakes
We have posted a number of pancake recipes on our Blog, but this recipe is our favorite and perfect for this sweet bear. Children can add the ingredients, crack the eggs and assemble the pancakes to form the bear and add the fruit.
1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
Blueberries
Banana
Strawberries
Maple syrup
- Using a microwave safe dish, melt the butter and set aside to slightly cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg, milk and butter.
- Whisk together until the batter is smooth.
- Place a large skillet or griddle on medium heat.
- Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using a measuring cup, form a medium pancake for the body.
- Form another pancake, slightly smaller for the head.
- Make 4 silver dollar pancakes for the arms and legs.
- Cook until lightly golden on the bottom and bubbles on the top.
- Flip and cook until the other side is golden.
- Assemble the pancakes on a plate to form the bear.
- Decorate the bear by placing banana slices for the ears and mouth.
- Add blueberries for the eyes, nose and buttons.
- Cut a strawberry lengthwise for the bow tie.
- Serve with maple syrup.
Makes 3 to 4 bears.
Peanut Butter Bear
What a great treat for breakfast or lunch! Children will love making their peanut butter toast into a bear.
Slice of bread
Creamy peanut butter
Banana slices
Chocolate candy
- Toast a slice of your favorite bread.
- Spread with peanut butter.
- Add the banana slices for the ears and nose.
- Add the chocolate pieces for the eyes and nose.
Make as many as you like.
Bear Paw Cupcakes
These cupcakes are fun and can be made easy by using a cake mix and canned frosting. Children will love adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs, adding the icing, dipping the cupcakes in the coconut and making the bear paw on the top.
1 cake mix (use your favorite)
1 can vanilla frosting
Sweetened coconut
Oreos
Brown M & M’s
- Prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the package.
- Spread each cooled cupcake with vanilla frosting.
- Dip each iced cupcake in coconut to cover the top.
- Add the Oreo and candies to form the paw.
Makes 24 cupcakes.
