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!
Dog Breath, The Horrible Trouble with Hally Tosis By: Dav Pilkey
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
This fun book has been around for awhile, but remains a favorite. In our story, the dog Hally is a wonderful pet, but has very bad breath. His breath is so bad that the Tosis family decide that he has to go. No worries, a miracle happens and Hally is saved and becomes a hero. This story is so funny and and the illustrations really help tell the story.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to explain what Hally’s problem was.
- After reading the story, turn to pages 2 and 3, look at the pictures, and ask the child to tell you what is wrong.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why the family decided to get rid of Hally.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what the children in the story did to try to save Hally.
- After reading, ask the child to explain what the miracle was that saved Hally.
- After reading, discuss with the child what the term “halitosis” means.
Additional Books:
- Sit, Stay, Love: Life Lessons From a Doggie By: Chalaine Kilduff Illustrated by: Sally Broderemann
- Before You Were Mine By: Maribeth Boelts Illustrated by: David M. Walker
- Harry the Dirty Dog By: Gene Zion Illustrated by: Margaret Bloy Graham
- If You Give a Dog a Donut By: Laura Numeroff Illustrated by: Felicia Bond
- Can I Be Your Dog? By: Troy Cummings
Cooking Time:
Cheesy Hot Dog Tater Tot Casserole
This is pure comfort food! It combines family favorites into one delicious dish. Children can help by slicing the hot dogs, measuring and adding the ingredients and putting the tater tots and cheese on the top of the casserole. Always include children in kitchen cleanup.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
8 hot dogs, cut into 1/2 inch slices
2 cans (15 ounces) chili
3/4 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup onion, finely chopped
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 (28 ounce) bag frozen tater tots
- In a large bowl, combine the hot dogs, chili, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and onion. Mix well.
- Place the chili mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheese evenly over the top.
- Spread the tater tots on top of the cheese layer.
- Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle the additional 1 cup of cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for another 10 minutes.
Makes 8 servings.
Cheesy Corn Dog Muffins
This is a perfect addition to go along with our casserole. Corn bread mix makes it so easy and fun to make. Children can help by cracking the egg, adding the ingredients and slicing the hot dogs.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place paper baking cups into muffin tin.
1 box Jiffy corn bread mix
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup chopped hot dogs
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- In a medium bowl, combine the corn mix, egg and milk. Mix until combined. Will be slightly lumpy.
- Allow the mixture to sit for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Fill the muffin tins 2/3 full.
- Evenly place the hot dogs on top of each muffin and press into the batter.
- Top with the cheese.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- Place the muffins on a cooling rack.
Makes 9 muffins.
Puppy Cupcakes
These cupcakes are adorable and fun to make. Children will love making the eyes, nose and mouth out of fondant.
Cake mix, your choice
Buttercream frosting (recipe below)
Pre-made fondant
Piping bag
Decorating Tip #234
- Prepare cupcakes according to the recipe on the back of the cake mix.
- Place on a wire rack for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the tins and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare buttercream frosting.
Buttercream Frosting
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla
6 cups powdered sugar
1/3 to 1/2 cup milk
- Using a mixer, cream the softened butter.
- Add the vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time, scraping the bowl after each addition.
- Add the milk a little bit at a time and beat on medium high to high speed until icing is the right consistency for spreading.
- Can add additional powdered sugar or milk as needed.
- Beat until light an fluffy.
- Place the decorating tip into a piping bag.
- Place the frosting into the bag.
- Pipe the icing around the top of the cupcake to look like fur.
- Roll black fondant to form eyes, nose and mouth.
- Form a piece of pink fondant in the shape of a tongue.
- Place the fondant pieces onto the cupcake to form the puppies face.
- Add additional icing to complete the puppy, as needed.
Makes 20 to 24 cupcakes.
