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!
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh By: Mo Willems
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Our delightful pigeon is back and this time he wants to drive Santa’s sleigh. Once our feathered friend sees that the sleigh is propelled by reindeer, he changes his mind. Mo Willems has done it again and brought us a fun Christmas tale.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have heard any of the other “Pigeon” books.
- After reading the story, ask the child how Santa felt about Pigeon driving the sleigh.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Pigeon tried to convince everyone that he could drive the sleigh.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why Pigeon changed his mind about driving the sleigh.
Additional Books by Mo Willems:
- Don’t Let Let Pigeon Drive the Bus!
- The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!
- The Pigeon Will Ride the Roller Coaster!
- The Pigeon Has to Go to School!
- The Pigeon Has Feelings, Too!
Cooking Time:
Tater Tot Appetizers
This is a fun recipe for Christmas parties. Children can help by adding the tater tots and adding the toppings.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray mini muffin pans with cooking spray.
36 frozen tater tots
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 green onions, sliced (green part only)
- Stand 3 tater tots in each mini muffin cup.
- Place the muffin pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven.
- Spray the bottom of a small shot glass with non-stick cooking spray.
- Press the tater tops in each muffin cup with a twisting motion to form a potato cup.
- Return to the oven and bake an additional 15 minutes or until deep golden brown.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cheese to each potato cup.
- Bake for another 4 to 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
- Allow to cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
- Remove the potato cups to a platter.
- Add sour cream, bacon and green onions to each potato cup.
- Serve warm.
Makes 12 servings.
Red and Green Fruit Salad
This colorful salad is perfect for the holiday season as well as being a healthy addition. Children can help by preparing the fruit, measuring and adding the ingredients.
1 medium red apple, chopped
1 medium green apple, chopped
2 cups green grapes cut in half
1 cup dried cranberries
3 to 4 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced
16 ounces strawberries, sliced
Dressing:
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon ginger
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together all of the chopped fruit.
- Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss.
- Refrigerate until time to serve.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Reindeer Brownies:
Kids will love decorating these brownies to look like reindeer. Children can help by adding the ingredients and decorating the brownies.
Brownie Mix
Canned chocolate frosting.
Twist pretzels
Candy eyes
Red M & M’s
- Prepare the brownies according to package instructions.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Ice the cooled brownies with chocolate frosting.
- Cut the brownies into rectangles.
- Add the pretzels for the antlers.
- Add the candy eyes and red M & M for the nose.
Make as many as you would like.
Christmas Tree Brownies
These are so easy and fun to make since you can use a boxed mix and canned frosting. Children can help by adding the ingredients and decorating.
Brownie Mix
Canned chocolate frosting
Tube of prepared green frosting with decorating tips
Candy canes
Jumbo rainbow round sprinkles
Candy stars
- Prepare the brownies according to package instructions.
- Allow to cool completely.
- Ice the cooled brownies with frosting.
- Cut the brownies into triangles to look like Christmas trees.
- Add a stick of candy cane for the trunk.
- Make garland with the green frosting.
- Add the rainbow sprinkles.
- Add a candy star to the top of the tree.
Make as many as you would like.
