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!
Everything’s Wrong! By: Jory John Illustrated by: Erin Kraan
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Have you ever had a day when nothing seems to go right? That is the theme of this fun story. It became so bad, that it was almost funny. The lesson to learn is that even on a bad day, good and fun things can happen with the support of good friends.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have every had a day when everything seemed to go wrong.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Bear and Hare felt about the day when they first got out of bed.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what changed how they felt.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that happened to them.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how a bad day turned into a good one.
Additional Books by Jory John:
- The Good Seed
- The Bad Seed
- The Big Cheese
- The Smart Cookie
- The Good, the Bad and the Spooky
Cooking Time:
All of these recipes are perfect for sharing with good friends.
Mini Tacos
These are so easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and dressing the tacos.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
18 corn tortillas, yellow or white
1 pound ground chuck
1/4 cup water
1 cup quesadilla or Mexican shredded cheese
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Brown the ground chuck over medium heat. Drain and return to skillet.
- Add the water and all of the spices, but just 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Cook on medium heat for 1 more minute.
- Using a 3 inch biscuit or cookie cutter, cut each tortilla into a smaller circle.
- Brush the top of each tortilla circle with oil, then place oil side down in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets.
- Spoon a tablespoon of meat onto each tortilla circle.
- Spoon a heaping teaspoon of cheese over the beef.
- Bake in a 425 degree oven for 1 minute or until the cheese just starts to melt.
- Fold the tortillas in half with a spatula and press flat.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt over the top of the tortillas.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown, flipping them halfway through.
Makes 18 Tacos.
Marshmallow Funfetti Popcorn
This is a fun treat to share with family and friends. Children can help by adding the ingredients and coating the popcorn.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8 cups popped popcorn (1 bag of microwave popcorn)
Salt
1 (7 ounce) jar of marshmallow cream
1/4 cup funfetti dry cake mix
1/2 cup white chocolate melting wafers or white chocolate chips
1/4 cup sprinkles
- Put popcorn in a large bowl and salt to taste.
- Put the marshmallow cream in a microwave safe dish. Heat for 15 seconds at a time until it is easy to pour.
- Quickly add the cake mix to the marshmallow and stir until combined.
- Quickly drizzle the mixture over the popcorn and stir to coat.
- Scatter the popcorn onto a lined cookie sheet and sprinkle on the sprinkles while it is still sticky.
- Melt the white chocolate in the microwave in 20 second intervals until melted.
- Drizzle over the popcorn.
Makes 10 servings.
German Chocolate Pie
This is the perfect dessert to share with friends. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1 uncooked pie crust (store bought or homemade)
1/2 cup melted butter
1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup flaked coconut
- Place the uncooked pie crust in a pie pan. Flute edges.
- In a small bowl, microwave the butter until melted.
- Add 1 cup chocolate chips and stir until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar and sugar.
- Slowly add the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and stir until blended.
- Add the eggs one at a time and mix.
- Add the vanilla.
- Fold in the pecans, coconut and 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
- Pour into the unbaked pie crust.
- Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the top is set. Don’t over bake.
- Allow to cool before serving.
- Optional: Top with whipped topping, toasted coconut and chocolate shavings.
Makes 8 servings.
