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!
Finders Keepers By: Keiko Kasza
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
The squirrel in our story left his red hat to mark the place where he had buried an acorn. The hat had quite a journey as many of the forest creatures found good uses for it. Ultimately, the hat made its way back to the very place where our story began. This is such a fun tale with many twists and turns that children will love. It also gives the opportunity to discuss what you should do if you find something that belongs to someone else. The author and illustrator, Keiko Kasza is one of our favorites.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child the term “finders keepers” and if it is okay to keep something that you found that belongs to someone else.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you how the squirrel marked the spot where he buried the acorn.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you about some of the animals that found the hat and explain how the hat was useful to them.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what he/she would do if they found something that belonged to someone else.
Additional Books by Keiko Kasza:
- Don’t Laugh Joe
- The Rat and The Tiger
- My Lucky Day
- Badger’s Fancy Meal
- The Mightiest
- Silly Goose’s Big Story
- The Wolf’s Chicken Stew
Cooking Time:
This time it was difficult to find recipes that would fit with the book theme, so we decided just to try a couple of fun ideas that kids would love and to make one of our favorite cakes. Enjoy!
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots
This is a treat that is fun to make and will be enjoyed by the entire family. Children can help insert the cheese in the tots, wrap the bacon and insert the toothpicks.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
24 partially defrosted tater tots (about 15 minutes at room temperature)
12 strips of center-cut bacon, cut in half crosswise
24 chunks of cheddar cheese, cut in 1/2 inch chunks
Brown sugar (optional)
24 toothpicks
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a slit down the center of each tater tot.
- Stick a piece of cheddar cheese into each slit.
- Lay a slice of bacon on a flat surface and roll tightly around the tot. Secure with a toothpick.
- Continue with the rest of the tots.
- Bake in a 450 degree oven for 15 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.
Variation: Roll bacon wrapped tots in brown sugar before inserting toothpick to get a sweeter flavor. They are delicious!
Makes 24 appetizers.
Gilled Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
What a fun way to eat a toasted ham and cheese sandwich! Children will love making these roll-ups and eating them. Children can help by rolling out the bread, adding the ingredients and making the roll-ups.
8 slices white or wheat bread, crusts removed
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, softened
4 thin slices deli ham, cut in half
7 American cheese slices, cut in half
- Place the bread slices on a piece of waxed paper. Using a rolling pin, flatten each slice to form a 5 x 3 1/2 inch rectangle.
- Put a thin layer of butter on each slice of bread.
- Turn bread slices over and place one slice of ham on each, covering the bread.
- Add a half slice of cheese on the center of each slice of ham.
- Roll each slice very tightly.
- Place the roll-ups seam side down in a non-stick skillet.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes turning them occasionally. Cook until the cheese is melted and the roll-ups are lightly browned.
Makes 4 servings.
Pistachio Bundt Cake
This is one of our favorite cakes and it is so easy because it begins with a cake mix. Children will love helping to add the ingredients, cracking the eggs and putting on the icing.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a bunt cake pan with non-stick cooking spray.
1 package (15.25 ounces) yellow cake mix
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant pistachio pudding mix
1 cup water
4 large eggs
3/4 cup vegetable or canola oil
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons butter, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Pistachios, shelled and finely chopped (optional)
- Using a mixer, combine the cake mix, pudding mixes, water, eggs and oil.
- Beat at low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Pour batter into greased bundt pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake.
- Remove cake to a wire rack and cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cake from the bundt pan and place back on the rack to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, butter and milk to form the glaze. Add additional sugar or milk to get the right consistency.
- Pour the glaze over the cooled cake.
- Sprinkle the glaze with chopped pistachios, optional.
Makes 12 servings.
