Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents and caregiver 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!
Go, Dog. Go! By: P. D. Eastman
Ages: Toddlers through First Grade
Back to an “oldie” but a “goodie”. “Go, Dog. Go!” is over 60 years old, but should not be forgotten as a great read aloud for young children. This book covers so many early literacy skills and is just fun to read. It highlights color recognition, directionality and counting. Children will soon be reading this book on their own. A must for your home library.
Tips for Reading:
- As you are reading the book, discuss opposites, color words and directionality.
- After reading the book, ask the child to recall places where the dogs went.
- After reading a few times, the child may be able to read some of the pages on their own.
Additional Books by P. D. Eastman:
- Are You My Mother?
- The Best Nest
- Big Dog…Little Dog
- Flap Your Wing’s
- Sam and the Firefly
Cooking Time:
Race Car Hot Dogs
This lunch classic was perfect for this fun book. Children can help by putting the race car together.
Hot Dogs
Cherry tomatoes
English cucumber
Hot dog buns
Ketchup and mustard
- Cook your hot dogs however you prefer.
- While the hot dogs are cooking, slice the tomatoes in half.
- Cut circles from the cucumber.
- Put the prepared hot dog into the bun.
- Using toothpicks, attach the tomato half and cucumber to form the wheels.
- Add ketchup and mustard in strips down the hot dog.
- Add a piece of tomato and cucumber to form the steering wheel.
Make as many as you would like.
Hot Doggie Buns
These fun hot dog buns are so cute and really delicious. Children can help by forming the buns and adding the eyes and nose.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Large-sized frozen roll dough, thawed.
Egg wash (1 egg beaten and 1 teaspoon water whisked together)
Black olives, black beans or raisins for the eyes and nose
Hot dogs
- Cut one of the dough rounds into quarters.
- Take two of the quarter pieces and attach to either side on the top of a whole roll, so that they look like doggie ears.
- Place olives, black beans or raisins in place for the eyes and nose. Attach with toothpicks.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove to a rack and allow to cool completely.
- To form the mouth, cut the large roll in half and stop before you reach the ears.
- Remove the toothpicks.
- Add a cooked hot dog into the mouth.
Make as many as you would like.
Butterfly Hot Dogs
Just follow the basic recipe above. To make the wings, cut a roll into 4 pieces and bake. Slit the hot dog and add to the cooled rolls. Garnish with ketchup and mustard.
Paw Print Cookies
These tasty cookies are delicious and adorable. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the eggs and adding the chocolate pieces.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place parchment paper on baking sheets.
2 cups butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
4 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar for rolling dough
72 chocolate melting wafers
288 chocolate chips
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (3 to 5 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until combined.
- Mix in the vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Chill dough for at least 30 minutes.
- Scoop 1 tablespoon of dough and form into a ball.
- Roll the ball in additional sugar.
- Place the balls onto the prepared baking sheet at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and place on wire racks.
- Immediately place a wafer and chocolate chips on the dough to form the paw print.
- Remove from the baking sheets and return to the racks.
- Allow to cool completely.
Makes 6 dozen cookies.
