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!
Halloween is Coming! By: Cal Everett Illustrated by: Lenny Wen
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
This is the perfect book to help young children enjoy all of the wonderful things about the Fall season and Halloween. It is done in rhyming verse and guides children to that final special day of “trick or treat”. The illustrations are beautiful and children will want to hear this lovely story over and over again.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what comes to his/her mind when they think of Halloween.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you some of the signs indicating that Halloween is near.
- After reading the story, ask the child to find rhyming words such as clear/near, play/hay, sweet/treat, etc.
- After reading the story, ask the child what costume he/she plans to wear on Halloween.
Additional Books:
- Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan By: Catherine Hapka Illustrated by: Loryn Brantz
- Pete the Cat Trick or Pete By: James Dean and Kimberly Dean
- Little Blue Truck’s Halloween By: Alice Schertle Illustrated by: Jill McElmurry
- Room on the Broom By: Julia Donaldson Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler
- The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! By: Elaine Bickell Illustrated by: Raymond McGrath
Cooking Time:
Spooky Spider Snacks
These cute snacks are so much fun and children will love making them. Just gather all of the ingredients, have a picture of the snack and let children be creative. These would be a great addition to a Halloween party.
1/2 cup peanut butter
48 Ritz crackers
1/2 cup chow mein noodles
1/4 cup raisins
- Spread 1 teaspoon of peanut butter on the tops of 24 crackers.
- Place four noodles on each side of the crackers to form the spider legs.
- Top with the remaining crackers.
- Put a small amount of peanut butter on each raisin and place two raisins on each cracker to form the eyes.
Makes 24 spiders.
White Chicken Chili
This is a wonderful alternative to regular chili and it is quick and easy to make. Children can help by chopping the chicken and onions, adding the ingredients and kitchen clean-up.
2 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped or shredded
2 (15 ounce) cans great northern beans, undrained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (4 ounce) can mild green chilies
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3 cups chicken stock
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup sour cream
- Heat the olive oil in a big pot.
- Add the onions and garlic and saute.
- Add the cumin, oregano and pepper and mix completely.
- Add the beans, green chilies and chicken stock and bring mixture to a boil.
- Reduce the heat and add the chicken and the cheese.
- Simmer until the cheese has melted and add the sour cream.
- Heat until incorporated.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Pumpkin Bread
This is a traditional Fall favorite. This recipe makes 2 nice sized loaves of moist pumpkin bread. Children can help by adding the ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a non-stick cooking spray, grease two 9 by 5 inch loaf pans.
3 1/2 cups flour
3 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
2/3 cup water
- Using a large bowl, stir together the sugar and oil until well combined.
- Add the eggs and pumpkin puree and whisk until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, allspice, cinnamon and cloves.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and combine.
- Add half of the water and combine.
- Repeat with the remaining flour and water.
- Divide the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
- Place the loaves on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the pans and return to the racks to complete the cooling process.
Makes 2 loaves.
Cobweb Hot Cocoa
Hot chocolate is delicious as the days get cooler. Adding the marshmallow webs on the top is perfect for Halloween. Children can help add the ingredients and make the webs on the cups,
2 cups milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
- Heat the milk, sugar, cocoa powder and salt in a medium pan over medium low heat.
- Cook, whisking, until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth and steaming with tiny bubbles around the edge of the pan, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the chocolate to the pan. Whisk until dissolved. Keep warm.
- Using a microwave safe bowl, heat the marshmallows until puffy, about 10 to 20 seconds.
- Stir until smooth. Allow to cool slightly.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug.
- Using a fork, lift up some of the melted marshmallow and drape over the mug, zigzagging strands across the top.
Makes 2 cups.
