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!
Hedgehog’s Home for Fall By: Elena Ulyeva Illustrated by: Daria Parkhaeva
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
This beautifully illustrated book follows Hedgehog as he explores all of the changes happening as fall begins. He describes the changing of the leaves, the cooler air and the plans being made to prepare for winter by all of his forest friends. This is the perfect read aloud for this time of year.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Hedgehog was so puzzled when he went outside to look for his friends.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what looked different to Hedgehog.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Hedgehog noticed was different.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how some of the animals were preparing for the change of seasons.
- Ask the child to tell you some of their favorite things about fall.
Additional Books:
- The Leaf Thief By: Alice Hemmin Illustrated by: Nicola Slater
- It’s Fall! By: Renee Kurilla
- Fletcher and the Falling Leaves By: Julia Rawlinson Illustrated by: Tiphanie Beeke
- Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn By: Kenard Pak
Cooking Time:
Our recipes are all about “apples”!
Apple Salad
This is a sweet and healthy treat that the whole family will love. Children can help by cutting up the ingredients, measuring and mixing.
1 lemon, juiced
4 large Honeycrisp apples, cubed and cut into bite sized pieces
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 ribs celery, thinly sliced
1 cup red seedless grapes, halved
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
- Toss the cubed apples with the freshly squeezed lemon juice to prevent browning.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and brown sugar until combined.
- Add the apples, celery, grapes, pecans and cranberries.
- Stir in the mayonnaise mixture and make sure everything is coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Makes 8 servings.
Chocolate Caramel Apple Slices
The whole family will love these delicious treats. Children can help by dipping , drizzling and adding the toppings.
3 Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, washed and dried well
10 ounces Ghirardelli milk and or dark chocolate melting wafers
8 ounces soft caramel squares
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Popsicle sticks
Mini M & M’s, chopped nuts or other preferred toppings
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice each apple from top to bottom into 4 or 5 slices, about 1/2 inch wide.
- Use a melon baller and the tip of a paring knife to remove the stem and carve out the seeds and core.
- Insert a popsicle stick into the bottom of the apple.
- Melt the chocolate wafers in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Pat the apple slices until very dry on all sides.
- Dip the entire apple slice into the chocolate. Allow extra chocolate to drip off.
- Place the dipped apples onto the prepared baking pan. Slices should not touch.
- Refrigerate for 5 to 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
- Place the caramel squares in a microwave safe dish. Add the cream.
- Microwave for intervals of 20 to 30 seconds, stirring after each.
- Set aside to cool.
- Using a spoon, drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the chocolate apples.
- Sprinkle with desired toppings.
- Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes or until set.
Makes 12 slices.
Apple Butter Sugar Cookies
These delicious cookies are perfect for a fall treat. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the eggs, rolling the dough and adding the icing.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cookies:
3/4 cup butter softened
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup apple butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 large eggs
4 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
Icing:
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup apple butter
2 tablespoons apple cider
5 cups powdered sugar
- Using a mixer, combine the butter, oil, apple butter, sugars and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Add the eggs and mix until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, cream of tartar and baking soda.
- Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture. Combine until just blended.
- Refrigerate dough for at least 1 hour.
- Roll the dough into small balls.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 minutes.
- Remove and place on a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the baking sheets and return to the rack to cool completely.
- Using a mixer, combine the butter, apple butter and cider.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth and fluffy.
- Using a knife, put icing on the cooled cookies.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
