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!
How to Catch a Groundhog By: Alice Walstead and Emma Gillette Designs by: Andy Elkerton
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
This super fun book is perfect for children to better understand Groundhog Day. In the story, the kids are playing and scare the ground hog out of his hole. They do all sorts of things to find him before that special day on February 2nd. The pictures are perfect and it is important to know that the groundhog made it back in time.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what they know about Groundhog Day. If they are not aware, explain to them what happens on February 2nd each year.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why the groundhog left his home.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that the children did to lure the groundhog back to his home.
- After reading, ask the child if they plan to find out what the groundhog decides this February 2nd.
Additional “How to Catch” books by Adam Wallace:
- How to Catch the Tooth Fairy
- How to Catch a Leprechaun
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny
- How to Catch a Unicorn
- How to Catch a Dragon
Cooking Time:
Bacon, Egg and Cheese Muffins
Children will want to have a good breakfast on February 2nd, as they await the results of the groundhog. Children will love cracking the eggs and mixing the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 6 cup muffin tin.
5 large eggs
6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Salt and pepper to taste
- Using a mixing bowl, whisk the eggs. Add 4 slices of the crumbled bacon, saving the rest to sprinkle on the top.
- Add 1/2 cup cheese. Mix until incorporated.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Divide the egg mixture into the 6 muffin cups.
- Top each with the additional cheese (1/4 cup) and the bacon.
- Place in a 400 degree oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until they have puffed up and cooked through.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pan.
Makes 6 servings.
Cheesy Sticks
In our story, one of the children is eating cheese sticks, so here is a cheese stick recipe that the whole family will love. Children can help by rolling the cheese sticks in the dough and brushing on the butter mixture.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Refrigerated pizza dough (13.8 ounces)
4 cheese sticks
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
Marinara sauce
- Cut the dough into 8 small rectangles.
- Place 1/2 stick of cheese in the center of each piece of dough.
- Fold the dough around the cheese. Make sure it is entirely covered and all edges are sealed.
- Place breadsticks on the prepared baking sheet.
- In a bowl, place the melted butter, Italian seasoning, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix.
- Brush butter mixture on each of the breadsticks.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with marinara sauce.
Makes 8 breadsticks.
Orange Fluff
In our story, the children tried to lure the groundhog back home with yogurt and orange slices. Here we have a great orange dessert that kids will love. Children can help by adding the ingredients.
Orange Jello, small box
1 1/2 cups boiling water
Instant vanilla pudding (3.4 ounce package)
Cool Whip (8 ounce tub)
2 cans mandarin oranges (15 ounce cans), drained
2 cups miniature marshmallows
- Put the orange Jello powder in a large bowl. Add the bowling water.
- Whisk until all of the Jello is dissolved, 1 to 3 minutes.
- Place the bowl into the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
- Remove from the refrigerator and whisk in the vanilla pudding until fully incorporated.
- Place bowl back into the refrigerator for 5 minutes.
- Remove and check to make sure that the mixture is cool enough to add the Cool Whip.
- Gently fold in the Cool Whip.
- Add the drained oranges and the marshmallows.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving.
Makes 8 servings.
