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!
I Love My Fangs! By: Kelly Leigh Miller
Ages: Toddlers through First Grade
When a child loses his/her first tooth, it can be very traumatic. Imagine what it would be like if you were Little Dracula and you lost your first fang. Little Dracula does everything that he can to get the fang to stay in his mouth, but nothing works. He even gets angry at the Tooth Fairy! Of course, it all works out in the end. This is such a fun book and the illustrations are adorable.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child if he/she has ever had a loose tooth and what happened.
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child what a “family trait” means.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the things that Little Dracula did to put his fang back into his mouth.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who came to visit Little Dracula while he was sleeping and why did he think she came.
- After reading the story, discuss with the child why baby teeth come out.
- After reading, discuss with the child the importance of dental hygiene.
Additional Books:
- Pete the Cat and the Lost Tooth By: James and Kimberly Dean
- The Night Before the Tooth Fairy By: Natasha Wing Illustrated by: Barbara Johansen Newman
- How to Catch the Tooth Fairy By: Adam Wallace Illustrated by: Andy Elkerton
- Llama Llama Loses a Tooth By: Anna Dewdney
- You Think It’s Easy Being the Tooth Fairy? By: Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt Illustrated by: David Slonim
Cooking Time:
Apple Smiles
These fun treats are easy to make and are a healthy snack. Children can help spread the peanut butter, add the marshmallows and assemble the smiles.
Apples
Peanut Butter
Miniature Marshmallows
- Cut the apple in half and core. Cut into 1/2 inch slices.
- Spread peanut butter on one side of each slice.
- Put miniature marshmallows between two slices to form the teeth.
Make as many as you would like.
Taco Pie
We think Little Dracula would love this easy to eat Taco Pie. The crescent crust makes this pie special. Children can help by pressing the dough into the pie pan, adding the ingredients and toppings.
1 tube crescent dough sheet, 8 ounces
1 pound ground chuck
3/4 cup salsa of your choice
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (not quite a whole package)
1 cup canned refried beans
1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese or Mexican blend cheese, shredded
Chopped iceberg lettuce, optional
Chopped tomatoes, optional
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Unroll the crescent roll sheet and place in an ungreased 9 or 10 inch pie pan. Stretch the dough to fit and cut when needed. Doesn’t have to be perfect.
- In a large skillet, brown the meat until no longer pink. Drain and return to the skillet.
- Add the salsa, taco seasoning and refried beans to the meat. Combine completely.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer over low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add the meat mixture to the crescent roll pie pan.
- Top with cheese.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 17 minutes or until the cheese has melted and the crust is brown.
- Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
- Add the lettuce and tomatoes to the top before serving. (optional)
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Cream Puffs
This is one of our favorite recipes and perfect for Little Dragon with a missing fang. These puffy pastries are easy to make, delicious and will become a family favorite. Children can help by cutting the pastry, sprinkling the sugar onto the top, adding the ingredients and spreading the cream filling.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
Course sugar
Filling:
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 cup Crisco
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
Powdered sugar
- Unfold the pastry and place on a work surface.
- Cut into thirds lengthwise and then cut each strip into thirds. Will have 9 pieces.
- Place pastry squares on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Whisk together the egg and water.
- Brush each pastry square with the egg mixture.
- Sprinkle each square with coarse sugar.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until golden brown.
- Place on a wire rack to cool completely.
- After they are cooled, carefully cut in half.
- To prepare the filling, place the butter and Crisco in a mixer and beat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until smooth.
- Add the marshmallow cream and mix until well combined.
- Place the filling in a large plastic bag. Carefully cut an opening in the corner of the bag.
- Pipe the filling onto the bottom of the 9 pastries. Be generous.
- Add the top pastry.
- Sprinkle the tops of each pastry with powdered sugar.
Makes 9 servings.
