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 You 100 By: Danica McKellar Illustrated by: Josee Masse
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Danica McKellar has done it again with a wonderful read aloud about math. This time her focus is counting to 100. She incorporates “love” and counting in a beautiful way with numerous opportunities to practice counting from 1 to 100. This is actually a perfect book for Valentine’s Day.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have ever counted to 100 before.
- While reading, ask the child to count along with the book.
- After reading the book, ask the child to recall some the times that the mother in the story said that she loved the little boy.
- After reading, ask the child to count to 100 on their own or with your support.
- Follow-up on activities in the back of the book.
Additional Books by Danica McKellar:
- Goodnight Numbers
- Ten Magic Butterflies
- Double Puppy Trouble
Cooking Time:
Ham and Cheese Sticks
On a cold winter day, this is the perfect lunch treat for kids. Children can help by adding the toppings to the dough, rolling and glazing.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 tubes crescent dough sheets
1 pound deli-sliced ham
8 cheddar cheese sticks
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 tablespoon dried minced onion or onion powder
1/2 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Roll out crescent dough sheets and cut each into 4 equal pieces.
- Place ham slices on each section of the dough.
- Place a cheese stick onto each section.
- Fold ends of the dough over the filling and roll to seal tightly.
- Arrange the sticks on the baking sheet with space between each stick.
- In a bowl, mix the melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, onion and poppy seeds.
- Brush over the ham and cheese sticks.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
Makes 8 servings.
Polar Bear Rice Krispie Treats
These delicious treats are adorable and so easy to make. Children can help by dipping and adding the bear face.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
8 Rice Krispie Treats (store bought or homemade)
8 brown M & M’s
12 ounces white melting wafers
16 large candy eyes
8 popsicle sticks
- Open the Rice Krispie Treats or make a batch. Cut homemade treats into 2 by 3 inch pieces.
- Insert a popsicle stick into the base of each treat. Place in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes to harden and set.
- Pour 3/4 of the wafers into a microwave safe dish.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the wafers are melted.
- Dip the cold Rice Krispie treats into the chocolate until completely coated.
- Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- While still wet, place 2 wafers on the top to create the ears.
- Add 2 candy eyes to the polar bears.
- Add another melting wafer for the nose. Place a brown M & M on the top of the wafer (add a drop of melted chocolate to attach).
- Repeat to make 8 polar bears.
Makes 8 servings.
Fruit Pizza Cookies
This is a delicious copy-cat recipe from a famous cookie store. The entire family will love these cookies! Children can help by measuring, cracking the egg, adding ingredients and decorating the cookies.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Cookies:
12 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup sugar
l large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons sour cream
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 cup mixed fruit and berries
Cookies:
- Using a mixer on low speed, cream together the butter and sugar for 2 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the dry mixture to the butter mixture and beat together on low. Do not overmix.
- Use a 3 tablespoon scoop and form the dough into 16 equal parts.
- Place on the prepared baking sheets at least 2 inches apart.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 11 to 13 minutes or until the edges begin to brown. Do not overbake.
- Remove from the oven and place on racks to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the trays and return to the racks to complete the cooling process.
- Allow to cool completely before adding the frosting.
Frosting:
- Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese until perfectly smooth.
- Add the sugar, sour cream, lemon juice and vanilla and beat until smooth.
- Add the cream in two additions and beat after each.
- If the icing is too thin, refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Frost the cooled cookies. Add fresh fruit to the top of each.
- Refrigerate cookies.
Makes 16 cookies.
