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 Saw Santa’s Underpants By: Bobbie Hinman Illustrated by: Remesh Ram
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
This book is just a fun Christmas story. Santa was in such a hurry to begin his yearly ride, that he forgot his suspenders. Max was waiting up to see him and accidently saw Santa’s underpants. No worries, Max made sure that Santa had a way to hold up his pants for the rest of his deliveries. Children will enjoy hearing about Santa’s adventure.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child what “suspenders” are.
- After reading the story, ask the child why they think Santa forgot his suspenders.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why Max was able to see Santa’s underpants.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Max helped Santa solve his problem.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you if they think anyone will believe Max when he tells the story about Santa’s underpants.
Additional Books:
- Pete the Cat Saves Christmas By: James Dean and Eric Litwin
- Santa’s Lost Reindeer By: Rachel Hilz and Remesh Ram
- How to Catch a Reindeer By: Alice Walstead and Andy Elkerton
- Little Red Sleigh By: Erin Guendelsberger Illustrated by: Elizaveta Tretyakora
- Bear Stays Up for Christmas By: Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
Cooking Time:
Christmas Crunch Mix
This is the perfect mixture of goodies and perfect for a holiday party. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
4 cups Rice Chex Cereal
3 cups Frosted Cherrios
2 cups snap pretzels
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts
16 ounces vanilla melting wafers
Holiday sprinkles
1 cup red and green Christmas M & M’s
2 cups mini gingerbread men (found on Amazon)
- In a large bowl, combine the Chex cereal, Cherrios, pretzels and peanuts.
- Melt the vanilla wafers in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted wafers over the mixture and toss with a spoon until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture evenly on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Immediately, sprinkle on the holiday sprinkles and the M & M’s.
- Lay the gingerbread mini cookies evenly over the mixture.
- Allow the mixture to cool completely. Break apart to serve.
Makes 25 servings.
Santa Pancakes
This is one of our favorite pancake recipes and children will love making them into Santa Claus. Children can measure, add the ingredients, and crack the egg for the pancakes. They can also add all of the fruit and whipped cream.
1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
Strawberries, cut in half or raspberries
Blueberries
Bananas, sliced
2 slices marshmallow
Whipped Cream in spray container
- Using a microwave safe dish, melt the butter and set aside to slightly cool.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg, milk and butter.
- Whisk together until the batter is smooth.
- Place a large skillet or griddle on medium heat.
- Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using a measuring cup, make a large round pancake for Santa’s face.
- Add the sliced bananas to form the beard.
- Add the sliced strawberries to form Santa’s hat.
- Add the sliced marshmallow to form the eyes.
- Add blueberries to the marshmallows.
- Add a berry for the nose.
- Complete Santa’s hat with the whipped topping spray.
Makes 4 to 5 servings.
Cheese Trees
These fun appetizers are great for a party or a snack. Children can help by assembling the trees.
Variety of cheese blocks, both white, yellow, etc.
Beef sticks
Star cocktail toothpicks (found on Amazon)
- Cut strips of cheese in 4 different lengths to form the tree.
- Cut a 1 inch slice of beef stick for the tree trunk.
- Insert the toothpick from the top of the tree (smallest piece) down through all of the cheese and into the beef stick.
- Star will be on the top of the cheese tree.
Make as many as you would like.
Reindeer Snack Cakes
These snacks are so much fun and easy to make. Children can assemble them all by themselves.
Hostess Ho Hos
Nutella or chocolate icing
Candy eyes
Red M & M’s
Pretzel twists
Wooden craft sticks
- Remove the cake from wrappers
- Insert a stick into the base.
- Carefully break the pretzel twists in half and insert into the sides of the cake to form the antlers.
- Add a small amount of the Nutella or icing to two candy eyeballs and place onto the cake.
- Do the same for the red M & M to form the nose.
Make as many as you want.
