If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

*Read to the children in your life every day.  You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!

If You Give A Mouse A Cookie                    By:  Laura Joffe Numeroff          Illustrated by:  Felicia Bond

Ages:  Preschool through First Grade

 

When the little mouse is given a cookie, the question is,  “What will he want next?”.  This popular book gives children the opportunity to predict as they go from page to page.  It also gives children a chance to practice sequencing of events which will help develop memory skills.  Enjoy the mouse’s adventures and be sure to read the companion books.

 

 

Tips for Reading:

• Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what they do before going to bed.  (Example:  put on pajamas, brush teeth, read a story, etc.)
• As you read the book for the first time, ask the child to predict what the mouse may want next.
• After reading the story a couple of times, ask the child to recall what came next.  (Example:  When the mouse got the milk, what did he want next?)
• Ask the child to make up their own story using a different animal.  (Example:  If you give a rabbit a carrot……..)

Additional Books by Laura Joffe Numeroff

• If You Give a Moose a Muffin
• If You Give a Dog a Donut
• If You Give a Cat a Cupcake
• If You Give a Pig a Pancake
• If You Take a Mouse to School

*All of the books listed can be found on Amazon and most can be found at your local bookstore and/or library.

 

Cooking Time:

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

The mouse in our story would love these chewy cookies.  They are easy to make and the raisins and oatmeal make them healthier for the whole family.  Children can help add the ingredients, crack the eggs and roll the cookies.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

1 cup softened butter  (2 sticks)                                             1 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup sugar                                                                           1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup brown sugar                                                                   1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs                                                                                       1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla                                                                   1 1/2 cups raisins

2 1/2 cups flour                                                                       1 cup pecans or walnuts chopped  (optional)

2 1/2 cups quick oats

• Using a mixer, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar.  (3 to 5 minutes)
• Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until blended.
• In a separate bowl using a whisk, combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
• Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, a little bit at a time.
• Stir in raisins and nuts (nuts optional).
• Using a one inch melon scoop or a teaspoon, roll dough into 1 inch balls.
• Using fingers, press dough slightly.
• Place cookies 2 inches apart on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes.  Cookies will be light brown.
• Place trays of baked cookies on racks to cool for 5 minutes.
• Remove cookies from the trays and place on racks to completely cool.

Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

This is a great companion book to follow If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and you can use the same reading tips suggested above.  A great recipe to follow this reading experience is Blueberry Muffins made with fresh blueberries.  Children can help add the ingredients, crack the eggs and add the topping before baking.   These muffins will be a family favorite.

Blueberry Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line muffin tins with liners.

3 cups flour                                                                        1 cup milk

2 cups sugar                                                                      1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Tablespoon baking powder                                          2 Tablespoons melted butter

1 stick softened butter (1/2 cup)                                     2 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

2 eggs

• Using a mixer or by hand, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and softened butter until mixture is in crumbs.
• Set aside 1 cup of the dry mixture for later.
• To the rest of the dry mixture, add the eggs, milk and vanilla.
• Mix until all ingredients are incorporated.
• In a separate bowl, add 2 teaspoons of flour to the blueberries and toss until coated.  (keeps the blueberries from going to the bottom)
• Fold the coated blueberries into the mixture.
• Using an ice cream scoop, fill muffin tins about 3/4’s of the way full.
• Melt 2 Tablespoons of butter and toss with the reserved dry mixture to form the crumb topping.
• Sprinkle crumb topping on each muffin.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Place on racks to cool.

Makes about 20 muffins.