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!
Is This the Bus for Us? By: Harriet Ziefert Illustrated by: Richard Brown
Ages: Toddler through Kindergarten
This is a very cute story for younger children. A family is waiting for the bus to go to the park, but many buses go by before their bus arrives. Children will love seeing the different colored buses and occupants as the busses arrive at the bus stop. The last page of the book actually has activities for children after they have heard the story.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why they could not take some of the buses.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how they knew where the other buses were going.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how they knew which bus to take.
- After reading, ask the child to review color words in the story.
Additional Books:
- The Little School Bus By: Margery Cuyler Illustrated by: Bob Kolar
- Mouse Paint By: Ellen Stoll Walsh
- Little Blue Truck By: Alice Schertle Illustrated by: Jill McEmurry
- Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site By: Sherri Duskey Rinker Illustrated by: Tom Lichtenheld
Cooking Time:
Cereal Bars
These delicious bars are perfect for a breakfast snack or packing to take to the park. Children can help by measuring and mixing the ingredients.
Butter an 8 inch by 8 inch baking pan.
2 cups Cherrios
2 tablespoons creamy nut butter
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries
Topping:
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- Combine the Cherrios and strawberries in a large mixing bowl.
- Place the nut butter and honey in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 30 to 45 seconds or until bubbling.
- Pour the nut butter mixture over the Cherrios and mix well.
- Transfer into the prepared baking pan. Press the mixture into the pan using a measuring cup.
- Chill the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes or until the bars are set.
- Heat the chocolate chips and oil in the microwave until melted, using 30 second intervals. Stir after each.
- Drizzle over the bars and put in the refrigerator until set.
Makes 12 servings.
Charcuterie Cups
This would be the perfect snack to take to the park or playground. Children will love putting these together. These would also be a nice appetizer for parties and events. The possibilities for these charcuterie cups are endless. Here is what we used in our cups.
Salami
Cheese chunks
Cherry tomatoes
Grapes
Pretzels
Chocolate covered pretzels
- Using a small skewer, at meat, cheese and tomato.
- Put grapes, pretzels and chocolate covered pretzels in a clear cup.
- Add the skewer.
Make as many as you would like.
Sand Cup Dessert
This is a fun version of Dirt Cups, but instead of using chocolate Oreos, we used white ones. Children can help by adding the ingredients and putting the cups together.
2 packages (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding
4 cups cold milk
1 cup Cool Whip
30 Golden Oreo Cookies, crushed
Sour Brite Crawlers, minis
- Separate the cream from the cookies and set aside in a bowl.
- Make the pudding according to the instructions on the box.
- Add the left over cream from the cookies to the pudding and mix until smooth.
- Place the pudding in the fridge for 5 minutes to set.
- Fold in the Cool Whip.
- Place the cookies in a food processor and process until they have a sand-like texture.
- Place the cookie crumbs in a cup, about a third full.
- Spoon pudding mixture on top.
- Add another layer of cookie crumbs.
- Add the worms to the top.
Makes 8 to 10 cups.
