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 Your Class Pet? By: Troy Cummings
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
This is the third of the “Arfy” books that we have highlighted and this one is as good as the others. In this story, Arfy volunteers at the school and accidently ends up with a turtle (Hidey) and must find out where Hidey belongs. Of course, he writes letters to many in the school to determine Hidey’s real home. No concern, Hidey’s home is found. There is a surprise ending!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have read any of the Arfy books previously and reflect on the stories.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Arfy’s job was at the school.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you Arfy’s surprise when he left the school and where did he find the surprise.
- After reading, ask the child to reflect on who were some of the people to which Arfy sent letters.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who claimed Hidey as their class pet.
- After reading, ask the child what surprise Arfy found on his way home.
Additional Books in the Series:
- Can I Be Your Dog?
- I Found a Kitty!
Cooking Time:
Apple Turtle Snack
These fun and healthy turtles are perfect for an after school snack. Children can help by assembling the turtle.
Green apple
Green grapes
Candy eyeballs
Nutella
Goldfish snacks
- Cut the apple in half and carefully take out the core.
- Cut 2 grapes in half to form the legs.
- Cut 1 grade in quarters, using 1 for the tail.
- Attach two eyeballs to a grape with Nutella.
Make as many as you would like
Lunchbox Taco Sandwiches
These are just sandwiches, but in the shape of a taco. Children will be the hit of the school cafeteria. Children can help by cutting the taco out of bread and adding the ingredients.
Will need a 3 inch biscuit cutter.
Sliced bread of choice
Peanut butter
Jelly
Turkey or ham slices
Cheese slices of choice
Lettuce
Mayonnaise
Mustard
- Using the biscuit cutter, cut rounds of bread for the taco sandwiches.
- Add your choice of fillings to the bread.
- Fold over to form a taco.
Make as many as you would like.
Turtle Cookies
These delicious cookies contain chocolate chips, caramel pieces and pecans. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the egg, scooping the cookies and adding the additional toppings.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
1 1/4 cups flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped caramel candy
1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Cut the caramel into small pieces.
- Combine the chocolate chips, caramel pieces and pecans in a small bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup for the tops of the cookies.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking soda. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar until fluffy, 2 to 4 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla and mix until well combined.
- Add the flour mixture and mix until combined.
- With a spoon, stir in the chocolate chip mixture, less the reserved portion. Mix until well combined.
- Using a cookie scoop, form the dough into balls placing them 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
- Press the additional chip mixture on the top of each cookie ball.
- Place the cookies in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the baking sheet back to the rack to continue the cooling process.
Makes 16 to 24 cookies.
