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!
Jamaica’s Find By: Juanita Havill Illustrated by: Anne Sibley O’Brien
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
Jamaica stopped at the park to play and found a red hat and a lost stuffed dog. She took the hat to the lost and found, but took the dog home without trying to find the owner. She struggled with her decision, but later finds satisfaction in returning the dog to its owner. In the end, Jamaica makes a new friend. This is a wonderful story about the rewards of doing the right thing.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have ever found something and what they did with the item.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why they think that Jamaica took the stuffed dog home with her.
- Ask the child to tell you how Jamaica felt after she took the dog home.
- Ask the child to tell you why Jamaica decided to take the dog back to the lost and found.
- Ask the child to tell you if they think Jamaica made the right decision.
- Ask the child to tell you why Jamaica was so happy at the end of the story.
Additional Books by Juanita Havill:
- Jamaica’s Blue Marker
- Jamaica and Brianna
- Jamaica Tag-Along
- Jamaica and the Substitute Teacher
- Brianna, Jamaica and the Dance of Spring
Cooking Time:
Meat Loaf Muffins
Jamaica’s family sit down to dinner together and share a meal. A perfect family dinner might include meat loaf. This recipe is special, because the servings are made in a muffin pan. Children can help by cracking the eggs, adding the ingredients, using their hands to mix the meat loaf and making the individual servings. Don’t forget to include them in the kitchen clean-up.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. You will need muffin tins, 2 1/2 inch cups.
2 1/3 cups crushed saltine crackers
2 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups onions, chopped
1 medium green pepper, minced
3/4 cup ketchup plus 1/2 cup for the top
1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons brown sugar
- Place the crackers into a plastic storage bag. Using your fingers, crush the crackers into small pieces.
- Using a large bowl, combine the crackers, meat, eggs, onion, pepper, 3/4 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
- Using your hands, mix until totally combined.
- Lightly press the meat mixture into each muffin tin, about 1/3 cup in each.
- In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup ketchup and brown sugar.
- Top each meat muffin with the ketchup mixture.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Makes 21 individual servings.
Creamy Macaroni and Cheese
A perfect side dish for meat loaf is macaroni and cheese which is a child favorite. This recipe combines 3 cheeses and is super creamy. Children can help by adding the ingredients and kitchen clean-up.
Kosher salt
1 pound cavatappi pasta or medium shell pasta
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup half and half
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated colby jack cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, cut into cubes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium to medium high heat until foamy.
- Add the flour and stir until smooth, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in the milk and the half and half and simmer.
- Cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Gradually add the cheddar cheese and stir until melted.
- Gradually add the colby jack cheese and stir until melted.
- Add the cream cheese and stir until melted.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the pasta and stir until completely coated.
- Serve warm.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
