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!
Just Because By: Matthew McConaughey Illustrated by: Renee Kurilla
Ages: Pre-school through Adult
This inspirational book by Matthew McConaughey is full of life lessons for children and adults. The pictures really help to illustrate the themes of the book. The feelings illuminated in this book are very relatable to the reader and the listener. Please put this one on your read aloud list.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the book, ask the child to tell you about something that has made them sad or worried.
- After reading the book, ask the child to find one of the lessons in the book that they applies to them in some way.
- Re-read the book often to help support issues that your child might have.
Additional Books:
- Just Help! By: Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by: Angela Dominguez
- Change Sings By: Amanda Gorman Illustrated b: Loren Long
- I Am Enough By: Grace Byers Illustrated by: Keturah A. Bobo
- Tomorrow I’ll Be Kind Jessica Hische
Cooking Time:
Frosted Strawberry Toaster Pastries
Most kids love Pop Tarts and they will really enjoy making their own. Children can help by cutting the dough, measuring and mixing ingredients, forming the pastries and adding the frosting and sprinkles.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 package prepared pastry dough
1/2 cup seedless strawberry jam
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg
Frosting:
1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
Sprinkles
- Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before rolling out.
- Roll out both sheets of the dough and cut edges to form a large squares.
- Cut the large squares into 4 by 3 inch rectangles.
- Place half of the rectangles onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Make the filling by combining the jam, cornstarch and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg.
- Brush each pastry on the baking sheet with the egg. Brush all the way to the edges.
- Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling onto each rectangle.
- Place additional rectangles onto the top of each filled pastry.
- Press the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the top of each pastry with the egg wash.
- Place in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove pastries to a wire rack to cool.
- While cooling, prepare the frosting by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until the mixture is smooth.
- Spread icing onto the cooled pastries.
- Add sprinkles.
Makes 6 servings.
Beef Macaroni Soup
This is the perfect soup for a cool fall day and it is very easy to make. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients.
1 pound ground chuck
2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5 ounces) beef broth
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
- In a large saucepan, cook the beef over medium high heat until no longer pink.
- Drain the meat and return to the pan.
- Stir in the mixed veggies, tomatoes, pepper and broth.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add the macaroni.
- Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes or until the macaroni and veggies are tender.
Makes 5 servings.
S’Mores Brownies
Everyone loves to make s’mores, but they can be a little messy. These sweet brownies solve the problem. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the eggs and adding the marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper and butter the parchment paper.
12 to 15 full graham crackers
1/2 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1 box Brownie mix, prepared according to package directions
1 bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows
1 cup chocolate chips
- Place the graham crackers into a food chopper or processor and finely crush.
- Add the melted butter and sugar and mix well until the crumbs feel slightly wet.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into a parchment lined 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
- Prepare the brownie mix according to the package directions.
- Pour the brownie batter over the crust.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 22 to 25 minutes or until the center is set.
- Remove from the oven and top with the marshmallows and chocolate chips.
- Turn oven to broil.
- Place the brownies under the broiler for about 1 to 2 minutes or until just starting to brown. Watch carefully.
Makes 12 servings.
