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 Help! By: Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by: Angela Dominguez
Ages: Preschool through Third Grade
U. S. Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor has written a classic book that all children and adults should hear and read. She discusses the importance of helping and giving to others in any way that we can. You don’t have to be a doctor, teacher or judge to devote your life to helping the people around you who are in need. We can all help in many ways. This is a must read and would be perfect in every home and classroom.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, read the title and look at the picture on the front of the book and ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks this story is going to be about.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what question Sonia’s mother asked her every day.
- After reading the story ask the child to tell you in what way Sonia helped others.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Sonia’s friends helped others.
- Make one of the recipes below and give to friends.
Additional Books by Sonia Sotomayor:
- Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You!
- Turning Pages, My Life Story
Cooking Time:
Cranberry Trail Mix
This is a perfect gift to give to friends and family. This healthy mix is easy to make and very delicious. Children can help by measuring the ingredients, mixing and putting the mix in containers to give away.
3 cups roasted almonds
3 cups salted roasted cashews
2 cups dried sweetened cranberries
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
1 cup yogurt covered raisins
- In a large bowl, measure and mix all of the ingredients.
- Place in small give-away containers.
- Distribute.
Makes 10 containers.
Blueberry Bread
Most people love blueberries and this delicious bread is full of them. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs and wrapping the loaves to give away.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 3 mini loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray.
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 3/4 cups flour, divided
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups blueberries, divided
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar.
- Add the vanilla, eggs and milk. Combine completely.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder and salt.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
- In a separate bowl, toss 1 cup dampened blueberries with the remaining 1/4 cup flour. Toss to coat.
- Remove the excess flour and fold the berries into the batter.
- Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
- Spread the remaining blueberries on top of each loaf.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not overbake.
- Place on a rack to cool completely.
- Wrap in cellophane to give away.
Makes 3 loaves.
Cowboy Cookies
These wonderful cookies are a combination of chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies, plus a lot of other great ingredients. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the eggs, dipping out the cookies and packing them to give away.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup sweetened coconut
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, sugar and brown sugar until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the eggs one at a time and mix until just combined.
- Mix in the vanilla.
- Gradually add the flour mixture until combined.
- Using a spoon, stir in the chocolate chips, oats, pecans and coconut.
- Using a small ice cream scoop or a spoon, drop by rounded 1 1/2 tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheets.
- Press each cookie a little with the palm of your hand.
- Bake until lightly browned, about 9 to 11 minutes.
- Allow the cookies to cool on a rack for 5 minutes.
- Remove from the trays and place back on racks to continue the cooling process.
- Package the cooled cookies in bags to give away.
Makes about 4 dozen cookies.
