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!
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse By: Kevin Henkes
Ages: Kindergarten through Second Grade
It is important that we take time to celebrate teachers and how important they are to all of us. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, highlights the actions of a great teacher. In our story, Lilly loves her teacher, Mr. Slinger, and she wants to be just like him. Things change for Lilly when she cannot wait to share her purple plastic purse and other items with her class. Through the support of Mr. Slinger, Lilly learns important lessons such as how to be considerate and the effects of our actions on others. Please remember to celebrate the teachers in your life!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you how he/she feels about his/her teacher.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you how Lilly felt about her teacher, Mr. Slinger, and why.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what problem Lilly was having when she took her purse to school on Monday.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Lilly felt and what she did after Mr. Slinger took her purse away.
- Ask the child to tell you how Lilly, her family and Mr. Slinger solved the problem.
Additional Books:
- What if There Were No Teachers? By: Caron Chandler Loveless
- Because I Had a Teacher By: Kobi Yamada Illustrated by: Natalie Russell
- Thank you, Mr. Falker By: Patricia Polacco
- Owen By: Kevin Henkes
- Chrysanthemum By: Kevin Henkes
- Miss Nelson is Missing! By: Harry Allard Illustrated by: James Marshall
- Miss Nelson is Back By: Harry Allard Illustrated by: James Marshall
Cooking Time:
Since Lilly’s class had cheese snacks everyday, it only seemed fitting to provide some cheesy snack recipes.
Bacon Cheese Crisps
We have made these for years and everyone loves them. There is cheese involved, but bacon is the star! Bacon Cheese Crisps can be served warm or at room temperature and are great any time of the day. Children can help by assembling the crisps and kitchen cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet to catch the grease from the bacon.
16 club crackers (Keebler)
1 cup shredded fresh Parmesan cheese (not grated)
8 strips of bacon
- Using a flat dish to catch the excess cheese, put a tablespoon of the cheese on a cracker.
- Cut a strip of bacon in half.
- Carefully rap a slice of bacon around each cracker with cheese.
- Place on the wire rack.
- Complete the rest of the crisps.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until the bacon is fairly crisp.
- Remove to a cooling rack.
Makes 16 Bacon Crisps.
Cheese Straws
Puff pastry makes these treats absolutely delicious and fun. Cheese Straws would be fun for a party or for a meal at home. Children can help by rolling the pastry, adding the toppings, pressing the toppings into the dough, rolling the straws and adding the final toppings.
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 cup finely grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese to sprinkle on before baking
- Carefully roll out a sheet of pastry on a lightly floured surface into a 10 by 12 inch rectangle.
- Brush the entire pastry with melted butter.
- In a small bowl, combine the cheeses.
- Sprinkle the cheese mixture onto the buttered pastry, spreading it out evenly.
- Using your hands or a rolling pin, press the cheese mixture into the pastry crust.
- Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the pastry into 12 strips.
- Twist each strip at least 5 times. Some of the cheese topping will fall out.
- Transfer the strips onto the baking sheet, leaving space between each strip.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine the egg with 1 tablespoon water and whisk together.
- Remove the pastry from the freezer and brush the egg wash over each straw.
- Sprinkle the 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese on top of the straws.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until light brown.
- Place the tray on a wire rack to cool.
Cheesy Pretzels
These cheese pretzels are easy to make and children will enjoy helping twist the dough into pretzel shapes. Children can also help by adding the ingredients, kneading the dough and kitchen cleanup.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cold butter cut into small pieces
2/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon water
Kosher salt
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cheese, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- Add the pieces of cold butter and use a fork or pastry tool to cut the butter into the flour mixture until crumbly.
- Add the milk and mix until combined and a ball of dough is formed.
- Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for 1 minute.
- Divide the dough in half.
- Roll each section into a 12 inch by 8 inch rectangle.
- Cut into 8 inch by 2 inch strips using a sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Fold each strip in half and pinch the ends together.
- Form each strip of dough into a pretzel shape.
- Place on the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Whisk together the egg and water.
- Brush the top of each pretzel with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle salt over each pretzel.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- Place the baking sheet on a rack to cool.
- Can serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
