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!
Little Raindrop (Nature Stories) By: Melanie Joyce Illustrated by: Gina Maldonado
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
This delightful book helps children understand the cycle of how rain drops float to the earth, help plants to grow and then float back into the clouds to begin the cycle over again. Little Raindrop also teaches us how a rainbow is formed. It is done in rhyming verse and is very understandable, even for very young children. It is also beautifully illustrated. This is a must read for Springtime.
Reading Tips:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks happens to raindrops when they fall.
- After reading the story, ask the child the same question.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you how a rainbow is formed.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you where the raindrops go when the sun shines on them.
- After reading the story, ask the child to identify some rhyming words such as down/ground, day/away, etc.
Additional Books:
- Let it Rain By: Maryann Cocca-Leffler
- Worm Weather By: Jean Taff Illustrated by: Matt Hunt
- Planting a Rainbow By: Lois Ehlert
- Raindrops and Rainbows By: Valerie Bessette Illustrated by: Kelly Grettler
- Singing in the Rain Illustrated by: Tim Hopgood
Cooking Time:
Rainbow Jello
This is a perfect recipe to go with Little Raindrop. It takes a long time to make Rainbow Jello, but it is worth the time spent when you cut out the first slice. Most children love jello and adding whipped cream makes it even more special. Children can help by adding the jello and stirring.
5 different kinds of jello (3 ounce boxes) such as blueberry, lime, lemon, orange and cherry or strawberry
Whipped cream for serving
- Use a 13 by 9 inch clear glass baking dish.
- Place the baking dish in the refrigerator and pour in the liquid jello. Makes the process easier and not as messy.
- Begin with the blueberry jello. Prepare according to the package directions. **
- After it is chilled, prepare the lime jello and pour on top of the solid blue jello.
- After the lime jello is solid, pour on the prepared lemon jello.
- After the lemon jello is solid, prepare the orange jello and pour on top.
- After the orange jello is solid, prepare the cherry or strawberry jello and pour on top.
- Let the jello chill until completely jelled.
- Cut into blocks or dip with a spoon and add whipped cream before serving.
**To speed up the process, you can follow the “speed set method” on the jello box.
Makes about 20 servings.
Marshmallow Cloud Bars
The marshmallows on these delicious chocolate bars give the illusion of puffy clouds. The M & M’s add the colors of the rainbow. This is such an easy dessert since you begin with a cake mix. Children can help by adding the ingredients, pressing the chocolate mixture into the pan, and adding the marshmallows, M & M’s and peanuts. Remember to have children help with kitchen cleanup.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Using non-stick cooking spray, spray a 13 by 9 inch metal baking pan.
1 package (15.25 ounce) devils food cake mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup water
1 egg
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1 cup regular M & M’s
1/2 cup cocktail peanuts
- Using a mixer or by hand, mix completely the cake mix, melted butter, water and egg. Will be a thick mixture.
- Press the chocolate mixture into the greased baking pan.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 12 to 20 minutes. Bake until toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake.
- As soon as you take the chocolate bars out of the oven, scatter the marshmallows on top.
- Add the M & M’s evenly on top of the marshmallows.
- Add the peanuts evenly on top of the M & M’s.
- Place back into the oven for another 2 to 3 minutes or until the marshmallows begin to melt.
- Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to completely cool.
Makes approximately 2 dozen bars.
