*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Nobunny’s Perfect By: Anna Dewdney
Ages: Toddler through Kindergarten
In this delightful book, our little bunnies have some issues much like the children in our lives. Ultimately, the bunnies show children the right way to behave in a number of situations. This book covers sharing, empathy, following rules and manners. Nobunny’s Perfect is written in rhyming verse which offers another opportunity to practice rhyming words with children.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, look through the first few pages of the book and ask the child to look at the pictures and tell you what they think is happening in the story. This is called a picture walk.
- Read the story and ask the child to tell you some of the problems that the bunnies are having.
- After reading the book, give the child an example of poor behavior and ask them to tell you what the alternative would be. (Example: Instead of grabbing a toy/you should share. Instead of fighting/use words to express feelings.)
- Say a set of rhyming words to the child and see if they can give you other examples. (sad, mad… sunny, bunny…)
Additional Books:
- Cookies, Bite-Size Life Lessons By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Jane Dyer
- Suppose You Meet a Dinosaur, A First Book of Manners By: Judy Sierra Illustrated by: Tim Bowers
- The Berenstain Bears Forget Their Manners By: Stan and Jan Berenstain
- Teach Your Dragon Manners By: Steve Herman
- Train Your Angry Dragon By: Steve Herman
- My Hands Were Made For Helping By: Jacquelyn Stagg Illustrated by: T. Omaskat
- Kindness By: Jacquelyn Stagg Illustrated by: T. Omaskat
Cooking Time:
Zucchini-Pineapple Bread
Dear Reader,
This is a very special recipe for me. Every summer my mother grew zucchini in her garden and made loaf after loaf of this delicious bread. She froze some for winter, but mostly she gave it away to anyone who came to visit. She was so well known in the community for this bread that we gave the recipe to those attending her funeral. An important thing to teach the children in our lives is sharing and giving to others. In memory of my mother, Irene, please enjoy this recipe and be sure to share a loaf with someone special.
Thanks, Judy
Children can help by adding the ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Using non-stick spray, prepare 2 or 3 loaf pans, depending on the size of loaves you prefer. Do not preheat oven.
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups raw, unpeeled, grated zucchini
1 cup crushed pineapple (drained)
3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
1 cup raisins
- Using a mixer or by hand, beat the eggs.
- Add sugar, oil, vanilla, zucchini and pineapple to the eggs and mix well.
- Put the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a bowl and whisk together.
- Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix well.
- Mix in the raisins and the nuts by hand.
- Pour the mixture into 2 or 4 prepared loaf pans.
- Put the loaf pans in the oven and turn the oven on to 325 degrees.
- Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or when a toothpick comes out clean.
- Put the baked bread onto racks to cool for 20 minutes.
- Remove the bread from the pans and continue cooling on racks.
- Share.
- Can freeze bread by wrapping the loaves in aluminum foil, cling wrap or waxed paper and place in a freezer bag.
Makes 2 to 3 loaves.
Jello Jigglers
These Jello treats are really fun and children love them. They can use cookie cutters to make any shape that they want. Since the story is called Nobunny’s Perfect, a bunny cutter is appropriate. Children can cut out the shapes.
2 1/2 cups boiling water
4 boxes (3 ounces each) of your favorite Jello flavor
- Put the Jello in a large bowl.
- Add the boiling water.
- Stir for 3 minutes or until Jello is dissolved. (no cold water)
- Pour into a 13 by 9 inch pan.
- Put into the refrigerator until solid, about 3 hours.
- Before cutting, warm the bottom of the pan by dipping it into hot water for a few seconds.
- Using cookie cutters, make shapes and decorate with sprinkles. (Press the sprinkles in with your fingers.)
- Can also cut into squares.
Rice Krispie Treats
Rice Krispie Treats are a favorite with most children. To make them extra fun, children can use cookie cutters and make them even more special. Of course, we’ll use our bunny cookie cutter as an example. Children can add the ingredients and cut the treats into shapes.
Spray a 13 by 9 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
3 tablespoons butter
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
- Using a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
- Add the marshmallows and stir until they are completely melted.
- Take off the heat and add the cereal.
- Stir until all of the cereal is coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Press the mixture into the pan using the bottom of a measuring cup that has been buttered.
- Using a cookie cutter, press into mixture to make shapes.
- Add sprinkles, making sure to press them into the treats.
*Recipe is on the Rice Krispie box.
