Dear Reader,
This Blog is designed for the parents, grandparents, teachers 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!
Owl Moon By: Jane Yolen Illustrated by: John Schoenherr
Ages: Pre-school through Adult
We have reached back into time to find another classic book. There is absolutely no age range for this enchanting story. As you read this beautiful book, you will travel along with a father and son as they walk through the snow late at night to go “owling”. The verse is absolutely poetic and the illustrations will take you on their amazing journey. Don’t miss this one!
Tips for Reading:
Just read and enjoy the story. After reading, ask the child to relate an adventure that they have had with someone special in their life.
Additional Books by Jane Yolen:
- How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You?
- How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?
- How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodbye?
Cooking Time:
Owl Toast
Making toast into an owl makes breakfast really fun! Children can help you spread the cream cheese and form the owl.
Slices of bread, toasted
Cream cheese, spreadable
Strawberries
Red Apple
Blueberries
- Spread the cream cheese on the toast.
- Slice strawberries. Take a slice and form a small triangle for the owl’s beak.
- Take additional slices and cut into hearts with a small heart-shaped cookie cutter or by hand.
- Cascade 2 heart-shaped strawberry slices down each side of the toast to form the wings.
- Cut the apple into thin slices. Use a small round cookie cutter to cut circles to form the eyes.
- Place a blueberry on each apple circle to form the pupils.
- Cut triangles out of the remaining apple to form the owl’s ears.
Make as many as you would like.
Quinoa Chili
This is a heathy form of chili that everyone will enjoy and kids will love that it looks like an owl. It is very flavorful and delicious. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and forming the owl.
1 cup quinoa, uncooked
2 cups water
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 cup diced onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
4 ounce can diced green chilies, do not drain
28 ounce can, crushed tomatoes
15.25 ounce can white kidney beans, drained and rinsed
15.25 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
15.25 can whole kernel corn, drained
2 cups beef broth
- Cook the quinoa in 2 cups of water according to the package instructions. Allow to cool.
- Using a large pot, add the ground beef, onion and garlic.
- Cook on medium high heat until the beef is brown and cooked. Drain.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper and mix well.
- Stir in cooked quinoa, green chilies, tomatoes, black beans, white beans, corn and beef broth.
- Heat on medium high heat, covered, until boiling. Stir occasionally.
- Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
- To make chili into an owl, dab sour cream for the whites of the eyes and black beans for the pupils.
- Cut a slice of cheese into shapes for the beak and feet.
- Add two small crescent rolls for the wings.
- Serve with fresh chopped cilantro and chili toppings if desired.
Makes 10 servings.
Owl S’mores
Most children love s’mores and they will enjoy making them into owls.
Graham cracker squares
Large marshmallows
Chocolate chips
Yellow candy melts
Candy corn
- Using wet scissors, cut a marshmallow in half.
- Place a large square of graham cracker on a plate.
- Place the marshmallow halves onto the graham cracker to form the whites of the owl’s eyes.
- Put yellow candy melts on top of each marshmallow slice.
- Heat in the microwave for 2 to 5 seconds, just enough to make the marshmallows puff up.
- Remove the plate from the microwave and add a chocolate chip on the yellow candy melt.
- Place a candy corn under the marshmallows for the beak, while still warm.
- Allow to cool.
Make as many as you would like.
