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!
Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit By: Kimberly and James Dean
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Pete the Cat is back in another sweet Easter story. In this delightful book, Pete discovers that his Easter basket is missing. He and his friends follow the trail of candy to locate the basket. They are surprised to find out where the basket is and why it was taken. In the end, this is a story of friendship and giving. Pete does it again!
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Pete was trying to find.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who helped Pete find his missing basket.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the trails that the friends followed.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you where Pete found his basket.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Pete and his friends plan to do every Easter.
Additional “Pete the Cat” Books:
Pete the Cat: The Missing Cupcake
Pete the Cat: Firefighter Pete
Pete the Cat: Out of This World
Pete the Cat: Check Out the Library
Pete The Cat’s Wacky Taco Tuesday
Cooking Time:
Egg Bunny Bowl
This sweet bunny would be perfect for any morning. Children can help by cracking the eggs and forming the bunny in the bowl.
Eggs, scrambled
Bacon, fried
Cheese
Blueberries
Raspberries
- Scramble the eggs.
- Fry the bacon.
- Place the eggs in the bowl and add the bacon to form the ears.
- Place two small slices of cheese on the eggs to form the whites of the bunny’s eyes.
- Place blueberries on the cheese to form the eyes.
- Add small strips of cheese to form the whiskers.
- Add a raspberry for the nose.
Make as many as you would like.
Bunny Butt Pancakes
How cute is this and so easy to make. Kids can help make the pancakes and forming the bunny butt.
Pancake mix ( make your own or buy prepared mix)
Whipped topping, spray can
1 Strawberry
6 Blueberries
- Prepare the pancakes.
- In a pan or griddle on medium heat, make a large pancake to form the bunny butt.
- Make two smaller circles for the bunny feet.
- Cut strawberry slices for the bunny foot pads.
- Place the pancakes onto the plate as shown in the picture.
- Place the strawberry slices onto the feet and add the blueberries for the bunny toes.
- Spray a whipped cream bunny tail in the center of the bunny butt.
Make as many as you would like.
Colorful Poke Cake
This colorful cake is perfect for an Easter celebration and is easy because it starts with a cake mix. Children can help by adding ingredients, cracking the eggs and assembling the cake and topping.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 by 13 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
1 box white cake mix and ingredients listed on the box
2 (3.3 ounce) boxes instant white chocolate pudding
3 1/2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Food coloring (blue, green, pink, and yellow)
- Prepare the cake mix according to the box directions.
- Divide the mixture equally into 4 bowls.
- Add a few drops of coloring into each bowl and stir.
- Using a spoon, place small drops of each mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Do quickly. Drop one color at a time leaving a few inches apart between the drops. Continue until the bottom of the pan is covered. Then begin a second layer alternating the colors. Continue until all of the batter is gone.
- Using a toothpick, swirl the colors a little bit. Do not over mix.
- Bake as directed on the box.
- Remove the cake to a rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Using a chopstick or the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes into the cake about an inch apart.
- Allow the cake to cool completely.
- Using a large bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix. Whisk until the pudding is dissolved, but not completely set.
- Pour the pudding mixture over the cooled cake, trying to fill all of the holes completely. Use all of the pudding.
- Refrigerate cake.
- Using a mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the whipped cream and vanilla. Whip until soft peaks form.
- Add the powdered sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form.
- Spread over the pudding layer.
- Garnish with sprinkles.
- Store in the refrigerator.
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
