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!
Pumpkin Jack By: Will Hubbell
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
This fun story is about what happens to a jack-o’-lantern after Halloween is over. Tim was so sad that his pumpkin was getting all wrinkled, so he put him out in the garden. To his surprise, the next spring he found a sprout and before he knew it, he had a pumpkin patch. When the holiday returned, Tim had his jack-o’-lantern back. This is the perfect book for this time of year.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you about jack-o’-lanterns that they have had, and what happened to them after Halloween was over.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what Tim did with his jack-o’-lantern after Halloween, and what happened to it.
- After reading, ask the child where Tim got his jack-o’-lantern the next year.
- After reading, ask the child to discuss what happens to a pumpkin seed when you put it into the ground.
Additional Books:
- Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden By: George Levenson Illustrated by: Shmuel Thaler
- Seed, Sprout, Pumpkin Pie By: Jill Esbaum
- Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin By: Tad Hills
- Too Many Pumpkins By: Linda White Illustrated by: Megan Lloyd
Cooking Time:
Pumpkin Pie Granola
This healthy snack is perfect on top of yogurt, ice cream or just to eat on its own. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 tablespoon pumpkin spice seasoning
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- Using a large bowl, combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, pecans. pumpkin spice and salt.
- In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla. The mixture may be slightly lumpy.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until incorporated.
- Spread the mixture onto the parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Turn the pan once halfway through baking.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes.
- Store in an airtight container.
Makes 4 cups.
Pumpkin Chili
This is the perfect time of year for chili and here is a new option to try and it is delicious! Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients and chopping the veggies.
3 tablespoons cooking oil
1 large onion, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
3 cloves garlic
1 red bell pepper, diced
12 ounces diced pumpkin
2 pounds ground chuck
1 cup beef stock
8 ounces tomato sauce
3 ounces tomato paste
1 cup pumpkin puree
15 ounce can kidney beans
15 ounce can baby butter beans
2 teaspoons cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
- Cut and dice the pumpkin, onion, tomatoes and pepper.
- Heat a large pot on medium heat and add the oil.
- Add the onions and saute until transparent.
- Add the tomatoes, pumpkin and bell pepper. Cook for a few minutes.
- Mince the garlic and add to the veggies. Cook until the veggies have softened.
- Remove the veggies and set aside.
- Using the same pot, cook the ground chuck until brown, breaking up all clumps.
- Drain the meat and add back to the pot.
- Add the veggies and stir.
- Increase the heat to medium high and add the stock, pumpkin puree, tomato sauce and tomato paste.
- Drain the beans and add to the pot.
- Gently stir and bring to a boil.
- Lower heat to low and add the sugar, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper. Taste to check if more spices are needed.
- Cover and cook for an hour, stirring occasionally.
Makes 8 servings.
Pumpkin Dump Cake
Dump cakes are so easy to make and are always delicious. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. You will need a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
30 ounces pumpkin puree
12 ounces evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 box yellow cake mix (15.25 ounces)
1 cup butter
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
Whipped cream or Ice Cream for serving
- In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, milk, eggs, sugar and spices.
- Pour into the baking pan.
- Evenly sprinkle the dry yellow cake mix over the top of the pumpkin mixture.
- Melt the butter and evenly pour over the cake mix. Could also cut butter into thin slices and place over the top.
- Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the top of the cake.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream.
- Add a dash of pumpkin spice on top, optional.
Makes 18 servings.
