*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
Scary, Scary Halloween By: Eve Bunting Illustrated by: Jan Brett
Ages: Preschool through First Grade
It’s that time of year when apples, candy corn and pumpkins can be found everywhere. It’s time for Halloween and this is a book that can’t be missed. In this story, it is Halloween night and there are green eyes hiding, as ghosts, witches and goblins roam the streets. It will be fun for children to see all of the costumes and guess who is hiding in the night. This is a great book to expand vocabulary, but more importantly, it is just a fun Halloween story.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the book, ask the child to look at the book cover and guess who’s green eyes are staring at the trick or treaters on Halloween night.
- As you read the book, point out vocabulary that might be new to the child, such as glimmer, trailing, dreaded, etc.
- After reading, reread a few pages and ask the child to pick out the rhyming words, such as by/eye, grins/chins, etc.
- After reading, ask the child if they guessed correctly about who was hiding in the night.
Additional Books:
- Goodnight Goon, A Petrifying Parody By: Michael Rex
- In the Haunted House By: Eve Bunting Illustrated by: Susan Meddaugh
- Pug & Pig Trick-or-Treat By: Sue Lowell Gallion Illustrated by: Joyce Wan
- Halloween Sky Ride By: Elizabeth Spurr Illustrated by: Ethan Long
- Moonlight, the Halloween Cat By: Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by: Melissa Sweet
Cooking Time
Halloween Pumpkin Cheese Ball
This festive cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin would be great for any fall gathering of family and friends. Not only does it look great, the combination of bacon and cheddar cheese makes this dip really delicious. Children can help by assisting in processing the cheese puffs, adding the ingredients and kitchen cleanup.
2 cups orange cheese puffs
2 8 ounce packages of cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon green onions, diced
3 ounce bag of real bacon bits
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1 tablespoon freeze dried chives
1 green pepper with a long stem
Crackers for serving
- Put the cheese puffs in a food processor and process until finely ground. You could also put the puffs in a large baggie and press with a rolling pin.
- In a large bowl, completely combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, green onions, bacon bits, almonds and chives.
- Mold the mixture into a ball and flatten the top.
- With your fingers or the tip of a knife, form lines down the sides of the ball to resemble a pumpkin.
- Roll the cheese ball in the processed cheese puffs until completely coated.
- Place the cheese pumpkin on a serving plate.
- Remove the entire stem of the green pepper and insert it into the top of the pumpkin. You can slice the rest of the pepper to serve with the cheese dip.
- Add crackers around the cheese pumpkin and serve.
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Dracula Blood Punch
This would be a great punch to make for a Halloween party. You can add a few candy or gum eyeballs to make it a little more festive. Children can help by pouring in the juices, soda and adding the eyeballs.
4 cups red punch
3 cups apple juice
3 cups cranberry juice
3 cups ginger ale
1 cup Sprite
Ice cubes
Eyeball candy or gum (optional)
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large punch bowl.
- Add the ice cubes.
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Goblin Popcorn Treats
This sweet treat combines popcorn and marshmallows to make a great Halloween dessert. The addition of almonds and chocolate will make it a family holiday favorite. Children can help by adding the ingredients, putting the M & M’s and almonds on the top and kitchen clean-up.
Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray.
10 cups of popped popcorn (1 microwave bag and 2 cups from another bag)
3 tablespoons butter
6 cups miniature marshmallows
3/4 cup seasonal M & M’s
3/4 cup salted almonds
- Pop the popcorn and measure it into a large bowl. Make sure there are no uncooked kernels in the bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and marshmallows.
- Stir constantly until the marshmallows are completely melted.
- Immediately, pour the marshmallow mixture over the popcorn.
- Using a buttered spoon or spatula, mix the marshmallow sauce and popcorn until all of the popcorn is coated.
- Spread the popcorn mixture over the prepared baking sheet.
- Sprinkle the M & M’s and almonds evenly over the popcorn mixture.
- Press with your hands or a cup to push the toppings into the popcorn.
- Allow the mixture to dry for 1 hour.
- Break the mixture into 2 inch pieces.
- Store in an air-tight container.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
