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!
Snowmen at Night By: Caralyn Buehner Illustrated by: Mark Buehner
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
Did you ever wonder why a snowman looks a little different on the day after he/she was made? Well, this book explains the whole thing. Snowmen gather together to play at night. Children will love hearing and seeing the fun activities of these delightful snowmen. This fun book is done in rhyming verse and the illustrations are amazing.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child to tell you what he/she thinks happens to a snowman at night time.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what the boy in the story is wondering.
- After reading , ask the child to tell you some of the activities that the snowmen in this story did at night.
- After reading, ask the child to find rhyming words such as other/mothers, places/faces, etc.
- If you are lucky enough to have snow, make sure to build a snowman with your child.
Additional Books by Caralyn Buehner:
- Snowmen at Work
- Snowmen at Play
- Snowmen All Year
- Snowmen at Christmas
- Snowmen at Halloween
Cooking Time:
Snowman Pancakes
Children will love these fun pancakes and the bacon scarf is an extra treat. Children will love adding the ingredients and decorating the snowmen.
8 strips bacon
1 1/2 cups flour
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted and slightly cooled
16 chocolate chips
3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1 slice yellow cheese
8 pretzel sticks
24 blueberries
- In a large pan on medium heat, add strips of bacon which have been folded down the center to form the scarf for the snowmen.
- Fry on each side until crisp. Can also microwave on a flat microwave safe platter.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt.
- Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the egg, milk and butter.
- Whisk together until the batter is smooth.
- Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
- Using a measuring cup, pour pancakes shaped like snowmen on the hot skillet or griddle.
- Cook until lightly golden on the bottom and bubbles on the top.
- Flip and cook until the other side is golden.
- Repeat making the rest of the snowmen.
- Decorate the warm pancakes with the chocolate chips for the eyes, mini-chips for the mouth and blueberries for the buttons. Cut noses from the slice of cheese. Add the cooked bacon for the scarf.
- Break the pretzel sticks in half to form the arms.
Makes 8 pancakes.
Baked Chicken Tenders
Chicken Tenders are always a family favorite. These are a little more healthy since they are baked instead of fried. Children can help by cracking the egg, measuring the ingredients and breading the tenders.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
1 pound chicken tenders
1/2 cup flour
l large egg, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
- In a shallow bowl, place the flour.
- In another shallow bowl, beat the egg and add the paprika.
- In a third shallow bowl, mix the panko bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel.
- Roll each tender into the flour. Shake off excess.
- Dip the chicken into the egg mixture. Shake off excess.
- Coat the chicken with the bread crumb mixture and press down to adhere.
- Place the chicken tenders on the baking sheet. Bake at 425 degrees for 8 minutes.
- Flip the tenders and continue baking for 8 to 10 more minutes or until no longer pink and the coating is golden brown. Thicker tenders may take longer.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Perfect Hot Chocolate with Marshmallow Snowman
This homemade hot chocolate is perfect to enjoy during the winter season and the marshmallow snowman makes it extra special. Children can help by adding the ingredients for the hot chocolate and assembling the snowman.
Hot Chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
- Mix sugar, cocoa and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in water until smooth.
- Bring mixture to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- Boil and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add the milk, stir and heat until hot. Do not boil.
- Remove from heat and add the vanilla.
- Beat with a whisk until foamy.
Makes 6 servings.
Marshmallow Snowmen
Large Marshmallows
Pretzel sticks
Candy corn
Chocolate melting wafers
Mini chocolate chips
- Using pretzel sticks, put 3 marshmallows together to form the body of the snowman.
- Break pretzel sticks in half to form the arms and legs.
- Melt the chocolate wafers, and using a toothpick, dip into the chocolate to form the eyes and mouth of the snowman.
- Press a candy corn in place to form the nose.
- Dip 3 chocolate chips into the melted chocolate and place on the marshmallows to form the buttons.
- Serve with the hot chocolate.
Make as many as you would like.
