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!
Something, Someday By: Amanda Gorman Illustrated by: Christian Robinson
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
This inspirational book by Amanda Gorman, poet laureate, is a must read for all children. It illustrates how even when a problem seems impossible, with help from others , faith and determination, change is indeed possible. This is a lesson to be learned by everyone. Please put this amazing book on your reading list.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the book, discuss with the child things that they feel could be changed and ideas on how to accomplish the task.
Additional Books:
- Just Help! By: Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by: Angela Dominguez
- Change Sings By: Amanda Gorman Illustrated by: Loren Long
- What Will I Do With my Love? By: Kristin Chenoweth Illustrated by: Maine Diaz
- The Other Side By: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrated by: E. B. Lewis
Cooking Time:
This wonderful book calls for sharable recipes and these are great ones.
Mini Fruit Tacos
These cute and sweet tacos are fun for kids to make and to eat. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and making the tacos.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
For the Tacos:
24 to 30 (3 inch) flour tortillas
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Non-stick cooking spray
Filling:
8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped strawberries
1/2 cup chopped pineapple
1/2 cup chopped kiwi
1/2 cup blueberries
- Using a 3 inch round cookie cutter (can use a tin can), cut the tortillas down to size.
- Mix together the cinnamon and sugar.
- Lay the cut tortillas out flat and spray very lightly with the non-stick cooking spray. Sprinkle each evenly with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Carefully fold each tortilla in half and hang them upside down on the rungs of your oven rack. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Gently remove them from the rack and set aside to cool.
- Using a mixer, beat the cream cheese, honey, sugar and cinnamon until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
- Spoon 1 to 2 teaspoons of the filling into each shell.
- Top with the fruit and enjoy.
Makes 12 servings.
Mini Pizzas
Most kids love pizza and this is an easy recipe that they can help make. Children can help by pressing the biscuit and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the muffin tins with non-stick cooking spray.
1 (16 ounce) can of jumbo biscuits.
1/3 cup pizza or marinara sauce
1 cup mozzarella cheese
12 pepperoni slices, quartered
1 tablespoon oregano
- Cut each of the biscuits in half and gently press each half into the cavity of the muffin tin. Pinch the dough together to make a circle.
- Add 1 teaspoon of the sauce to each of the tins and gently spread.
- Add a pinch of the oregano to each pizza.
- Top with a tablespoon of cheese.
- Add 3 (quartered) pepperoni slices to each pizza.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Run a knife around the edges of each pizza to release from the tin.
Makes 16 pizzas.
Roasted Carrots
These delicious carrots will remind children of French fries. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients to the carrots.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2 pounds carrots, peeled and sliced into around 3 inch pieces
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
- Peel and slice the carrots into 3 inch pieces and place them in a large bowl.
- Sprinkle the carrots with the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper and brown sugar.
- Gradually add the olive oil to coat. You may not need the full amount.
- Transfer the carrots to a non-stick baking sheet.
- Roast the carrots for 20 minutes, then stir and flip.
- Continue roasting for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until browned on the edges.
- Check often to avoid burning.
Makes 8 servings.
