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!
What Will I Do With My Love Today? By: Kristin Chenoweth Illustrated by: Maine Diaz
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
This book is by far one of the best stories we have presented in a long time. It is full of love and kindness and the joy of giving and loving others. It also illustrates the importance of pet adoption and a sense of community. The book is done in rhyming verse and the colorful illustrations will fill you with joy. The author, Kristin Chenoweth, assigns all of us to ask “What will I do with my love today?”. Please, don’t miss this one!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, read the title and ask the child to look at the cover and tell what this book might be about.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you the many ways that the little girl showed kindness to others.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how the little girl showed kindness while at the pet adoption event.
- After reading, ask the child to find rhyming words such as street/meet, find/kind, lightning/frightening, etc.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how they might share their love with others.
Additional Books:
- Just Help! By: Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by: Angela Dominguez
- The World Needs Who You Were Made To Be By: Joanna Gaines Illustrated by: Julianna Swaney
- Kindness is My Superpower By: Alicia Ortego
- I Promise By: LeBron James Illustrated by: Nina Mata
- Just Ask! By: Sonia Sotomayor Illustrated by: Rafael Lopez
Cooking Time:
Tummy Dogs
Most children love hot dogs and this is a fun version that they can help you make and share with friends. Children can help by putting the cheese inside the hotdog and spreading the butter mixture onto the buns.
8 bacon strips
8 hot dogs
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, cut into strips
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
8 buns
Other preferred toppings
- Partially cook the bacon. Drain and set aside.
- Cut a 1/4 inch slit lengthwise in each hot dog.
- Place a strip of cheese in the slit.
- Wrap a strip of bacon around each hot dog, in a spiral.
- Secure the bacon with a toothpick.
- Combine the butter and mustard.
- Spread on the inside of each bun. Set aside.
- Using an outside or stovetop grill over medium heat, cook the hot dogs with cheese side down for 2 minutes. Cover while cooking.
- Turn the hot dogs over and grill for 3 to 4 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and cheese is melted. Cover while cooking.
- Place the buns on the grill with cut side down and grill until lightly toasted.
- Remove the toothpicks from the hot dogs.
- Serve on the grilled buns.
Makes 8 servings.
Neapolitan Cookies
If you like Neapolitan ice cream, you will certainly enjoy these fun cookies. These cookies are delicious! The fun part is molding the 3 flavors together and children will really enjoy helping. They can also measure, add the ingredients and crack the eggs.
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries, measure before blending
1 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cup sugar
1 large egg, plus 1 large yolk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 or 3 drops red food coloring
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Using a food processor or blender, pulverize the strawberries into a powder.
- Using a mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute.
- Add the sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the egg, the extra yolk and the vanilla. Beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Divide the dough into 3 equal portions.
- Put 1 portion back into the mixer and add the powdered strawberries and food coloring.
- Mix on low speed until totally combined. Clean mixing bowl.
- Add another third to the mixer and add the cocoa powder.
- Mix on low until totally combined.
- Pinch a small portion of each of the doughs, press them gently together so that they adhere to each other. Be sure each color is distinct.
- Roll into a ball and then roll in sugar.
- Place on the baking sheets at least 3 inches apart.
- Bake at 350 degrees until sides are set and the cookies are puffed, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Transfer the trays to cooling racks for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Remove cookies from the trays back to the rack to complete the cooling process.
Makes 15 cookies.
Apple and Cheddar Pupcakes
Our book is about sharing love with a rescue puppy, so we wanted to make treats for the pups in our lives. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs and filing the muffin cups. They can also package some pupcakes and give to others who love a dog.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line mini muffin tins with paper liners.
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup applesauce
!/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- In a large bowl, mix together the applesauce, oil, honey, eggs and cheese.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats and baking powder.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Spoon or scoop the mixture into the mini muffin tins, filling the cups about halfway.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Remove to a rack to cool completely.
Makes 3 1/2 to 4 dozen mini treats.
