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 hem a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Doorbell Rang By: Pat Hutchins
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
During this very difficult time, it is important to know that someday we will get back to normal. The day will come again when we hear the doorbell ring and can invite family and friends to come in and enjoy the life we used to know. This wonderful book will help all of us remember and give us hope for the future. The day will come when we can share our homemade cookies with everyone.
Reading Tips:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to look at the cover and guess what he/she thinks is happening.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who Ma thought made the best cookies.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what happened each time the doorbell rang.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you who saved the day and why.
Additional Books:
- Too Many Carrots By: Katy Hudson
- Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons By: Amy Krouse Rosenthal Illustrated by: Jane Dyer
- The Rat and the Tiger By: Keiko Kasza
- The Giving Tree By: Shel Silverstein
- Miss Fannie’s Hat By: Jan Karon
Cooking Time:
Grandma Viviani’s Sugar Cookies
Judy’s wonderful neighbors, Kay and Con, shared this recipe with her. These wonderful sugar cookies were made by Con’s grandmother and the recipe has been passed down over the years. These soft sugar cookies are just made for sharing and are perfect for this delightful book. Children can help by adding the ingredients, pressing the cookies, adding the sugar topping and kitchen cleanup.
3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup margarine, softened (Parkay)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
- Add the vinegar to the milk and let it stand for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, margarine and sugar, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the milk/vinegar mixture and vanilla to the butter mixture and combine.
- Add the eggs and mix completely.
- Using a whisk, combine the flour, baking soda and salt.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Combine completely.
- Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 5 hours . Can also leave in refrigerator over night.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
- Using a 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch melon scoop, place rounded balls onto the cookie sheets at least 2 inches apart.
- Using the bottom of a glass, slightly press the top of each cookie to flatten. Do not flatten too much.
- Using a pastry brush, brush the top of each cookie with milk.
- Generously sprinkle each cookie with sugar.
- Bake in a 425 degree oven for 6 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully. Do not over bake.
- Take out of oven when bottoms are a light brown.
- Can sprinkle with additional sugar as soon as they come out of the oven. (Optional)
- Place cookie sheets on wire racks to cool for 10 minutes.
- Remove the cookies and place back on the racks to cool completely.
Makes 4 to 5 dozen cookies depending on size.
