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!
The Easter Duckling By: Olivia Wynter
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
“The Easter Duckling” is a sweet story about how Daisy saved Easter when Benny, the Easter Bunny wasn’t feeling well. Daisy helped by hiding all of the Easter eggs for the big hunt. She didn’t realize what a difficult job it would be, but the Easter egg hunt was a big success. This beautiful story is about friendship and perseverance.
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what problem Benny was having.
- After reading, ask the child who helped solve Benny’s problem.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Daisy realized about hiding Easter eggs.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the places where Daisy hid the eggs.
- After reading, ask the child why Daisy volunteered to help Benny.
Additional Books:
- The Racoon Who Stole Easter By: J.P. Anthony Williams
- Pete the Cat and the Easter Basket Bandit By: Kimberly and James Dean
- Kind Ninja and the Easter Egg Hunt By: Mary Nhin
- Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter By: Wendi Silvano Illustrated by: Lee Harper
- How to Catch the Easter Bunny By: Adam Wallace Illustrated by: Andy Elkerton
Cooking Time:
Easter Egg Fruit Tarts
Children will love eating and making this delicious fruit tart. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and adding the fruit to the tops of the eggs.
1 cup almond butter
1/4 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cup oats
3/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
Strawberries
Blueberries
Kiwi
Bananas
Grapes
- Using a microwave safe bowl, combine the almond butter, honey, vanilla and salt.
- Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.
- Using a food processor or blender, blend 1 cup of the oats until they are finely chopped and resemble flour. Set aside.
- Add the second cup of oats to the almond butter mixture. Stir until combined.
- Slowly add the blended oats to the almond butter mixture until it resembles a pie crust. Amounts may vary due to the type of almond butter used.
- Take small amounts of the mixture and form Easter egg shaped disks.
- Spread a layer of Greek yogurt over the top of each egg.
- Top with sliced fruit to make a design.
Makes 10 servings.
Baked Parmesan Broccoli
This creamy dish is perfect as a side dish for any Easter meal. Children can help by cutting the broccoli into florets, cracking the egg and measuring and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
2 large bunches broccoli, cut into florets
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
1 large egg yolk, beaten
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
- Place the broccoli florets into a pan of boiling water. Boil until broccoli is crisp-tender, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Place in the prepared baking dish.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter.
- Add the onion and cook until tender.
- Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the flour. Gradually add the milk.
- Bring to a boil and cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
- Stir a small amount of the hot mixture into the beaten egg yolk to temper.
- Add to the pan and stir constantly for 1 minute.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cheese, salt and pepper.
- Pour over broccoli.
- In a small skillet, cook the bread crumbs in the remaining butter (2 tablespoons) until golden brown.
- Sprinkle over the top of the broccoli.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven, uncovered, for 15 to 18 minutes or until heated through.
Makes 12 servings.
Easter Cookie Cake
This delicious cookie is perfect for Easter dessert. Children can help by cracking the egg, measuring, adding ingredients and decorating the top of the cookie.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch pie pan with non-stick cooking spray.
1/2 cup better
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chocolate chips
3/4 cup chocolate Easter candies, like M & M’s.
- Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- Add the brown sugar, sugar and vanilla.
- Stir in the egg.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients into the butter mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Add the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the Easter candies.
- Put the dough into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and gently press remaining Easter candies across the surface of the cookie.
- Cool and slice.
Makes 8 servings.
