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 Giving Snowman By: Julia Zheng Illustrated by: Graziella Miligi
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
In this delightful story, the Snowman gives most everything he has to those in need. For example, when the bird’s nest fell from the tree, Snowman gave her his hat to keep the baby birds warm. This generous snowman finally began to melt as the sun came out. All of those that he had helped came by and decided to pay him back for his generosity. They rebuilt Snowman and made him whole again. This lovely book is about unselfishly giving to others.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you their experiences in building a snowman.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you some of the ways that the snowman helped others.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how those that the snowman helped , repaid him for his kindness.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you something that they could do to help someone else.
Additional Books:
- Snowmen at Night By: Caralyn Buehner Illustrated by: Mark Buehner
- Sneezy the Snowman By: Maureen Wright Illustrated by: Stephen Gilpin
- Snow By: Cynthia Rylant Illustrated by: Lauren Stringer
- Snow By: Uri Shulevitz
Cooking Time:
Bagel Snowman
This is a fun way to have breakfast on a wintery day. Children can help by spreading the cream cheese and adding the decorations to the snowman.
1 bagel, cut in half
Spreadable cream cheese
Stick pretzels
Blueberries, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, raisins, mini M & M’s, dried apricot, etc.
Fruit strip
- Slice bagel, trying to make one half smaller than the other.
- Toast, if desired.
- Spread each half with cream cheese.
- Use blueberries, dried cranberries, etc. to decorate your snowman.
- Use a strip of fruit roll to form the scarf.
Make as many as you would like.
Cheesy Meatball Casserole
After reading about a Snowman, it is always good to have some comfort food like a casserole. This meaty dish is easy to make and delicious and the added spinach makes it nutritious. Children can help by placing the meatballs onto the baking sheet, measuring and adding the ingredients.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2 packages prepared meatballs, uncooked
3 cups marinara sauce
2 cups baby spinach, chopped
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups whole milk shredded mozzarella cheese
- Place the meatballs onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, turning once.
- In a bowl, mix together the marinara sauce and the spinach.
- Place the sauce mixture into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
- Place the cooked meatballs into the sauce mixture, nestling them down in the sauce.
- Dot the top of the meatballs with teaspoonfuls of ricotta cheese.
- Sprinkle the top of the meatballs with the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly.
Makes 6 servings.
Brownie Bites
Everyone will love these sweet treats and children will love making them. Children can measure, mix the ingredients, form the balls and roll the balls in the powdered sugar.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease an 8 by 8 inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray.
1 2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2/3 cup shredded coconut
2/3 cup chopped walnuts
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar for rolling the bites
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham crackers, coconut, walnuts, milk, chocolate chips and salt.
- Stir with a wooden spoon until all of the ingredients are well combined.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared pan and press to the edges.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the chocolate is melted.
- Stir the mixture in the pan until the chocolate is incorporated.
- Press back the edges again and set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Place the powdered sugar in a shallow bowl.
- While still warm , use a small scoop or tablespoon to dip out the brownies. Roll into balls.
- Roll each ball in the powdered sugar to coat while still warm.
- Store in a tightly covered container.
Makes 18 to 20 servings.
