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 Leaf Thief By: Alice Hemming Illustrated by: Nicola Slater
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
In our story, the squirrel is enjoying all of his beautiful leaves, but can’t figure out who keeps taking them. After a lot of questioning, he finally figures out that the culprit is the “wind”. This delightful story helps children to better understand how leaves change color in the fall. The last two pages provides more information about this process. This is just a fun story with wonderful illustrations.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to look at the cover and predict what time of year it is.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell what the squirrel thought was happening to his leaves.
- After reading, ask the child who squirrel thought was stealing his leaves.
- After reading, discuss with the child what was really happening to the leaves.
- At the end of the story, ask the child to explain what new problem squirrel is having.
Additional Books:
- There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! By: Lucille Coandro Illustrated by: Jared Lee
- Fletcher and the Falling Leaves By: Julia Rawlinson Illustrated by: Tiphanie Beeke
- The Very Last Leaf By: Stef Wade Illustrated by: Jennifer Davison
- Leaf Man By: Lois Ehlert
- We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt By: Steve Metzger Illustrated by: Miki Sakamoto
Cooking Time:
Owl Snacks
Children will love making these healthy owl treats.
Caramel Corn Rice Cakes
Apples
Peanut butter, Nutella, or favorite nut butter
Cheerios
Banana
Blueberries
Strawberries
- Spread nut butter over the rice cake.
- Place sliced apple at the sides for the wings.
- Place 2 slices of banana for the eyes.
- Put a dot of the nut butter onto the banana slices and add a blueberry to each.
- Add rows of Cheerios for the feathers.
- Add a small piece of strawberry for the beak.
Make as many as you would like.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Fall is the perfect time for a warm bowl of soup. Children will love helping with this delicious recipe. Children can measure and add the ingredients.
You will need a large pot.
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced or cubed
1 cup celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup flour
2 1/2 teaspoons oregano
2 teaspoons pepper
3/4 teaspoon thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
14 cups chicken broth
2 potatoes, cubed
6 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped or shredded
2 cups half and half
12 ounces egg noodles, uncooked
- In a large pot, heat the butter until melted.
- Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic.
- Cook over medium high heat for 7 to 10 minutes or until the veggies have begun to soften.
- Add the flour, oregano, pepper, salt and thyme. Cook and stir for another 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken broth and potatoes.
- Bring to a boil over medium high heat for 5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.
- Add the chicken and half and half. Return to a boil.
- Add the noodles.
- Cook for another 10 minutes or until the noodles are cooked through.
Makes 10 to 14 servings.
Maple Apple Blondies
Apples are the perfect addition to these delicious blondies. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs, and chopping the apples.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use non-stick cooking spray to grease an 11 by 7 inch pan.
Blondies:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Apple Filling:
2 large apples, finely chopped
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Maple Glaze:
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- In a medium sauce pan, add the ingredients for the apple filling.
- Cook mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Take off heat and allow to cool.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter for 1 minute.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar and mix until well combined.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each.
- Add the salt and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and cinnamon.
- Add to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- Spread half of the blondie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Spread the apple filling over the blondie layer. If there is a lot of liquid in the apples, drain before covering the batter.
- Top the apples with the rest of the batter and spread evenly.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool for 10 minutes. While cooling, make the glaze.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon over low heat.
- Once melted, take off heat.
- Add the powdered sugar and whisk until fully combined.
- Allow the glaze to cool for 8 to 10 minutes so that it can thicken.
- Pour the cooled glaze over the warm bars.
- Allow to set.
Makes 9 to 12 bars.
