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’re giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything By: Linda Williams Illustrated by: Megan Lloyd
Ages: Pre-School through Second Grade
This is such a fun book and perfect to read to children on the night before Halloween. The little old lady was not afraid of anything. One evening, she is put to the test as she is walking home and it is starting to get dark. In the end, all of the scary things that she encountered came together and everything worked out just as it should. This is a great book for letting children predict what they think is going to happen next. A must read for Halloween.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child why he/she thinks that the little old lady was not afraid of anything.
- As you’re reading the story, ask the child to help you read the repeated sounds throughout the book.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what the little old lady said to all of the things she encountered on her walk.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what did finally scare the little old lady.
- After reading, ask the child how the little old lady helped all of the scary things that she saw.
Additional Books:
- Room on the Broom By: Julia Donaldson Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler
- Big Pumpkin By: Erica Silverman Illustrated by: S. D. Schindler
- Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin Picking Plan By: Catherine Hapka Illustrated by: Loryn Brantz
- Pumpkin Jack By: Will Hubbell
- Boogie Bones By: Elizabeth Loredo Illustrated by: Kevin Hawkes
Cooking Time:
Marshmallow Ghosts
These sweet ghosts are so much fun and very easy to make. They would be perfect for a Halloween party. Children can help by adding the ingredients and putting on the eyes.
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
12 ounces white melting wafers
1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
Mini M & M’s for eyes
- Place the melting wafers in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each. Should only take about 1 1/2 minutes.
- Add the marshmallows to the white chocolate and stir until they are completely coated.
- Drop by heaping tablespoons onto the waxed paper, forming them into ghosts.
- Decorate by placing the M & M’s for the eyes.
- Put into the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
Makes 15 servings.
Halloween Snack Mix
Everyone in the family will love this delicious snack mix and it is perfect for the Halloween season. You can alter the amounts of the ingredients as you wish. Children can help by adding the ingredients and stirring the mix.
6 cups caramel corn
2 cups salted peanuts or cashews
2 cups candy corn
1/2 cup raisins
- Using a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
- Mix well and serve.
Witch Hat Treats
This delicious version of Rice Krispie treats is a fun addition for any Halloween event. They take a little more time, but will be a great recipe to make with children. Children can help by adding the ingredients, and decorating the hats.
Generously butter a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
3 tablespoons butter
1 package (12 ounces) large marshmallows
1/2 cup peanut butter
6 cups Rice Krispie cereal
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening
1 can vanilla frosting
Orange food coloring
Chocolate jimmies
Black licorice
- Place the butter into a large microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave until the butter is melted, about 1 minute.
- Add the marshmallows, and stir until they are coated with butter.
- Microwave in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until the marshmallows are melted.
- Immediately stir the peanut butter into the marshmallow mixture.
- Add the cereal, and stir until it is completely coated with the marshmallow mixture.
- Using a buttered spatula, put the mixture into the greased pan.
- Press to make sure the treats are packed.
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and shortening in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted.
- Spread the melted chocolate over the Rice Krispie treats.
- Refrigerate until the chocolate is solid.
- Cut the treats into 3 inch by 3 1/2 inch squares. If you want smaller hats, cut in 2 inch by 2 1/2 inch squares.
- Cut the squares into triangles, leaving a hat brim at the bottom. See diagram below.
- You will have a lot of extra left over pieces of treats that can be served.
- Add a licorice strip to form the hat’s brim.
- Using about half of the vanilla frosting, add orange food coloring.
- Place in a ziplock bag and cut off the tip for piping.
- Add the icing above the licorice strip.
- Use the jimmies for decoration on the orange part of the hat.
Makes 8 large hats with lots of extra pieces to eat.
