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 Red Jacket By: Bob Holt
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
Bob is a seagull and nothing is going right for him. He thinks that his luck has changed, when a bird offers to give hum his red jacket with French fries in the pockets. Bob thinks that the jacket is helping him make friends. He is terrified when he loses the jacket. He realizes that he really didn’t need the jacket after all. This is a book about gaining self confidence.
Tips for Reading:
- As you’re reading the book, ask the child to look at the pictures and tell you how Bob is feeling.
- After reading the book, ask the child to tell you who gave Bob the jacket and why.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how all of the others reacted after Bob got the jacket.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Bob discovered by the end of the book.
Additional Books:
- Rainbow Fish By: Marcus Pfister
- The Brave Little Crab By: Ekaterina Illina
- The Box Turtle By: Vanessa Roeder
- Piranhas Don’t Eat Bananas By: Aaron Blabey
- Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Party By: Wendi Silvano Illustrated by: Lee Harper
Cooking Time:
Turkey Club Wrap
This delicious wrap is perfect for a day at the beach. Children can help you assembly.
4 large flour tortillas
1 pound sliced deli turkey
1 pound sliced deli ham
1/2 medium onion sliced
12 slices cooked bacon
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 large tomato, sliced
1/2 cup mayo or ranch dressing
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- Place the tortillas on a clean flat surface.
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese with the mayo or ranch dressing.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the middle section of each tortilla.
- Add the shredded cheese, bacon, onion, tomato and lettuce.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Layer on the turkey and ham.
- Fold the sides in on top of the filled tortilla and roll up like a burrito.
- Cut in half. Secure with a wooden toothpick if needed.
Makes 8 servings.
Loaded Cheese Fries
Since Bob had French fries in the pockets of his red jacket, it only seems appropriate to have a fry recipe. Kids will love these cheesy fries! They can help by piling on all of the toppings.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Frozen French fries
Shredded cheddar and/or mozzarella cheese
Crispy bacon bits
Sour Cream
Chopped Green Onions
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
- Spread the frozen fries on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle olive oil over the fries.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake in a 425 degree oven for 20 to 35 minutes or until golden brown. Flip half way through baking.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the shredded cheese.
- Return to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
- Layer with the bacon bits and warm briefly in the oven.
- Add the sour cream, green onions or any other toppings of choice.
Make as many as you would like.
Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies
This is a fantastic chocolate chip cookie recipe. The cookies are big, thick and full of chocolate chips. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and cracking the eggs.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
2 1/3 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes)
- Add the egg and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Form the dough into balls, about 1/4 cup each and press slightly.
- Place on the prepared baking sheets.
- Cover the cookies with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Remove the wrap from the cookies. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until set and golden brown on the edges.
- Remove to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cookies and return to the rack to continue cooling.
Makes 15 cookies.
