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 Superpower Sisterhood By: Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush Illustrated by: Cyndi Wojciechowski
Ages: Preschool through Second Grade
This beautiful book gives us all insight on the power of “sisterhood”. This story is about a group of girls in a neighborhood who bonded together, like real sisters, to do good work. It also reveals the power and the importance of reaching out to others and the wonderful things that can happen when you do. This lovely story demonstrates inclusion and community. A must read!
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Emma was a little lonely living on Humble Street.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Emma’s life changed.
- Ask the child to tell you some of the wonderful things that the “sisterhood” did to help their community.
- Ask the child to explain why Emma’s group had “superpower”.
- After reading, ask your child to tell you some of the things that they might do to help their neighbors.
Additional Books:
- Sisters First By: Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush Illustrated by: Ramona Kaulitzki
- Our Great Big Backyard By: Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager Illustrated by: Jacqueline Rogers
- Read All About It By: Laura Bush and Jenna Bush Hager Illustrated by: Denise Brunkus
Cooking Time:
Cinnamon Sugar Cruffins
These are so easy to make and absolutely delicious. Great for sharing with your sisterhood! Children can help by measuring, mixing and sprinkling on the sugar mixture.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prepare muffin pans by greasing with non-stick cooking spray with flour added.
1 package puff pastry (2 sheets)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
- In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and cinnamon.
- Set aside 2 tablespoons of the sugar mixture.
- Open up each puff pastry sheet.
- Cover one of the pastry sheets with butter.
- Sprinkle the larger portion of sugar mixture onto the butter.
- Place the second sheet of pastry on the top.
- Roll up like a cinnamon roll. Fold down the ends to secure.
- Cut into 1 inch slices and place into the muffin tins.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 13 to 15 minutes or until golden.
- Sprinkle the top of each muffin with the additional sugar mixture or roll the warm muffins in the sugar.
Makes 10 servings.
No Bake Granola Bars
Your children will love these easy to make granola bars. Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients, mixing and pressing into the pan.
Place parchment paper in a 9 by 9 inch baking pan or dish.
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup rice cereal
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup mini M & M’s
2/3 cup honey
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, cereal, chocolate chips and M & M’s.
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey and peanut butter.
- Melt on low heat until completely combined.
- Remove from the heat and add the vanilla.
- Pour over the oat mixture and gently toss to coat.
- Press into the prepared baking pan. Use a good bit of pressure, but be careful not to crush the ingredients.
- Refrigerate for an hour before cutting into bars.
Makes 9 servings.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
We are always trying new chocolate chip cookie recipes and this one was a little different, but delicious. Children can help by measuring and adding ingredients, cracking the eggs and dipping out the cookies.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cubed
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cornstarch
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup dark chocolate chips
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter, brown sugar and sugar (3 to 5 minutes).
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing after each.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flours, cornstarch, baking soda and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until just combined.
- By hand, stir in the chocolate chips.
- Using a scoop or spoon, form balls and place on the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove to racks to cool for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the pans and return to the racks to complete the cooling process.
Makes 3 dozen cookies.
