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 Trouble with Giraffes By: Lisa Mantchev Illustrated by: Taeeun You
Ages: Pre-school through First grade
When you have a giraffe for a pet and best friend, things can get a little difficult. This wonderful book goes through the trials of friendship. This story is a lesson on true friendship, not just for children, but for everyone who reads it. It is a must read!
Tips for Reading:
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why it was so hard for the little girl and the giraffe to walk together.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what problem occurred when it was Pet Club day.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the ways that the little girl and the giraffe were different.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how the giraffe and the little girl helped each other during difficult situations.
Additional Books:
- Strictly No Elephants By: Lisa Matchev Illustrated by: Taeeun Yon
- My Friend By: Taye Diggs Illustrated by: Shane W. Evans
- Ricky, the Rock that Couldn’t Roll By: Mr. Jay Illustrated by: Erin Wozniak
- My Truck is Stuck By: Kevin Lewis and Daniel Kirk
Cooking Time:
Macaroni and Cheese Bites
Kids love Mac and Cheese and these mini bites are a lot of fun to eat. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking eggs and making the bites.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and spray 2 mini muffin trays with cooking spray.
12 ounces elbow macaroni
5 ounces herb cream cheese, softened or spreadable
2 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
Pinch of salt and pepper
Crust:
2 cups crushed Ritz Crackers
6 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Melt the 6 tablespoons of butter and mix with the crushed Ritz and the 1/2 cup cheddar cheese.
- Press about 1 teaspoon of the mixture into each of the mini muffin tins. Press firmly and crust should come up the sides.
- Prepare the macaroni a few minutes shy of al dente.
- Drain and put into a large bowl. Add the herbed cream cheese, cheddar, sour cream, milk, eggs, cold butter, salt and pepper.
- Mix until the cheese is starting to melt and no large clumps remain.
- Spoon about 1-2 teaspoons of the mixture into each well over the prepared crust. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit at least 10 minutes. If you try to remove them before that, they will crumble as you take them out.
- After 10 minutes, run a knife around the edges and then gently remove each one. Serve warm.
Makes 48 mini muffins.
Mini Grilled Cheese Rolls
Kids love grilled cheese sandwiches and these mini ones are delicious. Children can help by mixing ingredients and adding the cheese and topping to the bread.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
1 package Hawaiian rolls
8 to 10 cheddar cheese slices or your choice of cheese
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
4 slices cooked bacon, optional
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Pinch of salt and pepper
- Slice the entire sheet of Hawaiian rolls horizontally. Do not separate.
- Lay cheese slices evenly over the bottom half.
- Add the bacon, optional.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the cheese.
- Mix the melted butter with the garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, salt and pepper.
- Brush the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls.
- Cover with foil. Bake for 12 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes or until golden.
- Slice and serve.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Oreo Fluff
Oreos are everyone’s favorite and are perfect in this light fluffy dessert.
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 package (3.4 ounces) vanilla instant pudding mix
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup milk
8 ounce tub of Cool Whip
14.3 ounce package Oreo cookies
2 cups mini marshmallows
Mini Oreo cookies
- Using a mixer, combine the cream cheese, pudding mix, sugar, vanilla and milk. Mix until smooth.
- Using a spatula, fold in the Cool Whip and mix until fully combined.
- Place the regular Oreos in a plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crumble the cookies.
- Add the crumbled cookies to the cream cheese mixture.
- Add the mini marshmallow and stir until combined.
- Cover and chill for one hour.
- When serving, garnish with mini Oreos.
Makes 8 servings.
