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 Wishing Leaf By: Kallie George Illustrated by: Paola Zakimi
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
This is the perfect book as we enter the fall season. In our story, tradition has it that the last leaf that falls from the trees is a “wishing leaf”. All of the animals go out to watch and wait as the last leaf is getting ready to fall. Unfortunately, it hung on until they all got too tired to stay, except for Bear. Please get this sweet book and find out what happened.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child to tell you some of the signs that fall is coming.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Bear and his friends were waiting for the leaf to fall.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Bear did while he was waiting.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you why the other animals left.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Bear wished for.
- After reading, ask the child if they think that Bear’s wish was granted.
Additional Books:
- Leaf Man By: Lois Ehlert
- We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt By: Steve Metzger Illustrated: Miki Sakamoto
- The Leaf Thief By: Alice Hemming Illustrated by: Nicola Stater
- Fletcher and the Falling Leaves By: Julia Rawlinson Illustrated by: Tiphanie Beeke
Cooking Time:
Apple Fries with Caramel Dip
Kids will love this new take on fries. Children can help by measuring, mixing and dipping the apple fries.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
4 large apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
2 large eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Non-stick cooking spray
Caramel Dip:
1 cup caramel sauce
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
- Wash and peel apples. Slice into fry-like strips.
- In the first of three bowls, combine the flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In the second bowl, add the eggs and whip.
- In the third bowl, place the breadcrumbs.
- Dip each apple fry in the flour, then the eggs and finally in the breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the apple fries on the baking sheet.
- Spray lightly with the non-stick cooking spray.
- Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
- For the caramel dip, whisk together the sauce, cream and vanilla.
- Serve the apple fries warm with the caramel dip on the side.
Makes 10 servings.
Best Grilled Cheese
Most children love grilled cheese and serving it with tomato soup is perfect. Children can help by assembling the sandwich.
2 slices of your bread of choice ( we used sourdough)
2 slices of cheese (cheddar, American, Monterey Jack, etc.)
Mayo
Butter
- Spread butter on on side of each slice of bread.
- Place one slice, butter side down, in a skillet.
- Spread mayo on the slice of bread in the skillet.
- Layer the two slices of cheese on top of the mayo.
- Cover the cheese with the second slice of bread, butter side up.
- Grill on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown.
- Flip and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden.
Makes 1 serving.
Mini Apple Pies
Kids will love eating and making these sweet apple pies. Children can help by measuring and adding ingredients, cutting the crust and forming the pies.
Pillsbury Prepared Pie crusts
3 medium apples (Honeycrisp), peeled and diced
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon flour
Optional topping:
Egg wash (1 egg and 1 tablespoon milk)
Coarse sugar for sprinkling
Caramel drizzle
Apple Filling:
- In a bowl, mix the diced apples, sugars, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and flour.
- Stir until apples are evenly coated.
- Roll the dough out flat. Using a 3 inch biscuit cutter, cut out circles.
- Press the dough into the muffin tins.
- Add about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the filling to each cup.
- Top with strips of dough. We used a cookie cutter shaped as a small leaf and placed on the top.
- Brush on the egg wash.
- Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.
- Allow to cool before removing from the tin.
Makes 12 mini pies.
