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!
Theo the Mouse – A Christmas Story By: KH Meyers Illustrated by: Bekah Grace
Ages: Preschool through Adult
KH Meyers may be new to writing books for children, but he hits this one out of the park! Mr. Meyers has taken the classic “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and re-done the verse from the perspective of Theo the Mouse. This is the perfect book to add to your Christmas reading list, because it stresses the importance of family. This wonderful book can be purchased on the author’s website at: KHMeyers.com.
Tips for Reading:
- Read the original story, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”, prior to reading this one.
- Before reading the story, discuss with the child how mice are nocturnal animals and actually do creep around at night.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why Theo was so disappointed before getting back to his home.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Theo decided was really important about Christmas.
Additional Books:
- Twas the Night Before Christmas By: Clement C. Moore
- The Christmas Wish By: Lori Evert Photos by: Per Breichagen
- Polar Express By: Chris Van Allsbury
- Little Red Sleigh By: Erin Guendelsberger
Cooking Time:
Chocolate Cherry Mice
We couldn’t do a book about Theo and not include a fun treat in the shape of a mouse. These are so easy to make and are delicious. Children can help with dipping and adding the head, ears and eyes.
1 cup milk or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon Crisco
20 Maraschino cherries with stems
20 Hershey Chocolate Kisses
40 sliced almonds
40 small candy eyeballs
Waxed paper
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening into a microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until chips are melted. Stir until smooth.
- Drain the cherries on a paper towel to remove most of the juice.
- Holding each cherry by the stem, dip it into the chocolate mixture until completely covered. Place on the waxed paper with the stem forming the mouse’s tail.
- Immediately, put a chocolate kiss on the front to form the head.
- Add two almond slices behind the head to form the ears.
- Put a dab of melted chocolate on the back of 2 candy eyes and place them onto the chocolate kiss.
- Place the completed mice into the refrigerator until the chocolate has solidified.
Makes 20 mice.
