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!
Turkeys on Strike By: Jennifer Jones
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
It’s a week before Thanksgiving and all of the turkeys banded together and went on strike. The teacher received a letter telling the class the news. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkeys, so the class decided to hold a Turkey Talent Show to show their appreciation. The turkeys came and performed and Thanksgiving was saved.
Tips for Reading:
- Prior to reading, discuss with the child what a strike is, to help them understand the story.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what the problem was in the story.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what the turkeys were doing.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how the children decided to solve the problem.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you who might go on strike next.
Additional Books:
- Turkey Trouble By: Wendi Silvano Illustrated by: Lee Harper
- Taylor the Thankful Turkey By: Sonica Ellis Illustrated by: Nejla Shojaie
- One is a Feast for Mouse By: Judy Cox Illustrated by: Jeffrey Ebbeler
- How to Catch a Turkey By: Adam Wallace Illustrated by: Andy Elkerton
Cooking Time:
Oreo Turkeys
This turkey project is easy and delicious. Children can make this fun treat on their own.
Double Stuff Oreos
Candy corn
Candy eyes
Orange M & M’s
Frosting
- Add 5 pieces of candy corn between the Oreo layers, to form the tail.
- Add a dot of frosting on the back of the eyes and place onto the Oreo.
- Place a dot of frosting onto the edge of the M & M and place onto the Oreo for the beak.
Make as many as you would like.
Peanut Butter Turkey Cookies
These peanut butter cookies are delicious and adding a Reese Cup puts them over the top. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients, cracking the egg and decorating the cookie.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
1 3/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
Additional sugar for rolling cookies
36 mini Reese’s Cups
Candy corn
Candy eye balls
Yellow and orange M & M’s
- In a small ball, whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Using a mixer, cream together the butter and peanut butter.
- Add the sugar and brown sugar and cream for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the egg and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Blend in the dry mixture and combine until smooth.
- Shape the dough into balls. Roll the balls in sugar.
- Place on the baking sheet.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 8 minutes.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and place a Reese’s Cup on each cookie.
- Allow the cookies to cool.
- Add 3 pieces of candy corn on each cookie to form the tail.
- Place the candy eye balls onto the Reese’s Cup.
- Put an M & M sideways for the nose.
Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Turkey Cupcakes
These are so easy to make because you begin with a cake mix and canned frosting. Children will love decorating these fun turkeys.
Cake mix
Chocolate icing (canned or homemade)
Fall M & M’s
Candy eyes
- Follow the instructions on the cake mix box to make 24 cupcakes.
- Frost each cupcake with chocolate frosting.
- Start by choosing 8 M & M’s of the same color to line the outside of the cupcake. Push into the cupcake and tilt upward.
- Next, choose another color and place 7 candies below the first row to form feathers.
- Make a third row with 5 candies of a different color.
- Place two candy eyes on the cupcake.
- Add an M & M on its side to form the beak.
Makes 24 cupcakes.
