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!
Turkey’s Sandtastic Beach Day By: Wendi Silvano Illustrated by: Lee Harper
Ages: Pre-school through Second Grade
Well, “Turkey” is back and this time he is going to the beach to be part of a petting zoo. Unfortunately, he really wants to be down on the beach doing fun things. He tried many disguises to get there, but none of them worked. No worries, as usual, it all works out for Turkey and his friends. Children will love the play on words throughout this fun story. If you have read the other books by Wendi Silvano, you will not want to miss this one.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they have heard or read any other books about Turkey.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you why the farmer was taking his animals to the beach.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what Turkey wanted to do when he got to the beach.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the disguises that Turkey used.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Turkey and his friends got to really enjoy their beach time.
Additional Books About Turkey:
- Turkey Trouble
- Turkey’s Valentine Surprise
- Turkey’s Eggcellent Easter
- Turkey Goes to School
- Turkey Trick or Treat
- Turkey Claus
Cooking Time:
Seashell Macaroni Salad
This is a perfect salad for a beach day. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and mixing.
16 ounces medium shell pasta
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1 teaspoon onion salt
2 cups mayonnaise
3/4 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
8 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
16 ounces frozen peas, rinsed with warm water
1 cup diced ham
- Prepare the pasta according to the package directions. Drain, rinse in cold water and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the celery salt, onion salt, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasoning salt.
- Add the pasta, cheese, peas and ham. Mix well.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Makes 12 servings.
Fish Tacos with Mango Salsa
Children will love these fish tacos and the salsa adds so much flavor. By using fish sticks, they are so easy to make. Children can help by measuring, adding the ingredients for the salsa and building the tacos.
10 ounces fish filets or sticks
8 soft flour taco shells
2 cups shredded cabbage
Mango Salsa:
1 mango – peeled, cored and diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
- Prepare the fish according to the package directions.
- Put all of the ingredients for the salsa in a small bowl and combine completely.
- Place about 1/4 cup shredded cabbage in a taco shell.
- Place 1 or 2 fish filets or 4 fish sticks on top of the cabbage ( may need to cut fish to fit).
- Spoon the mango salsa on top of the fish.
Makes 4 servings.
Catch-A-Wave Sugar Cookies
Children will love making and decorating these fun beach cookies. They can help by measuring, adding the ingredients, cracking the eggs and decorating.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 large eggs
2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon cream of tarter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Frosting:
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon almond extract
2 to 4 tablespoons hot water
Decorations:
Blue food coloring
Teddy Grahams
Goldfish
White candy beads
Fruit strips
Lifesaver candy
- Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix.
- Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tarter, baking soda, salt and nutmeg.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture.
- Using a scoop, drop the dough onto the prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
- Flatten slightly with the bottom of a glass, dipped in sugar.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to brown.
- Place on cooling racks for 5 minutes.
- Remove the cookies from the pans and return to the racks to complete the cooling process.
- Prepare the frosting while the cookies are cooling.
- Using a mixer, beat the butter, powdered sugar and extract together.
- Add the hot water to reach the desired consistency for spreading.
- Add blue food coloring to look like ocean water.
- Use additional items to form beach scenes.
Makes about 2 dozen cookies.
