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!
Watch Out for the Lion! By: Brooke Hartman Illustrated by: Anna SuBbauer
Ages: Pre-school through First Grade
This creative and funny book is perfect for young children. In our story, the reader is in search of the ferocious lion, but finds many surprises along the way. There is a lot of word play and interesting vocabulary through out this fun story. Don’t miss this lion hunt journey!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the story, ask the child to tell you what they would look for if they were searching for a lion.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you some of the animal parts that made them think they had found the lion.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you some of the animals that they thought was the lion.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what was surprising about the ending.
Additional Books by Brooke Hartman:
- The Little Airplane
- All Aboard the Alaska Train
- Lotte’s Magical Paper Puppets
- Pega Sisters Go to Camp
- Little Narwhal Lost
Cooking Time:
Grape Salad
This is a fun salad that kids will love to help put together. Children can help by preparing the grapes, measuring and adding the ingredients.
Will need a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
2 pounds seedless green grapes
2 pounds seedless red grapes
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
8 ounces sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup pecans, finely chopped
- Wash and dry the grapes with a paper towel.
- Place the grapes in the baking dish.
- Using a mixer, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Mix well.
- Pour the mixture over the grapes and toss together until the grapes are coated.
- Chill.
- Combine the brown sugar and pecans.
- Sprinkle over the grape mixture right before serving.
Makes 12 servings.
Totchos
This is such a fun combination of tater tots and chili. The whole family will love these. Children can help by adding the layers.
32 ounces frozen tater tots
30 ounce can of chili and beans (Can also make homemade.)
1 1/2 cups Fritos
2 cups queso cheese dip
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 tablespoons sour cream
Green onions, sliced, for garnish
- Prepare the tater tots according to package directions. For extra crispy tots, bake a little longer than recommended.
- Heat up the chili and the queso dip.
- Divide the tater tots into 6 bowls.
- Add chili to the bowls.
- Top the chili with queso dip.
- Top the dip with cheddar cheese, sour cream and green onions.
- Garnish with Fritos.
Makes 6 servings.
Tigger Tails
Instead of doing lion tails, we’re going to honor our friend Tigger. Kids will love to make this delicious and fun dessert. Children can measure ingredients and help make the tails.
24 regular sized marshmallows
11 ounce bag Kraft caramel bits
10 ounce bag white melting wafers
Orange sanding sugar
1/2 cup dark chocolate melting wafers
1/2 teaspoon coconut oil
Candy sticks
- Stack 4 marshmallows on each candy stick.
- Melt the caramel according to package instructions. Allow to cool slightly, if too hot it will melt the marshmallows.
- Dip the marshmallows into the caramel and shake off excess.
- Allow to cool for 5 to 10 minutes or until the caramel has hardened.
- Pour the sugar into a tray or baking pan. Set aside.
- Melt the white chocolate in 30 second intervals, stirring after each.
- Dip the caramel- covered marshmallows into the white chocolate. Shake off excess.
- Immediately, roll the Tigger tails in the sugar until coated.
- Place the tails on a plate or tray and allow to cool.
- In a small bowl, combine the chocolate wafers and coconut oil. Microwave for 15 seconds at a time until just melted.
- Using a spoon, drizzle the chocolate over the Tigger tails.
- Allow to cool until the chocolate has hardened.
Makes 6 Tigger tails.
