We Don’t Eat Our Classmates

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!

We Don’t Eat Our Classmates            By:  Ryan T. Higgins

Ages:  Pre-school through First Grade

 

This delightful story is about Penelope Rex’s first day of school.  To her surprise, her classmates were children and not dinosaurs.  It took persuasion from her teacher to convince Penelope not to eat her classmates.  Penelope learns a valuable lesson from the classroom’s pet fish and finally made new friends at school.  Children will love this wonderful little dinosaur and her first day of school adventure.

 

 

 

Tips for Reading:

• Before reading the story, ask the child to relate ways of making new friends on the first day of school.
• After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what surprised Penelope on her first day of school.
• After reading, ask the child to explain what happened on Penelope’s first day.
• After reading, ask the child to tell you who was not afraid of Penelope.
• After reading, ask the child to tell you why Penelope lost her appetite for children.

Additional Books by Ryan T. Higgins:

• We Will Rock Our Classmates
• Norman Didn’t Do It
• Hey, Bruce!
• Be Quiet!
• Wilfred

 

Cooking Time:

Our recipes are all great for after school snacks.

After School Snack Mix

Children will enjoy all of the different snacks in this one dish.  They can help by measuring, adding the ingredients and mixing.

1 cup corn cereal (Chex or Crispix)

1 1/2 cups cheese crackers (Cheez-Its or Goldfish)

1 1/2 cups small pretzels

1/2 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts

1/2 cup lightly salted roasted almonds

1/2 cup raisins or yogurt covered raisins

1/2 cup M & M’s

• Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and mix.
• Store in an airtight container.

Makes 10 servings.

 

Banana Sushi

This healthy snack is a nice twist for an afterschool snack.  Children can help by adding the ingredients and rolling the tortilla.

1 flour tortilla

1 banana, peeled

2 to 3 tablespoons peanut butter

Small smear of Nutella

• Spread the peanut butter on one side of a tortilla.
• Add a thin line of Nutella down the center.
• Place the banana on the tortilla and straighten it if needed. Place on top of the Nutella.
• Roll the tortilla up around the banana, making it as tight as possible.
• Slice the roll into 1 inch rounds and serve your sushi.

Makes 2 to 3 servings.

 

Strawberry Oatmeal Jam Bars

This delicious bar is good for afterschool or for a breakfast snack.  Children can help by measuring and adding the ingredients.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9 by 9 inch baking pan with butter.

3/4 cup cold butter, cut into pieces

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of cinnamon

1/4 cup chopped pecans, optional

9 ounces strawberry jam

• Slice the butter into little pieces and set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, oats, cinnamon and pecans (optional).
• Add the butter.  Use a pastry blender or a mixer on low to mix to form crumbs.  Do not overmix.
• Spread just enough dough mixture onto the bottom of the prepared pan to cover.  Gently press.
• Spread the jam evenly onto the crust.
• Add the remaining oat topping over the jam.  Press slightly.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 to 50 minutes or until golden brown.
• Allow to cool and slice.

Makes 12 servings.