*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
What Will Grow? By: Jennifer Ward Illustrated by: Susie Ghahremani
Ages: Toddlers through Kindergarten
I had the opportunity to meet, Jennifer Ward, the author of this lovely book. She has written many books, but selected this one for us to highlight. What Will Grow? is a rhyming flip book that shows what happens when you plant different seeds. The story and beautiful illustrations take us through the growing season with the end result being a garden. This amazing book is a walk through nature. Children will enjoy the flip pages and the rhyming text.
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading the book, ask the child to think of things that grow from seeds.
- After reading, ask the child to recall some of the things that grew from seeds that were highlighted in the book.
- Together with the child, locate the rhyming words in the book. (sow/row, brown/crown, etc.)
- At the appropriate time of the year, help the child plant seeds and take care of the plants as they grow.
Additional Books by Jennifer Ward:
- What Will Hatch?
- Mama Dug a Little Den
- Mama Built a Little Nest
- There Was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea
- The Busy Tree
Cooking Time:
Alphabet Vegetable Soup
Sometimes nothing is better than a warm bowl of soup. This delicious soup contains a lot of great vegetables that are grown from seeds. It is quick and very easy to make and children will enjoy the pasta letters floating in the soup. Children can help by adding the ingredients to the pan and kitchen clean-up.
32 ounce carton of chicken broth
1 large potato, peeled and cubed
1 medium onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste if needed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup small alphabet pasta or 1/2 cup small shell pasta
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) petite diced tomatoes, do not drain
- In a large pan or soup pot, combine the chicken broth, potato, onion, carrot, celery, peas, bay leaf, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Stir mixture and bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add the pasta and tomatoes.
- Cook an additional 5 minutes or until the pasta is tender.
- Discard the bay leaf and serve warm.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Southwest Tortilla Salad
This is one of our favorite salads! It has a great combination of healthy vegetables along with black beans and cheese. The dressing has a southwest flavor and the chips give it an extra crunch for texture. Children can help by adding the ingredients, mixing the dressing, breaking up the chips and kitchen clean-up.
3 ears of corn-on-the-cob
1 bag (9 to 10 ounces) romaine hearts, chopped
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 package (8 ounces) finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 cup salsa, mild
3/4 cup ranch dressing
Tortilla chips, broken (about 2 cups) (Could also use Fritos.)
- Remove the husks and tassels from the corn.
- Wrap each ear of corn in moist paper towel.
- Microwave all 3 ears for 3 minutes.
- Let the corn cool.
- Using a knife, cut the kernels from the cobs and set aside.
- Place the chopped lettuce in a large salad bowl.
- Layer the corn on top of the lettuce.
- Add the beans onto the corn.
- Layer the cheese on top of the beans.
- Sprinkle the tomatoes on top of the cheese.
- Chill salad in the refrigerator while you make the dressing.
- Mix the ranch dressing and the salsa together.
- When you are ready to serve, put the dressing on the salad and mix.
- Break the tortilla chips and sprinkle on the top of the salad.
Makes 8 to 10 servings.
