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!
When You Dream Big! By: Peter H. Reynolds
In our story, Charlie’s teacher asked the class what their dream for the future would be. All of the class knew what they wanted, but Charlie did not. Some students wanted to be actors, astronauts, engineers, etc. Charlie gave it a lot of thought and came back the next day with her thoughts. She didn’t know what she wanted to be, but she did know the kind of person she wanted to be. This is a wonderful and thoughtful book!
Tips for Reading:
- Before reading, ask the child if they know what they would like to be when they grow up.
- After reading the story, ask the child to tell you what big question that Charlie could not answer.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Charley felt when she couldn’t answer the question.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you what helped Charlie.
- After reading, ask the child to tell you how Charlie finally answered the question.
Additional Books:
- Because I Had a Teacher By: Kobi Yamada Illustrated by: Natalie Russell
- Tomorrow I’ll be Kind By: Jessia Hische
- The Wonderful Things You Will Be By: Emily Winfield Martin
- What the Road Said By: Cleo Wade Illustrated by: Luci de Mayencourt
Cooking Time:
Fruit Turtles
This is a fun fruit treat that kids will love to make and eat. Children can add the fruit to the white chocolate to form the turtle.
White melting wafers
Green grapes
Kiwi
Candy eyes, mini
- Peel the kiwi and slice.
- Halve the grapes.
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Stir after each.
- Put the warm chocolate in a piping bag or zip lock bag.
- Pipe a dollop of the chocolate onto parchment paper. Try to form into the shape of a turtle.
- Make sure the fruit is totally dry.
- Place the kiwi slice on top of the chocolate.
- Add a whole grape for the head.
- Arrange four halved grapes for legs on the sides of the kiwi.
- Use the chocolate as glue to add the candy eyes.
- Allow to set until the chocolate is firm.
Make as many as you would like.
Strawberry Banana Car
Another super healthy treat that kids will love to make. Children can add the strawberries to the top and the wheels.
Bananas
Strawberries
Toothpicks
- Cut a banana to the length that you want for the car.
- Scoop out a couple of areas on the top of the banana to cradle the strawberries.
- Slice a strawberry into 4 slices to form part of the wheels.
- Slice the banana into 4 slices to attach to the wheels using toothpicks.
Make as many as you would like.
Strawberry Cheesecake Bites
The whole family will love this delicious treat. Children can help by measuring, adding ingredients and adding the topping.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8 inch square pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cut parchment paper to fit, leaving wings on the side to lift out the dessert. Spray the parchment paper.
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2cup butter, melted
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup Cool Whip
1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
1/2 cup strawberry crunch topping (Amazon)
- In a medium bowl, combine the graham crackers and the melted butter.
- Press into the bottom of the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Fold in the Cool Whip and strawberries.
- Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled crust.
- Sprinkle the strawberry crunch over the cheesecake.
- Cover and allow to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Lift the cheese cake out using the parchment paper overhang.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Makes 16 small bites.
