*Read to the children in your life every day. You are giving them a gift that will last a lifetime!
You Are My Happy By: Hoda Kotb Illustrated by: Suzie Mason
Age Range: Toddlers through Kindergarten
Sometimes we just want to read books to children that express our love for them. Hoda Kotb’s book does just that. It is important to remember that reading to children doesn’t just help them be successful in school, it also creates a special bond that cannot be measured. Reading at bedtime should be a tradition. The only thing to be negotiated is the number of books you read. Children also love to hear the same book over and over again and this is important to do. Reading at bedtime is an experience that children will remember forever.
Tips for Reading:
Additional Books:
- I’ve Loved You Since Forever By: Hoda Kotb Illustrated by: Suzie Mason
- I Love You Because You’re You By: Liza Baker Illustrated by: David McPhail (This is our favorite!)
- No Matter What By: Debi Gliori
- I Love You As Much… By: Laura Krauss Melmed Illustrated by: Henri Sorensen
- I Love You Little One By: Nancy Tafuri
*All of the books listed can be found on Amazon and most can be found at your local bookstore or library.
Cooking Time
Oatmeal Snack Bars
Children often want a snack before bedtime and it needs to be a healthy one. These snack bars are good anytime of the day. Children can help by adding the ingredients to the bowl and pressing the mixture into the pan before baking.
4 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
1 cup flaked coconut
3/4 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup orange marmalade
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and spray a 15 x 10 x 1 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar and salt.
- Stir in the walnuts and coconut.
- Melt the butter and add to mixture, stirring until everything is coated with butter.
- Stir in the orange marmalade.
- Press the oatmeal mixture into a greased 15 inch by 10 inch by 1 inch baking pan by using a cup or glass.
- Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool on a wire rack.
- Cut into rectangles.
- Store in an air tight container.
Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen bars.
Easy Trail Mix
Another very easy treat that the whole family will enjoy is trail mix. With only three ingredients that provide a sweet and salty taste, this will be a family favorite. Children can help you measure the ingredients and add them to a bowl. They can also stir everything together.
1 cup dry roasted nuts (can use your favorite nuts)
1 cup raisins
1 cup dark chocolate M & M’s (can use your favorite variety)
- Measure the ingredients into a bowl.
- Mix together.
- Store in an air-tight container.
