Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Top 10 Children's Books To Read For Fall

Fall is FINALLY here!  And your local libraries are showcasing all of the best Fall time reads.  Here are our Top 10 Children's books for the Fall season:


1 ~ The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages


This story by Leo Buscaglia is a warm, wonderfully wise and strikingly simple story about a leaf named Freddie. How Freddie and his companion leaves change with the passing seasons, finally falling to the ground with winter's snow, is an inspiring allegory illustrating the delicate balance between life and death.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf is a warm and thought-provoking story and both children and adults will be deeply touched by this inspiring book. This 20th anniversary edition of this beloved classic has helped thousands of people come to grips with life and death.





2 ~ Llama Llama Gives Thanks


From beloved storyteller Anna Dewdney comes the perfect way to give thanks: a Llama Llama Thanksgiving board book!
 
In Llama Llama Gives Thanks, it's Thanksgiving time for Llama Llama and his family! That means yummy foods and autumn leaves and being thankful for everything from pumpkin pies to blue skies. Thanksgiving may only come once year, but in Llama's family, giving thanks is always here!

With short and simple rhyming text, the Llama Llama board books introduce Llama Llama to babies and toddlers before they’re ready for longer full-length stories. And their small size and durable pages are perfect for little hands.




3 ~ Mouse's First Fall 


Lauren Thompson and Bucket Erdogan show what makes fall so much fun in Classic Board Book edition of Mouse's First Fall!

One cool day Mouse and Minka venture out to play. From leaves of all colors—red, yellow, orange to brown—to leaves of all shapes and sizes—Mouse learns what makes fall such a special season! Before their fun, fall day is over, Mouse takes a big "leap!" Now featuring the newly redesigned Classic Board Book logo, this sturdy book is perfect for little ones learning about the seasons!




4 ~ I Love Fall!: A Touch-and-Feel Board Book


From plump orange pumpkins to crunchy leaves, readers will love all the textures fall has to offer in this delightful touch-and-feel board book.

From woolly scarves and plump orange pumpkins to crunchy leaves and smooth wicker baskets, readers will delight in all the different textures fall has to offer. With simple, rhyming verses and sweet, vibrant illustrations, youngsters can celebrate the season with this touch-and-feel board book that's perfect for small hands.




5 ~ The Busy Little Squirrel


The leaves have started to fall. The air is cold. Squirrel needs to get ready for winter. He cannot nibble with the mice. He does not have time to hop with the frogs or run with the dogs. Will this busy little squirrel ever slow down? 

Focusing on all the charming features of the fall season, this sweetly illustrated story features country animals, pumpkins, leaves, apples and other signs of autumn. Now available as a sturdy board book, the newly redesigned Classic Board Book logo calls out this title's seasonal theme on the front cover.




6 ~ There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!


Our favorite old lady is back and swallowing autumn items!

That wild old lady is back swallowing fall-themed items. What can you make from leaves, clothes, a pumpkin, and rope? That's right, a scarecrow!

Perfect for back-to-school time. 




7 ~ Apples and Pumpkins


A young girl spends a glorious fall day picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkin in this refreshed classic.

"When red and yellow leaves are on the trees," a little girl goes with her parents to a farm where they pick apples and choose "the best pumpkin of them all." Back home, she helps to carve a grinning jack-o'-lantern face on the big orange pumpkin, which guards their doorstep on halloween night while her mother hands out shiny red apples and she and her father go trick-or-treating with the neighborhood ghosts and goblins.




8 ~ Fall Mixed Up 


"Every Septober, Every Octember, Fall fills my senses with scenes to remember." "Bears gather nuts. Geese hibernate. Squirrels fly south in big figure eights." Fall is all mixed up in this silly book from Bob Raczka! Can you find his mistakes in the words and pictures?



9 ~ Why Do Leaves Change Color?



It's fall! The leaves are changing color. This Let's-Read-and-Find-Out picture book explains the magical process of how leaves change their color in autumn.
Now rebranded with a new cover look, this classic picture book features graceful text and simple, fun diagrams to explain concepts like photosynthesis and the different types of leaves. This book also includes simple activities to do with leaves like leaf rubbings. Both the text and art were expert-vetted for accuracy.
This is a Level 2 Let's-Read-and-Find-Out, which means the book explores more challenging concepts perfect for children in the primary grades and supports the Common Core Learning Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Let's-Read-and-Find-Out is the winner of the American Association for the Advancement of Science/Subaru Science Books & Films Prize for Outstanding Science Series.



10~ Little Critter: The Fall Festival (My First I Can Read) 


Join Little Critter® and his family on their exciting road trip to the Fall Festival! From apple picking to hayrides, discover how fun the harvest season can be.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Cooking Projects For Preschoolers

Ok, let's get down to the good stuff.  We know how much children love to do the things us adults do. We also know how picky our little ones can be when it comes to food.

So, why not get creative? Two birds. One stone.

We find that when planning and executing cooking projects in the classroom and at home it helps them to be more willing to try the food they are preparing. They yearn to do these "adult" tasks with us. My favorite way to entice them to try new things is to offer the cooking project as a lesson; but they can only do the lesson if they take a bite.

You would be surprised how many children will try new foods this way.  Slicing cucumbers and carrots? No problem. Cutting celery and bananas? Yes please.

We've even had parents come in with foods from home that their picky eaters refused to give a second glance, and beg that we somehow, someway turn them into believers. I would have to say that by the end of the school year, we had a 90% success rate.

Try it out!  If it doesn't work, at least you have fun activity ideas to share with your children. Trust me, cooking is a great bonding experience 😉

1 - Pizza Bagels!



(Image courtesy of YouTube)

Oh man, is this a good one. Kids love making these so much that they go home and immediately send their parents out for the ingredients to make with them. We make these every year at the beginning of the school year to break the ice with our students. I mean, who doesn't like pizza? Or bagels? This is easily one of their favorite projects.

What you will need:

Plan Bagels, of course (cut in half) For children we use mini bagels, but you can can use any

1 - jar of your favorite pizza sauce

Your favorite toppings (optional)

Mozzarella cheese (grated)

Directions:

You can do this one of two ways; Bake or microwave. We prefer to microwave here at school.
If baking, set your oven to 375.

Spread pizza sauce evenly over each bagel half.

Add toppings and cheese

Microwave on high for 25 seconds or bake for 10 minutes (or until cheese is a bubbly gooey goodness)

Voila.


2 - Piggy Pancakes


(Image courtesy of Allrecipes)

This goes perfectly after reading, "If You Give A Pig A Pancake" by Laura Numeroff.

What you will need:

Your favorite pancake mix. Hint: Frozen pancakes will work in a pinch if you don't feel like cooking 😉

Blueberries or chocolate chips for the eyes and a banana for the snout

Directions:

Prepare pancakes according to package instructions. If you prefer to add ears you can cut a prepared pancake into ears.

Place one small pancake in the middle of the place for the face.  Add the banana for the snout and blueberries or chocolate chips for the eyes.

And just like that, you have a piggy pancake. Top with syrup if you so choose and enjoy!


3 - Eggs In A Mug



(Image courtesy of frugalhausfra.com)

What you will need:

An egg, because what would eggs in a mug be without the egg 😄 Though, if you so desire use egg whites

A mug

Veggies and or meats (cooked) of choice (Optional)

Sharp Cheddar Cheese (Shredded)

Cooking Spray

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Lightly spray the inside of the mug

Crack egg into mug and microwave on high for 1 minute.  Add desired veggies, meats, and cheese. Return to microwave and cook for another 30 seconds or until eggs are cooked through.

Let cool and chow down!


4 - Easy Cheesy Quesadilla



(Image Courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

What you will need:

(2) Tortillas

Shredded Sharp Cheddar.

Cooking Spray

Directions:

Lightly spray your plate

Top one tortilla with as much cheese as your little heart desires

Feel free to add meats or veggies if you see fit

Cover with second tortilla

Microwave on high for one minute or until cheese is melted

Cut into fours and it's always wise to have sour cream and or salsa on hand.  They are a nice touch to an already fabulous munchie.



Enjoy!




Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Hurricane Harvey Relief Donations

Did you know that Texas and several national relief organizations have set up Amazon online wish lists for their most high demand items needed immediately?

Tens of thousands of people in Texas were displaced due to the floods of Hurricane Harvey. As of the end of last week they were up to 36,000+ people living in shelters. Around 40% of those are children. This is confirmed as the biggest flood ever recorded in U.S. History.

If you want to contribute, please consider visiting the wish lists of some of these organizations.  They will receive your items directly in a matter of a few short days.


1 - Texas Diaper Bank


A complete list of items needed can be found here:  http://amzn.to/2vrUyia

***They are still asking for diapers and feminine products.***


2 - Junior League of New Orleans Diaper Bank


This group is assisting Hurricane Harvey victims by accepting donations of diapers, wipes, and feminine products through their diaper bank foundation.  

The complete list is here:  http://amzn.to/2cl3YgM


3 - American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has its own wish list designated for Hurricane Harvey:  http://amzn.to/2x33dab