*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
The start of summer is the time to think about planting your garden and with June being National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable month, why not try out some new fruits and vegetables offered in your area? Before planting your garden, read The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and for the little ones consider reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle or Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert. National Dairy Month has been celebrated since 1939 and with all the health benefits of consuming dairy, be sure to include it in your baking and cooking. Support your local dairy farm during these trying times with a visit and for a fun read, include The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson. Spend the day outdoors with dad on Father‘s Day complete with cheeseburgers, grilled vegetables, strawberry shortcake and a book.
June is also generally the month when children are released from school to begin enjoying the pleasures of summer but unfortunately, June 2020 has been thrown into a bit of turmoil. Not to worry. Summer is an excellent time for natural learning from gardening, to exploring on nature walks to visiting farms, zoos and aquariums to canning, cooking and baking. All of these activities incorporate reading, math and science naturally and the experiences build background knowledge. Be sure to include plenty of fiction and nonfiction books for children to explore on their own and for read alouds
June
National Candy, Dairy, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Iced Tea & Mango Month
National Dairy Month
National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
National Mango Month
National Iced Tea Month
Sit back on a blanket out in nature, sip a glass of iced tea and share your favorite storybook.
2nd: National Donut Day
First Full Week: National Garden Week
For additional titles, take a look at our previous blog: Why get kids in the garden?.
11th: National Corn on the Cob Day
Bob & Rob & Corn on the Cob by Todd McQueen
13th: National Weed Your Garden Day
Weeds Find a Way by Cindy Jenson-Elliott
14th: National Strawberry Shortcake Day
Cook-A-Doodle-Doo! by Janet Stevens
21st: Father's Day
Research shows that boys are increasingly viewing reading as something for girls, which tends to result in lower reading scores. The best way to combat this attitude is for children to see the males in their life read. This Father’s Day, have dad or grandpa share their favorite story from childhood.
Happy reading!
-Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, so now is the time to get out in the yard and plant some sunny blooms that not only attract the butterflies and bees but also brightens up a world that certainly needs some happy colors at this time.
Children and nature is a great combination building physically healthier children with a stronger immune system. Being outdoors also improves sensory skills, increases attention span and aids in social/emotional development. One way to spend time outdoors is in a flower garden, which then can be brought indoors. Bringing the outdoors in with flowers is a wonderful way to add color and fragrance to a room but flowers can also be added to a meal and what child doesn‘t love to pick flowers? Edible flowers often taste like they smell so try some different varieties to find what you like. Just remember that not all flowers are edible so be sure to do a bit of research first. Some edible varieties to include might be:
(Partial list from Good Housekeeping)
In addition to growing some edible flowers, why not please the natural pollinators that visit your yard; bees and butterflies. Include those flowers that attract bees such as Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Goldenrod, Butterfly Bush, Purple Coneflower, Snowdrops, Crocus, Salvia, Sunflowers and Roses. The honey that bees produce makes a great sweetener in baked goods, on biscuits and in tea. Making honey candy is also a fun family activity. Look for various recipes and how tos online. Remember, due to the increased risk of botulism, do not give honey to children under the age of one year.
Be sure that when you choose your flowers and plant your garden that you make it a fun and engaging day that promotes discovery and natural learning. Then sit in your newly planted flower garden and read a flowery title such as:
Usborne Books and More
Sunflowers are a favorite flower for children to grow and include many varieties that vary in color and size. For a fun project for the whole family, read The Sunflower House by Eve Bunting and then get some mammoth sunflower seeds and plant your own sunflower house in your yard. At the end of summer, harvest the large seeds they produce and roast them for some healthy yummy goodness. Simply Recipes has a great article on their website, “How to Harvest and Roast (in shell) Sunflower Seeds” that covers the entire process.
One of our favorite “flower” books is the classic The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. To share the story through the years and ages of your children:
Happy planting and reading!
-Kate @ BTBL Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Spring is in the air with showers and the anticipation of blooming flowers. April is also the month that celebrates BLT’s, grilled cheese, pecans, soft pretzels and garlic. Quite the combination, but it is also Poetry and School Library Month and includes National Library Week. So, in this “Open” month, why not open a cookbook, a book of poems and an account at your local library or for that matter, open any book in April and read! Combine National Picnic Day with Earth Day and Arbor Day and pack a picnic basket with foods you’ve made with your family and kick back and take the time to enjoy a good book, good food and good company. Once again, look over our food calendar and choose a date, choose a food and choose a book and enjoy! Don’t forget to consult our book lists for suggestions and ideas. **Note: unfortunately, the Coronavirus has changed our daily lives, how we go about them and what we do. Sheltering at home can still include reading books, telling stories and writing poems and even picnicking in the backyard. Keep little brains engaged with books. Reading and listening to stories and baking in the kitchen are excellent for home learning. Enjoy and stay safe!
April
National BLT, Garden, Garlic, Grilled Cheese, Pecan, Poetry, School Library, & Soft Pretzel Month
National Garden Month
To learn about the benefits of having children help in the garden, refer to our previous blogs: The Power of a Garden and Why Get Kids in the Garden?.
“For children, most importantly, being in the garden is something magical.”
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Let's Go Nuts!: Seeds We Eat by April Pulley Sayre
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100 Pecans for Tabitha by Tracey M. Cox
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National Poetry Month
Sadly, there don‘t seem to be any anthologies of poems about food and cooking for children (at least that we have found). But poets, such as Shel Silverstein, have been known to write an amusing poem or two about food. In fact, Kenn Nesbitt has a list of food poems on his Poetry for Kids website. So, take the time to look through popular children‘s poetry anthologies for amusing food related poems and other poems to delight you and your family (and refer to our Nursery Rhymes & Poetry book list).
An activity you can do at home to celebrate Poetry Month is a type of found poetry called Book Spine Poetry. Using the titles of books on their spines, you stack the books to create a poem.
2nd: National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale by Joe McGee
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Peanut Butter & Aliens: A Zombie Culinary Tale by Joe McGee
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Peanut Butter and Jelly: A Play Rhyme by Nadine Bernard Westcott
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Peanut Butter & Cupcake! by Terry Border
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8th: National Empanada Day
The Empanadas that Abuela Made by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
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The Pumpkin Moon Empanadas by Clementina Llanes
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12th: National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
12th: National Licorice Day
12th: National Licorice Day
14th: National Pecan Day
See National Pecan Month above.
See National Pecan Month above.
19th: National Garlic Day
19th - 25th: National Library Week
Consult your local library's website, as well as the American Library Association, to see what activity ideas are out there to celebrate National Library Week.
"No Pirates Allowed!" said Library Lou by Rhonda Gowler Greene
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Homer the Library Cat by Reeve Lindbergh
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Chicken Story Time by Sandy Asher
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A Library Book for Bear by Bonny Becker
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22nd: Earth Day
Compost Stew: An A to Z Recipe for the Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
For additional titles about Earth Day, refer to our previous blog: Let's Celebrate Earth and Arbor Day!.
22nd: National Jelly Bean Day
How Many Jelly Beans? by Andrea Menotti
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The Jellybeans Love to Read by Laura Numeroff
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23rd: National Picnic Day
One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes
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The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy
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Need help planning a picnic? Take a look at The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket by Marnie Hanel, Andrea Slonecker, and Jen Stevenson. While intended for adults, this title is beautiful, witty and full of grand ideas for having the most splendid picnic imaginable.
The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket by Marnie Hanel, Andrea Slonecker, and Jen Stevenson
26th: National Pretzel Day
Brother Giovanni's Little Reward: How the Pretzel Was Born by Anna Egan Smucker
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Pretzels by the Dozen: Truth and Inspiration with a Heart-Shaped Twist by Angela Hunt
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30th: National Raisin Day
How Do You Raise a Raisin? by Pam Munoz Ryan
Last Saturday: Arbor Day
As An Oak Tree Grows by G. Brian Karas
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Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer
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Stay healthy and happy reading!
-Kate @ BTBL
-Kate @ BTBL
Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 4) for Kate, and two sons (now 1 and a newborn) for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
how does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells,
and pretty maids all in a row.
*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.
Right about now your garden should be growing with gusto but if you didn’t plant one this year, now is the time to take advantage of those who did; namely your local farm stands and farmers markets. A farmers market is a great place to engage the senses and for children to learn about all the fruits and vegetables that grow in the area as well as other homemade goods. When you support local farmers, you also stimulate the local economy and build community pride. Check out local newspapers and magazines for special farm events where your child can visit a farm for a firsthand experience and perhaps even pick their own fruits or vegetables. It has been found that when children participate in the growing and/or harvesting of fruits and vegetables, they are more apt to eat those fresh fruits and vegetables and even try new ones. Remember, all of these firsthand experiences will also build background knowledge. For more tips for a successful visit check out the MSU Extension article Take Your Kids to Farmers Markets.
To find a farmers market near you, visit the National Farmers Market Directory.
And to amp up the market experience, consider reading and discussing Food From Farms (World of Farming) by Nancy Dickmann, Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson, A Farmer‘s Life for Me by Jan Dobbins or On the Farm, At the Market by G. Brian Karas.
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Bookworm Bakers - Getting Kids in the Kitchen
To make use of all those fresh ingredients from your garden or local farm stand, consider making some salsa with your children and pairing it with homemade tortilla chips made by cutting tortillas into wedges, baking and salting them.
Fresh Garden Salsa
Use a food processor or blender to mix together all ingredients, chill and enjoy!
3 cups chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves minced garlic
½ or whole jalapeno pepper diced
2 Tbsp. lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups chopped tomatoes
½ cup chopped onion
¼ cup chopped cilantro
2 cloves minced garlic
½ or whole jalapeno pepper diced
2 Tbsp. lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste
A Farm is More than Just Produce
Also, perhaps consider taking a trip to a local dairy farm. My daughter always enjoys visiting Calder Dairy near us, especially when it means an ice cream cone or a shake. On our most recent visit we were able to see the actual milking process! Such an experience teaches children where some of their most familiar food products (milk, cheese, ice cream, etc) come from and what it takes to produce them.
Take it one step further and make your own ice cream or butter from fresh ingredients obtained from a local dairy farm. To make butter: fill a small or medium size glass jar half-way with heavy cream. If you want salted butter, add a pinch of salt. Place the lid on and start shaking for about 5 to 7 minutes. The solid that forms is your churned butter and the liquid is buttermilk, which you can use in your baked goods. For a unique butter, add some herbs or honey.
Of course, after visiting the dairy it was time to break out some of our favorite stories featuring cows. A few are informative and others are just silly and fun!
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Time spent cooking with your children strengthens bonds and builds lasting memories. Remember that recipes include reading, measuring ingredients is math and cooking is a science. So, allow your children to learn naturally through the joy of creating in the kitchen.
“Cooking with kids is not about ingredients, recipes and cooking. It’s about harnessing imagination, empowerment and creativity.”
Guy Fieri
Happy cooking and reading!
-Kate @ BTBL
-Kate @ BTBL
Author
We are three generations that seek a way to get back to basics. It’s not that we eschew technology, but sometimes simpler is better, especially in raising our children. Mom was a reading teacher, Amanda is an early childhood educator and Kate a children’s literature specialist and former school librarian along with the latest additions, a daughter (now 3) for Kate, a son (now 1) and another little boy expected this year for Amanda. We advocate reading aloud, the simple toys that use imagination and encourage creativity and learning in the kitchen, which can be a fun mess but also teaches life skills. Join us in raising healthy, happy, inquisitive and intelligent children.
National Farmers Market Week is this week, August 5th - 11th!
How does your garden grow? Well for some of us here in southeastern Michigan, not very well. Several weeks of above average temperatures and a severe lack of rain have made my tomato plants look pretty poor. Luckily I am not a farmer and don’t depend on my produce for my livelihood, but I do love frequenting the farmer’s market and supporting the local farmer’s in my area. I also love reading books with my daughter that promote farming to give her an understanding of where food comes from so that she too will have an appreciation of all the hard work that goes into producing our food and the value that our local farms bring to our community.
Farmers markets are important to our communities for they:
- Stimulate local economies
- Preserve farmland and rural livelihoods
- Increase access to fresh foods
- Support healthy communities
If you don’t already regularly visit a farmers market, think about visiting one during National Farmers Market Week for a wonderful learning experience and to support local growers and others who set up their booths at the farmers market. You also might find some great local honey, fresh bread or homemade jams and jellies from local fruit. Try out some new vegetables that you don’t normally eat or make a dip and indulge in some raw vegetables with your children. Cooking together is another great way to bond with your child and builds some exceptional real life skills.
To find a local farmers market near you, visit the National Farmers Market Directory.
After visiting a local farmers market and bringing home some delicious foods, read one of the titles below to enhance the experience and give your child a deeper understanding of farming and where our food comes from.
Before We Eat: From Farm to Table by Pat Brisson
Before we sit down to eat, many people have worked very hard to grow the food that will grace our tables. Learn about all of the hard work that goes into growing and making all of the foods that we eat every day through simple text and vibrant wood-cut illustrations.
Before we sit down to eat, many people have worked very hard to grow the food that will grace our tables. Learn about all of the hard work that goes into growing and making all of the foods that we eat every day through simple text and vibrant wood-cut illustrations.
How Did That Get In My Lunchbox?: The Story of Food by Chris Butterworth
Take a more in depth look at the production of some common foods typically found in a child’s lunchbox with this title. While this title does not address all farm-raised products, it still provides a wonderful introduction to to food production for young children.
Take a more in depth look at the production of some common foods typically found in a child’s lunchbox with this title. While this title does not address all farm-raised products, it still provides a wonderful introduction to to food production for young children.
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World of Farming series by Nancy Dickmann
-Food From Farms -Plants on a Farm -Jobs on the Farm -Farm Machines -Farm Animals
-Farms Around the World -Seasons on a Farm
This non-fiction series takes the reader through the various aspects of living and working on a farm, from the types of foods grown on a farm to the different machines needed to tend the farm properly. Real life photographs add to the learning, giving children images they can identify with (if they live near a farming community).
-Food From Farms -Plants on a Farm -Jobs on the Farm -Farm Machines -Farm Animals
-Farms Around the World -Seasons on a Farm
This non-fiction series takes the reader through the various aspects of living and working on a farm, from the types of foods grown on a farm to the different machines needed to tend the farm properly. Real life photographs add to the learning, giving children images they can identify with (if they live near a farming community).
A Farmer’s Life for Me by Jan Dobbins
This title details the daily activities of farm life, from milking the cows in the morning to collecting eggs and picking cherries. It also depicts how children help with the chores on a farm, showing that tending a farm requires everyone in a family to work together.
This title details the daily activities of farm life, from milking the cows in the morning to collecting eggs and picking cherries. It also depicts how children help with the chores on a farm, showing that tending a farm requires everyone in a family to work together.
On the Farm by David Elliott
Meet the animals to be found on a family farm. Each two page spread focuses on a different animal and features a short poem that talks about that particular animal. Not all of the poems rhyme, thus introducing little ones to various poetic forms.
Meet the animals to be found on a family farm. Each two page spread focuses on a different animal and features a short poem that talks about that particular animal. Not all of the poems rhyme, thus introducing little ones to various poetic forms.
Anywhere Farm by Phyllis Root
A delightful rhyme paired with urban illustrations show the reader that a “farm” of fresh, green growing things can exist almost anywhere. All that it takes it some soil, sun, water, a seed and someone to plant it. This book also highlights the joy to be found in sharing seeds and the foods that grow with others.
A delightful rhyme paired with urban illustrations show the reader that a “farm” of fresh, green growing things can exist almost anywhere. All that it takes it some soil, sun, water, a seed and someone to plant it. This book also highlights the joy to be found in sharing seeds and the foods that grow with others.
Usborne Lift-the-Flap Questions and Answers about Food
Lift-the-flap elements make this an interactive read that details where the food on our plates comes from fun and informative. Lifting the flaps to find the answer to such questions as “How is chocolate made?” and ‘How is flour made?,” this book is sure to keep your child coming back to learn more and more.
Lift-the-flap elements make this an interactive read that details where the food on our plates comes from fun and informative. Lifting the flaps to find the answer to such questions as “How is chocolate made?” and ‘How is flour made?,” this book is sure to keep your child coming back to learn more and more.
On The Farm (Shine-A-Light) by Susie Behar
Shine a light behind the special see-through pages to learn about life on a farm. See what chores need to be done during different seasons and take a look at various types of buildings to be found on a variety of farms.
Shine a light behind the special see-through pages to learn about life on a farm. See what chores need to be done during different seasons and take a look at various types of buildings to be found on a variety of farms.
Usborne Press-Out Paper Farm
You and your child can construct an entire miniature, cardboard farm and learn about all of the aspects of farm life at the same time with this book.
You and your child can construct an entire miniature, cardboard farm and learn about all of the aspects of farm life at the same time with this book.
So, show your appreciation for the hard work that farmers do every day by visiting a local farmers market this week and share a story all about where our food comes from with your child!
Happy marketing and reading!
Happy marketing and reading!
Author
We are mom Sandra and daughters Amanda and Kate, all with backgrounds in literacy and education, who want to share our philosophy of taking the basics of life; books, simple toys that encourage play, imagination and creativity, and using cooking and baking to teach math and real life skills to raise happy, inquisitive children. Join us in exploring the old and the new and sifting through the myriad of research to consider what is best for our children.
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