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 Back to Basics

Reading and cooking with kids

July = Flags, Fireworks & Food!

6/27/2020

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*Note: this post contains Amazon Affiliate links. Any purchases made via the links provided go to support our literacy efforts.

"Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

     July, the month we celebrate our Nation’s Independence along with the national celebration month for Blueberries, Grilling, Hot Dogs, Ice Cream, Picnics, Pickles, Watermelon and Culinary Arts. Celebrate Independence Day with good food, family and friends and enjoy the celebrated days of the month with the food of that day and a story book. Consider making your own ice cream with your children in celebration of National Ice Cream Day. Choose a simple ice cream in a bag recipe that your children can help make and then choose a story from our list to read aloud. Visit your local farmer’s market and get some cucumbers to make homemade pickles with your kids to enjoy on burgers cooked on the grill. Culinary Arts Month promotes awareness of professional cooks and chefs, so be sure to offer opportunities to explore in the kitchen for your budding chef.
     Summer is the best time to be outdoors exploring nature, basking in the sun and just playing. Though we are literacy and reading advocates, we encourage both parents and children to spend a portion of each day outdoors, enjoying an unplugged summer. Richard Louv, in his book Last Child in the Woods, coined the term 'Nature Deficit Disorder' in which he believes that many behavioral problems are a result of children spending less time outdoors. Whether you agree with his views or not, research shows that children in the United States spend an average of 44 hours a week with electronic media and obesity continues to be a problem. Allow time for free play outdoors as well as time for unrestricted reading. Read to your child daily, allow them to participate in hands-on learning opportunities and take excursions and outings that will not only build background knowledge, but also encourage creativity and problem solving, skills which will in turn build self-confidence and self-esteem.
     So, this July, spend time outdoors relaxing on a blanket, enjoying picnic fare that you and your child have made together and bring along your favorite story book. Take time to unplug, reconnect and just be.
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July
National Blueberry, Culinary Arts, Grilling, Hot Dog, Ice Cream, Pickle, Picnic & Watermelon Month
National Blueberry Month
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Blueberry Mouse by Alice Low
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Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
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More Blueberries! by Susan Musgrave
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One Little Blueberry by Tammi Salzano
National Culinary Arts Month
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Start to Cook by Abigail Wheatley
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Children's World Cookbook by Fiona Watt
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Stir, Crack, Whisk, Bake by Maddie Frost
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The Complete Baking Book for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
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The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs by America's Test Kitchen Kids
National Hot Dog Month
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The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! by Mo Willems
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Hello, Hot Dog! by Lily Murray
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Stan the Hot Dog Man by Ethel and Leonard Kessler
National Ice Cream Month
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Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons
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Wemberly's Ice-Cream Star by Kevin Henkes
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Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise by Margret & H. A. Rey
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Curious George Goes to an Ice Cream Shop by Margret & H. A. Rey
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Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems
Did you know you can make your very own ice cream at home in a bag?
National Watermelon Month
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The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli
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Mouse's First Summer by Lauren Thompson
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Watermelon Party by Jasmine Cabanaw
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One Watermelon Seed by Celia Lottridge
National Picnic Month
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The Teddy Bears' Picnic by Jimmy Kennedy
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One Hundred Hungry Ants by Elinor J. Pinczes
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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.

7th: National Chocolate Day
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Lily's Chocolate Heart by Kevin Henkes
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If You Give a Mouse a Brownie by Laura Numeroff
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Curious George Goes to a Chocolate Factory by Margret & H. A. Rey
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No Monkeys, No Chocolate by Melissa Stewart and Allen Young
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Chocolate: The Consuming Passion
by Sandra Boynton
While this title is intended for adults, it is filled with the kind of witty text and comical illustrations expected of the incomparable Sandra Boynton and is sure to bring delight to the chocolate enthusiasts of every age!

9th: National Sugar Cookie Day
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Who Put the Cookies in the Cookie Jar? by George Shannon
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Mo Willems‘ Elephant & Piggie Love Reading!: The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat
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The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems
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The Cow Loves Cookies by Karma Wilson
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May I Please Have a Cookie? by Jennifer Morris
11th: National Blueberry Muffin Day
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If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Numeroff
3rd Sunday: National Ice Cream Day
     -See the list above under National Ice Cream Month.
15th: National Gummi Worm Day
     -Celebrate by reading your favorite book and munching on some delicious bookworms (the gummi variety, of course).
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 2 and 8 months) 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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    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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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Back to Basics
    • Contact Us
  • Reading Aloud
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    • Book Lists >
      • Ballet Books
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      • Number Books
      • Interactive & Sensory Books
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      • Stories about Books, Reading & Libraries
      • Fables, Folktales & Fairy Tales
      • Nursery Rhymes & Poetry
      • Holiday Books
      • Graduation Books
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