In the Stacks with NW Kid Chaser

New Recipes to Share...

10/24/2013

Always on the look out for a new crock pot and/or freezer recipe, I checked out this nifty book at the library
last month an found two new favorite recipes.

Chunky Applesauce -----

For the crock pot: this is the recipe that will never again allow us to purchase applesauce at the store. Hooray for boys who can help peel the apples!

10 large apples
cored-peeled-diced
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sugar

Cook on high for 3-4 hours.

Mini Chicken Turnovers -----

Easy to make ahead of time, you can pop these frozen turnovers in the oven for a quick and delicious snack.

Fill small circles of puff-pastry with:
2 Tblsp minced onion
4 Tblsp diced mushrooms
1/4 tsp minced garlic
2 cups cooked, diced chicken
2 oz. cream cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 pepper
3 Tblsp white wine

Flash freeze and, when needed, bake from frozen at 400' for 20 minutes.

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Little Rabbit...

9/10/2012

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I’ve blogged about the talented Klise sisters and their fabulous chapter books in the past. In this post, I’d like to draw attention to their picture books with Little Rabbit.

I recently read these books with my seven year old and wish I had found them earlier. Little Rabbit finds himself in a variety of situations that seem remarkably well suited for “read-aloud and conversations” with four and five year-old children.

"Why Do You Cry?” explores why we cry and if those falling tears really make you a “baby.”

“Imagine Harry” introduces imaginary friends, the first day of school, and making new friends.

“Little Rabbit and the Night Mare” delves into fears (both in the day and during the night).

“Little Rabbit and the Meanest Mother on Earth” shows that running away from home to join the circus may not be such a grand plan after all.

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Middle School: Magic & Madness...

11/5/2011

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I have few academic memories of middle school, but a seemingly unlimited number of stories about best-friends-forever who were not, epic drama in the cafeteria, and I-heard-that-she-said-that-he-said whispers in the girls' bathroom. The 6th through 8th grade years are simultaneously fabulous and horrific. It's an exciting time for youth who are finding their own voice, maneuvering a changing body, and trying-on new independence. However, I've considered asking for a sabbatical from parenthood when my own boys reach the middle school years. I may not be strong enough to endure the angst.

Which brings me to
my latest read:

Emma-Jean Lazarus
Fell Out of a Tree
by
Lauren Tarshis.

This delightful book enters the world of middle school girls through two voices. One voice belongs to Colleen Pomerantz, who is sucked into the drama of the resident 'mean girl' while valiantly struggling to remain true to herself. The other voice belongs to Emma-Jean Lazarus, an objective observer to the complicated choices of her tween peers. As an adult, I tend to read between the lines detailing such characters, but as a whole I was impressed that this book offers a wonderfully balanced view of the social maze that middle school girls often travel. There is good (the joy of a BFF and the excitement only expressed through high-pitch squealing) and there is bad (fear of rejection and feeling hopelessly misunderstood). However, in the end all is ok. In the end, you will survive. In the end, things get better.

A bit of humor, a dose of truth, and a subtle underlying mystery -- I highly recommend this book for young girls who can relate to the overall setting. Of course, I don't think my nine-year old son will share my appreciation. I found this 'Emma-Jean Lazarus title' while previewing books for his nightstand. So.....I guess that means it's back to the stacks for me. I'll let you know what I find.

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Calling Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle...

4/30/2010

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Recently our wonderful Neighbor Toni introduced our family
to the world of Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle. Perhaps it was the name that made me pass this treasure in the past – but no longer.
My oldest son and I are now Piggle-Wiggle converts.
These cute book are a true winner.

Each Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle book contains several stories of children who in one way or another are driving their parents crazy. There are children who don’t do their chores, children who talk-back, children who make messes, children who
don’t feed their pets, and even children who (gasp) lie!
Just when parents think there is no way to cure these naughty children from their ways, the children are sent to spend days (or weeks) with Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle and all is cured. She
has help from a talking parrot. She does it all with love and kindness. She is the ultimate Love and Logic trainer.
She’s my hero.

These books are equally good for boys and girls and probably rank in the 4th grade reading level. They remind me a lot of the adult novels by Alexander McCall Smith: The #1 Ladies Detective Agency. A dose of human nature + a bit of down-to-earth common sense = an unlikely heroine.

One evening my oldest was tucked in bed and I asked if he
had brushed his teeth. (I admit this may qualify as passive-aggressive parenting, as I was pretty sure he hadn’t completed the task.) My son looked at me and paused. It was a long pause. Torn between lying and getting out of his cozy bed, he peered up at me while I whispered to him, “Do I need to send you to see Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle?” The boy erupted in laughter. In fact, his laughter could be heard all the way downstairs. He brushed his teeth. I kissed him goodnight. All was well.

Maybe Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle’s powers are real?

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Bear Feels Sick...

12/31/2009

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I just found this cutie of a book and plan to add it to
my library list every time I have a sick kid.
The rhyme and cadence set up a nice pattern,
but it's the way the animals care so sweetly for their friend
(and bear's actions in return) that make it a
must-read for families battling the flu.

No one likes to be sick - but at least you can enjoy
this good story when you're under the weather.

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NW Kid Chaser

New Recipes to Share...

Chunky Applesauce -----

Mini Chicken Turnovers -----

Little Rabbit...

Middle School: Magic & Madness...

Calling Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle...

Bear Feels Sick...

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