In the mood for a little holiday cookie baking? I have two books for you to read while you munch on those tasty treats!
A spin on the traditional,
Tough Cookie by Edward Hemingway
Recommended Ages 4-8 years
You’ve heard of the gingerbread man running as fast as he can to get away but have you heard of the sugar cookie man? This sweet little cookie hops out of the bakery ready to run past the fox, only to find he isn’t that fast, and he isn’t that sweet. After trying to get a little sweeter by soaking in eggnog, and getting a little faster by running a race the little cookie is left facing an identity crisis when he cannot improve either quality. Feeling down, he hears Christmas tree ornaments calling to him. His new friends explain just exactly who he is, made of glue and lots of salt, he is a Christmas ornament!
The book ends with a few recipes for an edible tough cookie, icing, and non-edible cookie ornament.
For little ones waiting on Santa,
The Gingerbread Pirates by Kristin Kladstrup
Recommended Ages 3-6 years
A young boy, Jim, and his mom end Christmas eve by making a fresh batch of gingerbread men to leave out for Santa Claus to eat. While decorating the cookies they decide to turn them into a pirate crew. Jim becomes attached to the pirate captain and decides he can’t give it away to be eaten, and instead takes him up to his room and lays the pirate on his nightstand as he sleeps. In the middle of the night Captain Cookie awoke to rescue his crew from being eaten by the mysterious Santa Claus. His task is a large adventure reminiscent of the Nutcracker or the Steadfast Tin Soldier, as he needs to navigate the stairs, fight off a hungry mouse. When Captain Cookie finally meets Santa Claus there is a pleasant surprise waiting for his crew, and Jim.
Amanda is a preschool teacher, mother and avid Central Park picnicker. She values community and is an advocate for families in the foster care system. One day she hopes to publish a children's book of her own. In the meantime, you can follow her Instagram, Enchanted Literacy, which encourages imagination and passion for reading.
