Little Cooks with Books: Peanut Butterflies

Gracen is so excited that after Spring Break her class will be observing as butterflies prepare to hatch.  I thought it would be fun to read a few butterfly-themed books over the break.  Here are our two favorites.

 Where Butterflies Grow (Picture Puffins)

Where Butterflies Grow describes the complete life cycle of a butterfly.  The author brings the process to life through her use of sensory imagery.  My girls especially loved the pictures in this book.  They are realistic illustrations that actually look like photographs.  A fun special feature of this book is the small creatures which are hidden among the plants.  This encourages readers to use their observation skills to locate as many of the creatures as they can.  My kids challenged each other to see who could find the most.

 Velma Gratch and the Way Cool Butterfly

The girls and I love this book.  It is about a first grade girl who feels like she will never compare to her older sisters. She feels like they were the most perfect first graders ever.  However, while on a school field trip to a butterfly conservatory, a butterfly lands and roosts on Velma's finger.  This experience gives Velma some extra special attention.  I appreciate how the author uses the beautiful colorful pictures and a story with which children with siblings can relate to help teach facts about butterflies.  Everyone will love Velma!

Peanut Butterflies

 To go along with our butterfly books, we decided to make Peanut Butterflies. They were fun to make and Wes and Sam thought they were yummy.  Gracen did not care for them.  I think they were to peanutty for her.  John loved them.

Here is how we made the butterflies:

1. Make the peanut butter dough.
2. Roll two large balls of dough, place them side by side on a baking sheet, and gently flatten them.
3. Roll two smaller balls of dough, place them underneath the flattened balls on the baking sheet, and gently flatten.
4. Gently press all of the balls together so they are forming a butterfly shape.
5. Roll a small cylinder shape to create the body of the butterfly.  Place it in the middle of the butterfly wings.
6. Decorate with mini chocolate chips.
   

Printable Recipe with Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Recipe

 This recipe and idea came from The Kids-Did-It!  Cookie Bookie  This deliciously cute cookbook is an introduction to baking for kids ages 3 to 12.  It includes 14 tasty, easy-to-follow and fun-to-look-at cookie recipes, each illustrated with colorful animal paintings and other watercolors created by kids.

This post is part of the Mouthwatering Monday Blog Carnival over at A Southern Fairytale, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdsays at  Blessed with Grace, Tasty Tuesdays at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, and  Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff.  Stop by for more yumminess.