Summer is here! Join us this month as we start our summer fun off right.
READ: Mama, Is It Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure.
Use your library card or get a library card here!
As spring slowly turns to summer, a little boy builds a fort and plants a garden in impatient anticipation.
Increase pre-literacy skills as you read together:
- Encourage your little learner to say the repeated phrase "Mama is it summer yet?"
- Invite your child to point to all of the colors on the page. Say, "This page is purple." Turn the page and ask, "Can you point to all of the purple on this page?"
- Ask your little learner to name things they see on each page and expand on what they name. For example, if they say, "Birds" you can say, "That's right, there's one-two bird!"
- As you read, run your finger under the words to draw your little one's attention to the text.
SING: Summer Sun
(Tune: London Bridge is Falling Down)
EXPLORE: Cool Summer Sips
The book these recipes are from is written to allow your little chef to take the lead! Build your little learner's confidence in the kitchen with these sweet fruit-based drinks made to beat the summer heat.
Fresh Squeezed Lemonade
Materials:
- 2 quart pitcher
- Wooden spoon
- Citrus squeezer
Ingredients:
- 4 to 6 lemons
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 to 4 cups of water
Instructions:
- Wash those lemons with a good rinse under warm water. The warm water loosens up all those juices.
- Ask an adult to cut each lemon in half.
- Squeeze 1 cup of lemon juice using your preferred squeezer, and pour it into your pitcher.
- Add the sugar and stir until it's dissolved, then add the water.
- Taste test! Add more water if it's too strong, more sugar if it's too sour, or more lemon juice if it's too sweet! Once it's perfect, enjoy!
Optional:
- Use this same recipe for limeade.
- Smash ½ cup of raspberries into the lemon juice and sugar for a raspberry pink lemonade.
- Add scoops of vanilla ice cream to your glass for a creamy lemonade float!
Strawberry and Orange Slushy
Materials:
- Blender
Ingredients:
- 2 cups ripe strawberries, tops removed
- 1 cup ice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions:
- Everything on the list goes into the blender!
- Put the lid on and ask an adult to help you turn the blender on. It's gonna get loud! Blend the ingredients up until nice and frosty smooth.
- Next, pour into cups and enjoy! Easy, right?
Optional:
- Frozen fruit works great too
- Use any fruit juice you have.
- No honey? No problem. Just skip it!
To find more recipes like this one, check out My Very First Cookbook by Danielle Kartes!
JOIN: Visit us at the library and attend a program!
View all early childhood programs and events offered this month.
