The Tale of Peter Rabbit
by Beatrix Potter
The Tale of Peter Rabbit
Young readers will enjoy the action and suspense of this captivating tale, holding their breath until Peter’s fate is discovered. Will Peter’s mother discover where he has gone? Will Mr. McGregor catch him and turn him into rabbit pie? Will he ever find his way home again?
The beautiful, iconic watercolor artwork adds to the depth of this story, drawing the reader in to the many perils that Peter faces. This classic (the second best-selling children's book of all time!) has been charming children and adults alike for over 100 years and is sure to continue doing so for generations to come.
In this Issue
- Use one of Peter's favorite snacks to make Carrot Rabbit Stamps.
- We've given a springtime favorite a healthy, chocolate twist with our Chocolate Carrot Snack Cake, complete with cream cheese frosting!
- Hop, nibble, and squeeze under the garden gate with Peter Rabbit Book Play.
- Carrot and Parsley Salad is a light, nutritious springtime meal.
If you have an iPhone or iPad, check out this virtual pop-up edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit from iTunes!
Carrot Rabbit Stamps
Carrot Rabbit Stamps
Supplies
- 1 full size carrot
- knife
- paints
- crayons or markers
- construction paper
- Cut the top off the carrot to make a flat, round surface. Cut the carrot into 3 equal pieces lengthwise. This will make 3 different sized circles.
The largest will be the body.
Cut the medium piece in two lengthwise to make the ears.
The smallest will be the head and the fluffy tail.- To make a rabbit, dip the largest carrot in paint in the desired color for body, then stamp on construction paper. Repeat with smallest piece for head. Repeat to make ears with medium piece cut in half.
- Dip smallest piece in white paint and add the fluffy bunny tail.
Cocoa Carrot Snack Cake
We gave the springtime (or anytime, really) favorite of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting a healthy, chocolatly makeover. 100% whole wheat and sweetened with honey, applesauce, and carrots, of course, it is a special treat that will please you and your young reader. I believe I would venture into Mr. McGregor's garden to get carrots for this cake!
A cake like this is perfect for making with little ones because it is prepared with little more than measuring, mixing, mixing again, and then it's into the pan and the oven. Having patience to let it cool before adding the icing might be the hardest part of the whole process!
Cocoa-Carrot Snack Cake
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Grated rind of 1 orange
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 to 3 large grated carrots
- 1 cup applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts (optional)
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9”x9” baking ban with cooking spray.
- Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cocoa together.
- Stir orange rind, honey, applesauce, and vanilla together.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until just combined, and fold in grated carrots.
- Pour batter into pan, and bake for 25 to 30 minutes.
- When cake is cool, frost top of cake with cream cheese frosting (recipe follows).
Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 oz. Neufchatel cheese or reduced fat cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- Beat butter and cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
- Add powdered sugar 1/4 cup at a time; add vanilla and beat until smooth.
Peter Rabbit Book Play
Act It Out
Read the story again and invite your little one to act out Peter’s adventure:
- Run to Mr. McGregor’s garden then squeeeeeeze under the gate.
- Nibble on French beans and lettuces, then rush all over the garden looking for the gate.
- Keep going until Peter has been put to bed. Maybe this will become a new way to get your little reader to bed at night? Enjoy!
The Land of Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter drew inspiration for her books from her home, Hill Top Farm, and the surrounding countryside in the Lake District of England. On the World of Beatrix Potter site, you can see photos of the area where she lived, farmed, sketched and painted.
Get out your globe or map and show your young reader how to find England, the inspiration and setting of Peter Rabit. Identify where you live as well and where England is in relation to your home.
2012 marked the 110th publication anniversary of the first of Potter's "little books." For online games, coloring pages and more, visit the official Peter Rabbit website!
Carrot and Parsley Salad
This is the perfect easy-prep, springtime salad. Kids will love to wash the carrots and parsley, tear the parsley leaves, and mix the carrots, parsley, and dressing together. How many ingredients from this salad did Peter find in Mr. McGregor’s garden?
Carrot and Parsley Salad
adapted from Fanny at Chez Panisse: A Child's Restaurant Adventures with 46 Recipes
by Alice Waters
Ingredients
- 3 large carrots
- 1/2 bunch parsley
- 1/2 small clove of garlic
- 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt to taste, about 1/8 teaspoon
- Peel and wash the carrots. (Little hands are great at washing carrots!)
- Shred the carrots using either the large holes on a box grater or the shredding blade of a food processor.
- Pick the leaves off the half bunch of parsley, then wash and dry the leaves. Chop leaves into small pieces.
- To make the dressing, peel the clove of garlic, cut in half, then finely chop one half to make a puree. Place garlic in a large bowl and add the vinegar and oil and mix together.
- Stir carrots and parsley into the garlic mixture, season with salt and stir until thoroughly mixed. Enjoy!
I want to have a copy of this on my shelves. Wish my mom would buy me this.
Posted by: Multi-purpose shelving system | Jul 20, 2012 at 03:53 AM