Ideal for home or classroom use, this activity book combines two favorite activities: cooking and reading. Enhanced by related science, art, or language activities, forty-five favorite books that feature food are paired with recipes, such as Little Red Hen's Honey Wheat Bread.

Features:

• Forty-five books that feature food
• Science, art, or language activities
• Chef-created recipes
• Safety tips
• Conversion charts
• Glossary of cooking terms
• Bibliography

SAMPLE

Mouse TV
by Matt Novak
(New York: Orchard Books, 1994)

Everyone in the mouse family prefers watching a different TV program. They argue loudest about what to watch during the commercials, waking up the baby. But one day the TV doesn't work and they must find other things to do. They explore, play games, make things, and perform experiments. Best of all, there are no commercials and no arguing--and the baby sleeps.

Popcorn Volume

Materials:

Measuring cups
Kitchen scale
½ cup popping corn
Sharp knife
Cutting board
Popcorn popper or pan with lid
1 tablespoon oil (omit if using air popper)
Large bowl
Cookie sheet
Ruler

Directions:
Weigh an empty 1/2-cup measuring cup on the scale. Measure ½ cup of popcorn into the cup. Weigh the popcorn by subtracting the weight of the cup. Record the weight of the popcorn. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a kernel of popcorn in half and examine the moist center. Speculate on what the weight and volume of the popcorn will be after it is popped, recording predictions.

Place oil in popcorn popper or pan. Add popping corn, put on lid, and pop. Put popcorn in large bowl. Measure the popcorn's weight and volume, adjusting for the weight of the bowl. How do your results compare with your predictions. You can explain that the moisture in the corn vaporizes into steam and expands when heated, bursting the kernel.

Related Books:

Asch, Frank. Popcorn. New York: Trumpet Book, 1979.
dePaola, Tomie. The Popcorn Book. New York: Holiday, 1978.
Thayer, Jane. The Popcorn Dragon. New York: Morrow, 1953.

T.V. Popcorn

Tools:

Popcorn popper
Measuring spoon
Measuring cups
Cutting board
Sharp knife
Large bowl
Wooden spoon

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon oil
1 cup popping corn
½ cup dried apricots
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup peanuts (dry-roasted, shelled)

Steps:
1. Place oil in popcorn popper or pan. Add popcorn, cover with lid, and pop.
2. While popcorn is popping, place dried apricots on the cutting board. Carefully cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
3. When the popcorn is finished popping, place in a large bowl. Add the apricots, raisins, and peanuts. Stir with the spoon and serve.

Serves 4-6.
Note: You may substitute microwave or air-popped popcorn.