Picture Book Pair for a Fun Fall Story Time

by Rebecca J. Gomez Pairing two or more picture books with similar themes can open up a world of discussion possibilities, and those discussions are great ways to connect with your children or students. It can be fascinating to see how different authors and illustrators approach different topics and themes. Pairing books with similar themes during story time will help children learn that everyone sees the world a little differently, and it's good to see other people's perspectives. Read : Leaves by David Ezra Stein and The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater Discuss :  What is the main theme in each of these stories? How are these two books different? How are they similar? What were Bear and Squirrel both confused about?  Have you ever been confused or curious about something in nature? Talk about it! What is fall like where you live? Do you see leaves changing, then falling from the trees?  What other books about fall or leaves have you read? Are any of

Read, Discuss, Do Snack and Story: Tortilla Pizzas


by Rebecca J. Gomez

When my kids were younger, tortilla pizzas were a favorite light lunch at our house, and we still have them on occasion. They are quick and easy, totally customizable, and we almost always have the ingredients on hand. It's a simple, fun, delicious meal to share together on a Saturday afternoon. And when you pair this with story time, that's all the better!

What better book to pair this treat with than A Pizza With Everything On It? When a young boy and his father decide to make a pizza with everything on it (Everything? Everything!), they end up with an enormous pizza that is much more than they bargained for. This is a colorful, creative, over-the-top story that is sure to elicit some laughs (and maybe a few hunger pangs). Enjoy the story, then make some delicious pizzas of your own! 

READ: A Pizza With Everything On It by Kyle Scheele, illustrated by Andy J. Pizza (yes, you read that right) 

DISCUSS:

  • What are your favorite pizza toppings?
  • What is the strangest pizza topping you've ever heard of?
  • What do you think would really happen if someone tried to put everything on a pizza?
  • Pretend you're going to make a pizza with items from your house as toppings. What would you include?
  • Have you ever worked on a project that got a little out of hand? Share what happened.
DO: Make tortilla pizzas for a hearty snack or a light lunch. 

Tortilla Pizzas

You will need: 
  • 4 to 6 flour tortillas - fajita size
  • 1 8oz can tomato sauce (or puree for thicker pizza sauce)
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • a pinch of garlic powder
  • a pinch of onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp sugar
  • mozzarella cheese (or a pizza cheese blend)
  • your favorite pizza toppings 
  • a large baking sheet, greased lightly with shortening
Note: You can use store bought pizza sauce if you prefer.

To make the pizzas:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Make the sauce. Mix together tomato sauce or puree, spices, and sugar. Set aside for about ten minutes.
  3. Prepare your toppings, if desired. 
  4. Place tortillas on greased baking sheet. Use a spoon to spread the sauce almost to the edge of each tortilla. 
  5. Add your cheese and toppings. 
  6. Bake pizzas about ten minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges of the tortillas start to crisp. 
  7. Enjoy!

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