Read, Discuss, Bake: Books about bread!

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  One of my favorite memories from my childhood was my dad’s baking. He’d often bake a simple white bread, which we would use for sandwiches or snacking. He’d sometimes turn some of it into cinnamon rolls, which came in second only to my mom’s chocolate chip cookies. On special occasions he’d whip up a batch of Orange Cinnamon Swirl, a loaf of mildly orange flavored bread with a swirl of cinnamon and sugar in the center, glazed with an orangey icing. In my mind, there was no better treat. And it wasn’t just the eating of the bread that was enjoyable, but the anticipation. And the smells. Is there any better smell than bread baking in the oven? My dad taught me how to bake bread, and I still have the copy of  Bernard Clayton’s New Complete Book of Breads  that he gave me nearly 30 years ago. I bake from it often. Bread is a staple all around the world. And bread, like books, can do wonders to foster human connection. So our hope with this list today is that it will inspire...
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Read, Discuss, and Do: MOUSE'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

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Mouse's Christmas Gift by Mindy Baker, illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, is the story of a little mouse who steps in to help make the Christmas Eve celebration happen. In the story, when Parson falls ill and is forced to cancel the Christmas Eve service, Mouse takes things into his own paws, setting up the nativity and lighting a candle in the church window. This small act inspires people around town to contribute to the joy of the Christmas season, even in a time when there seems to be "no money for Christmas." Mouse's Christmas Gift is a sweet, charming story full of Christmas spirit that you will want to share with your loved ones year after year.

READ: Mouse's Christmas Gift

DISCUSS: 
  • In what ways can you help spread the joy of Christmas using your own skills and items you find around the house?
  • What does your family do on Christmas Eve? 
  • If you had "no money for Christmas," what could you give as gifts?
  • Do you have a favorite Christmas song? 
  • What is your favorite thing about the Christmas season?
DO: Make a torn paper Christmas wreath.


You will need:
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • Red and green paper, any kind
  • Paper plate
  • Red yarn or ribbon 
Directions:
  1. Cut out the middle of the paper plate. 
  2. Tear green paper into random pieces (I used construction paper, but any kind of paper will do). 
  3. Tear the red paper into small, roundish shapes to look like berries. 
  4. Glue the green paper pieces onto the plate until it's completely covered. Next, glue the red pieces around the wreath.
  5.  Tie a length of ribbon or yarn into a bow and glue it at the top. If you don't have ribbon or yarn, draw a bow on red paper, cut it out, and glue it to the top of the wreath. 
Once your wreath is dry, hang it somewhere for all to see!

Other wreath ideas: 
  • Make smaller versions of the wreath to decorate homemade Christmas cards to give to friends, family, and neighbors. 
  • Make tiny wreaths as ornaments to hang on the Christmas tree.
  • Use fabric scraps instead of paper.
  • Try different colors!

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Note: This is an updated version of a post that was published on rebeccajgomez.com. 


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