Teachers are always looking for ideas to correlate books that are read in the classroom, either during a storytime session, or books that are read for a specific purpose.  Combining books with a cooking activity can add interest in reading the book.  There are hundreds of books for all ages that can be correlated with a creative recipe.  Even if there is no available stove, teachers can create a recipe to use with a book in the classroom.  There are many recipes that can be used to make finger foods that do not require a stove.  Many classrooms have microwave ovens that can be used if cooking with heat is required.

Choosing books that lend themselves to creating a recipe can be fun and challenging.  Some familiar books such as The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons have food items in the title of the book.  Others such as The Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle can inspire a creative recipe.  I created a recipe to use in my own classroom with pre-schoolers and kindergartners to use with this book.   The recipe is as follows:

Lady Bug Jello
1 or 2 packages of strawberry jello
1 box of raisins for spots
1 package of short licorice sticks for antennae

Older children in elementary classrooms also love to cook.  Children can often make
suggestions about a recipe for a food dish that can be correlated with a chosen book. After
the teacher has prepared an introductory lesson with a book and recipe, the children will
quickly understand the idea of correlating a favorite book with a recipe, and become creative in choosing books to read that can be use along with a cooking project.   The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle can inspire a delicious fruit kabob that represents the caterpillar.  Both teachers and children can use creativity in the classroom to combine good reading with good cooking.