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Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Learn to Read Recipe Book

One of the homemade Christmas gifts I did for Abby (Eric's 3 year old niece) was a Kid's "Recipe" Book. She is turning 4 in May and knows letters and will be learning to read soon. I wanted to make something to go along with the Play Kitchen we did so I decided on a recipe book. This was a very cheap project but it just took some time.

What I used:
-a binder or something to put the pages in- I used a flexible plastic one with a slide in cover on the front)
-paper to use for the pages and words- I used colorful cardstock for the letters and a couple of pages
-glue stick
-page protectors
-my Silhouette machine!! to cut out all the letters


I called it a recipe book but it is more like foods/meals and the ingredients that go into them. Now, let's be honest, I don't expect her to be learning words like appetizers, julienned, and prosciutto (right away anyway) so I kept it really simple. I used all foods that she would be familiar with.

I found images online of some basic foods/meals and the corresponding basic ingredients that go into those foods just by searching google images. I printed and cut those images out and arranged them on pages. Then I used my Silhouette machine to cut out all the words. I wanted a font that would be easy for her to read and where the letter "a" looks handwritten and not how it looks here in this font so Comic Sans MS was the best candidate. I attached everything with a glue stick and put the pages in page protectors.

Here are all of the pages from the Recipe Book.

I think my cereal recipe is pretty cutting edge...
Mmmmm mac & cheese!

Of course you can customize it however you want that makes it such a personal gift that kids are sure to love. I definitely recommend the page protectors because if I have learned one thing from being around Abby... it's that kids play hard, really hard, so you wouldn't want torn pages :)

How cute is she? She loved her book and I hope it helps her learn to read and perhaps spark an interest in cooking!


Linking up to these parties:


25 comments :

  1. That is such a cute idea!! Really well executed, too!

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  2. Holy smokes Emily, you missed your calling as a kindergarten teacher. :) That is so cute and is perfect as she learns sight words and environmental print. Perfect! Also, it was great to see you yesterday, sorry Haven wasn't much into hanging out.

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  3. that is adorable! I agree that you missed your calling as a teacher...I have made many a book like this for my kiddos at school!

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  4. Thanks everyone! That is so sweet and such a wonderful compliment but I'm not sure I would have the patience to be a teacher haha :)

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  5. Looks great I really like thi idea

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  6. That is a great idea! What a great way to combine something fun and educational into her present, nice work!

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  7. What a cute idea! I am your newest follower! You can follow me at http://craftycierra.blogspot.com/ Dont forget to enter my giveaway! If you are interested in doing a blogswap, please email me at CierraLarsen at hotmail dot com

    /Cierra

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  8. What a cute project! My recipes are just torn from magazines and are spilling out of an old folder.

    If you get a chance later today, I'd love for you to stop by to link up to my Not "Baaad" blog hop :)

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  9. This is adorable! What a wonderful way to bring the joy of cooking to learning to read! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2010/12/pink-hippo-party-7.

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  10. what a cute idea to get them their own little cookbook and get them going in the kitchen.

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  11. As a teacher, this melted my heart. How thoughtful to go along with all of her gifts...

    If you have a chance, please link this up to Creative Juice Thursday (subs open tomorrow night)

    My readers (many a parent) will eat this up!

    <3
    Nicolette
    http://momnivoresdilemma.blogspot.com

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  12. found you on somedaycrafts. OMG! I love this idea! My little 4 year old niece loves to cook! She is in the kitchen with her mommy all the time. I LOVE this idea! and can't wait to get started on it for her birthday!

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  13. that is such a cute idea! Thanks so much for linking up at Ladybug Blessings Handmade Tuesdays!

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  14. My kids love to cook with me...they would absoulutely love to have their own recipe book! come link up to my Sew Crafty Saturday Party!

    http://wildflowersandwhimsy.blogspot.com/2010/12/startin-early-for-orphaned-no-more.html

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  15. Emily, what an incredible gift and creative way to introduce a child to cooking! You and I were both nominated over at LambAround and I wanted to stop by, say hi, and give my regards. Happy Holidays! Jenn

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  16. Thanks so much for linking up at Creative Juice Thursday with this wonderful book...

    Hope to see more of your ideas in the upcoming weeks!

    <3
    nicolette @
    http://momnivoresdilemma.blogspot.com

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  17. Hi Emily I am working on these but having a hard time finding different foods, where did you find yours?

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  18. Hi Mrs. Cre! I searched on google images for the different foods and then copied and pasted them into a word document. I then resized them to what I needed and printed them out. Hope that helps!

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  19. Hi
    I do teacher training workshops. I am writing to ask permission to use the photo of your recipe book in a Power Point Presentation. (I used to do something similar in my early childhood sped classroom but I no longer have it :-( ) I will credit your site and provide your URL.
    Please respond to: epostman3@cox.net

    I look forward to hearing from you.

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