The Red Hen / by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

Who will help Red Hen bake a cake?

The Red Hen  by Rebecca and Ed Emberley

A little work never hurt anyone…especially when it comes to getting something we REALLY want!  Talk about this with your children.  "Is it fun to work hard?" "How do you feel when you make something and it turns out awesome!?"  "What would you do if someone took something that you made?"

This particular take, on the classic story of The Red Hen, is my favorite.  I love the bold & abstract illustrations.  I particularly like the recipe for 'Red Hen's Simply Splendid Cake' at the back of the book!  A simple recipe children can easily help with…IF they decide to?!?  So, now the only question is…"Who want's to help me bake a cake?"…but, don't read the book yet!

We are cooking today, so you will need:

1.  medium mixing bowl

2.  9 inch pan or muffin pan

3.  sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, flour, baking powder and milk (or a boxed cake mix)

4.  food coloring *optional*

My favorite part of the book!
Pictures help children easily determine which ingredient comes next.
Large text makes it easy for beginning readers to follow.

This step is completely optional (& NOT in the book)!
I only added the food coloring because today is April Fools Day!
I know my kids won't be expecting a BLUE cake underneath the frosting!

If your children choose, have them help you with each step of making the cake.  Have fun together by licking the beaters, choosing a food color, or maybe even a little bit of a flour fight?  While the cake is baking READ THE BOOK!  Ask the obvious questions after…"Who made the cake?"  "Who chose NOT to help make the cake?"  "Do you think it's fair that Cat, Rat and Frog were not allowed to help Hen eat the cake?"  "Why?"

When the cake is done baking you may choose to frost and decorate it.  That is up to you.  However, it is definitely time to EAT IT!  Invite all children who helped make the cake to come and enjoy eating it.  Have those who declined to help stand by to watch the others take their first couple bites…this is really hard to do, but if you want to prove a point it really works!  Then ask them if they would like to join you?  When they say yes, let them…BUT…ask them how they felt when they were not allowed to enjoy in something they didn't work to accomplish?  This is a great moment to discuss the importance of hard work and its benefits!  It is also a good time to discuss the importance of sharing and showing compassion.

Any questions?  As usual, PLEASE ask!

Peace, love and happiness!

Lisa