As if I didn't already love Cheerios (they saved me many, many Sundays at church when I had fussy babies/toddlers), they have an amazing program called Spoonful of Stories which focuses on the importance of children reading and the value of having parents and children read together. There is also a contest to find the next great children's book author!
Over the past seven years, Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories has given away more than 35 million children's books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated nearly $3 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families. In addition to encouraging children to read, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children's books! Deadline is July 15, 2009, details are here.
Shellie Braeuner, the first year's winner, won for her book "The Great Dog Wash". This nanny from Nashville won a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing!
Cheerios, sponsored by MyBlogSpark, is giving a Gourmet-Mom-on-the-Go reader a copy of The Great Dog Wash along with three other books from the Spoonful of Stories library! Hooray! I love new books!
Marne who said...
"Some of my favorites are by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Her kids books are amazing!"
Banana Nut Cheerio Bars (from Cheerios)Ingredients:
3 tablespoons margarine or butter (do not use spread or tub products)
1 bag (10.5 oz) miniature marshmallows (5 1/2 cups)
6 cups Banana Nut Cheerios cereal
1/3 cup roasted sunflower nuts
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon canola oil
Directions:
1. Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In large microwavable bowl, microwave margarine uncovered on High 30 to 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss until coated. Microwave uncovered on High 1 minute 15 seconds to 1 minute 45 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds, until mixture can be stirred smooth.
2. Stir in cereal and sunflower nuts until well blended. Press evenly in pan.
3. In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips and oil uncovered on High 45 to 60 seconds, stirring very 15 seconds, until melted and smooth. Drizzle over bars.
4. Cool 1 hour or until glaze is set. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 4 rows. Store loosely covered.
optional: Melt a few peanut butter chips and drizzle those on as well. Yum!
Special thanks to MyBlogSpark for sponsoring this giveaway.
