Day 2: Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story

Next up: Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story by Edward Hemingway published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (September 11, 2018).

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This is such a fun read for ages 4-8! When this cookie comes out of the oven, he is sure he is SWEET. But, when Fox catches up to him and takes a bite- they are both shocked to learn that this cookie is NOT sweet! What is a cookie to do? Find out, in this “sweet” story about a TOUGH cookie learning who he is.

Pete the Elf is here for a second day and this time, he’s made a bit of a mess… But all in good fun!

Pete the Elf got into the baking cabinet! And he’s cooking up some not so sweet treats… AKA playdough!

On Day 2, this is how my kids will find Pete. With another note that says something like:

“I cooked you up something yummy! Just Kidding- it’s not food! BUT, enjoy reading this book (not pictured, I forgot to add it to the photo! But Tough Cookie will be next to him.), and making some of your own TOUGH COOKIES! Enjoy!”

The printables will also be next to him. You can mention them in the note, or just let your kiddo’s know he brought them some more each time.

Playdough recipe:

1 cup flour

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil (I normally use vegetable oil, but didn’t have any and learned you can use any oil! So I used olive for this one)

1/3 cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tarter

Mix all in a pot. Then add your brown food coloring. I recently bought these, which has almost every color!

Steps for Day 2.

  1. Place Elf with playdough ingredients, throw some flour on him, the book Tough Cookie, the made playdough, cookie cutter, and a bit of other colored playdough next to him (you’ll see why in a sec).

  2. Read Tough Cookie by Edward Hemingway

  3. Let your child play around with playdough and cookie cutters. Show them how to decorate the “cookie” to look like Tough Cookie.

  4. Complete the free printables posted below!

Here is where you can use other colors to decorate your gingerbread men!

I used colorful clay to decorate them. Playdough would work too but I feel this way will help my kids keep it separate so here is a link to the clay we have.

Free printables below!

Have your child decorate this gingerbread man/women however they’d like! Help them cut it out, and place a string through it to hang on tree!

Copy and paste to a word doc or download the printable here.

I promise, there won’t be a maze EVERY day of these 25 days. haha But, it does go with this story as well. AND my 5 yo LOVES mazes.

Copy and paste to a word doc or download this printable here.

I hope you enjoy reading Tough Cookie: A Christmas Story as much as I did! I can’t wait for my kids to read this book, make their own Tough Cookies, and use these printables! Please share comments and pics if your kids do it too!

Stay Tuned for Day 3 with December 3rd: Bulldozer’s Christmas Dig by Candace Fleming (Author), Eric Rohmann (Illustrator)

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Day 3: Bulldozer’s Christmas Dig

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Day 1: Otto the Ornament