Food & Fun

By Christina Crosland

Illustrations by Mike Deas

Speller Soup

Have your own spelling bee with this alphabet soup! See how many words you can spell with the letters in your bowl. Be sure to get an adult’s help.

2 1/2 cups mixed vegetables, chopped

3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1 1/2 cups alphabet pasta

salt and pepper to taste

1. Put the vegetables and broth in a pot and bring to a boil. Add the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning and bring to a boil again. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the vegetables are almost done.

2. Reduce heat. Stir in the pasta and let the soup simmer until the vegetables and pasta are cooked (about 8–10 minutes). Add salt and pepper to taste.

Paper Maker

Run out of paper to practice your spelling? Make more from paper scraps! Recycling is one way you can make a difference in the world a little at a time.

used paper scraps

blender

water

parchment paper

towel

rolling pin

1. Rip paper scraps into small pieces and put them in a blender. Cover the pieces with water. Blend, adding water if needed, until it becomes a thick pulp.

2. Place the towel on a flat, waterproof surface, then put the parchment paper on the towel. Pour the paper pulp on top and use your hands to spread it. Use the rolling pin to make it as thin, flat, and even as possible.

3. Carefully lift the parchment paper off the towel and set it in a safe place. Let your paper dry completely. Now it’s ready to use!

Go to page 36 for a story that will leave you spellbound!