The Yummiest Valentine Activity and “Groggle’s Monster Valentine”Book Review

by Haley Bono

Groggle’s Monster Valentine, by Diana Murray, might be about monsters, but the story is anything but scary. Have you ever made a valentine so delicious you just couldn’t help but eat it? No? Groggle the monster did, and no matter how hard he tried, every valentine he made for his best friend ended up in his stomach.

In the end Groggle offers what’s left of his last valentine, which only has one word remaining, “Friend”. As it turns out, that single word was the most important word from all his cards. His friend loved it so much, she ate it and thought it was scrumptious.

This book promotes a strong theme of friendship, and how important our friends can be. With your little ones, discuss different qualities that make up a good friend. Who are some of their friends? Can family also be friends? It is so important to choose good friends, the type of friends who treat you right, and to be that type of friend.

If you would like to purchase this book, please check your local bookstore, or you can purchase it here. on amazon. You may also be able to find this book at your local library.

Just like Groggle, you can make a valentine yummy enough to eat. Valentine’s Day is a great time to tell your friends and family how much you care about them, and why not do it with a delicious cookie?

Supplies:

Sugar Cookies (Click here for a recipe), Frosting (Click here for a recipe), Letter Gummies (OPTIONAL, click here for amazon link), sprinkles (optional), FREE Yummy Cookie Valentine template (there will be a download link at the end of this post) something to color/write with, scissors.

Directions:

1. Choose who you would like to give some cookie valentines to.
2. Write the word “FRIEND” on the valentine template and discuss what it means to be a good friend.
3. Color the template.
4. Decorate your cookie using any of the items you chose to include from the supplies list. If you chose the letter gummies, you can spell “FRIEND” on the cookie.
5. Deliver the cookies. I would also recommend making enough so you can eat some too!

Different Variations:

• For children with stronger vocabularies, encourage them to think of their own word to describe their friend, and write that on the valentine template. Maybe their friend is funny, nice, or smart, etc.
• Older kids can use the back of the valentine template to write a little note to their friend. Include the word on the front in their note.
• If you are working with a large group, my number one tip for helping an activity like this run smoothly is be prepared. Set rules and expectations before any supplies are handed out to the kids. I recommend giving each kid one paper plate, with a small amount of frosting, and a plastic knife.Then give each child a cookie.