Books Alive: I Like Myself

Hi! It’s Emily from Is This Really My Life. I’m super excited to be participating in Bettijo’s Books Alive series again this summer. Last time I shared one of my favorite Elephant & Piggie books along with a recipe for salted caramel swirl pecan ice cream. Mmm…now I want ice cream…

This year I had a hard time choosing a book because we are avid book readers in our home and our bookshelves are crammed with favorites. But a few children’s books stand out thanks to engaging illustrations and powerful messages. I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont is definitely one of them.

"I Like Myself" book and fun recipe to make with your kids via @PagingSupermom #BooksAlive

Don’t let the crazy cute illustrations and simple verse fool you—this book teaches one of the most important lessons of all: liking yourself just the way you are.

One of my favorite sections reads:

Inside, outside, upside down,
from head to toe and all around,
I like it all! It all is me!
And me is all I want to be.

And I don’t care in any way
what someone else may think or say.

Can I get an AMEN? Though written for children, I feel like this book is applicable to grownups as well.

"I Like Myself" book and fun recipe to make with your kids via @PagingSupermom #BooksAlive

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One of the best illustrations features the main character with “purple polka-dotted lips.” That was the inspiration for the recipe I’m sharing today: purple polka-dotted cream cheese sugar cookies.

"I Like Myself" book and fun recipe to make with your kids via @PagingSupermom #BooksAlive

Cream Cheese Cookie recipe via @PagingSupermom

These cookies are as cheerful and happy and “look at me, I’m awesome” as the character in the book. Plus, due to the nature of sprinkles falling this way and that, each one is unique. In fact, this recipe is a bit unique in that most cream cheese sugar cookie recipes call for less cream cheese and add an egg (or egg yolk), almond extract and even cream of tartar. Try this one and see what you think. I find these cookies a bit easier and my kids love them just like they love this book.

"I Like Myself" book and fun recipe to make with your kids via @PagingSupermom #BooksAlive

Embrace your purple polka-dottedness, and let’s promise each other to teach our children to do the same.

Purple Polka-Dotted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 can vanilla frosting (or a half batch of my favorite homemade vanilla buttercream frosting)
  • Red and blue food coloring
  • Polka-dot sprinkles
  • Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl on medium speed until creamy.
  • Add flour, baking soda and salt; mix well.
  • Scoop rounded tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet; gently flatten using the bottom of a glass or your fingers.
  • Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges start turning a light golden brown.
  • Cool completely before frosting.
  • Add red and blue food coloring to frosting in a ratio of 5 blue to 5 red until you get the color you desire. Mix well.
  • Frost cookies and add sprinkles. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days.
  • Cream Cheese Cookie recipe via @PagingSupermom

    When Emily Hill isn’t stepping on LEGOs or duct taping kids to the ceiling, she entertains—and tempts—readers on her lifestyle blog, Is This Really My Life. She currently works as the Director of Education for Snap. In her spare time she’s a freelance copywriter and editor. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Snapchat (emihillofficial).

    Sometimes Supermom

    Administrator at Paging Supermom
    No one can be super all the time, but we each have our moments. PagingSupermom.com is dedicated to making and sharing “Supermom Moments” — those little successes of motherhood!

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