Ways to encourage kids to love reading and writing

Reading and writing go hand in hand. As your school-age children develop their reading skills, the world of creative writing usually opens up to them simultaneously.

Foster your kids' interest in writing with these five activities. Not only will you be reinforcing the writing skills they are developing in school (including extra practice in the art of penmanship), but you'll be sharing in the creative process. Keep in mind that your encouragement and enthusiasm will boost their efforts.

1. Design and write creative "thank you" postcards for gifts received and outings enjoyed. Purchase pre-stamped plain postcards at your local U.S. post office for 38 cents. Decorate the plain side with 1-inch square images of the gifts received or experiences shared. Cut the squares from saved ticket stubs, brochures, catalogs and magazines. Arrange and glue them in a row.

Draw a vertical line down the center of the stamped side. Write a thank-you note on the left half, and the recipient's address on the right.

1. Make a set of colorful notecards to have on hand for writing to friends and relatives any time of year. They'll be especially fun to send, because your kids can decorate them themselves.

Purchase a box of plain, inexpensive note cards and matching envelopes in favorite colors at a craft or discount store. Use rubber stamps and a stamp pad for illustrating the front of the card. Tie the note cards and envelopes together with a ribbon and store them in a box or drawer together with postage stamps and a favorite pen.

1. Write a few sentences about the family pet and illustrate it. If your family doesn't have a pet, write an imaginary story/adventure about a favorite stuffed animal, doll or action figure.

2. Write new words to a favorite familiar song and sing the rendition, or write a joke and share it with the family at dinnertime.

3. Write a grocery list together, and shop for the items, checking them off the list as you go. If your child has a kids' cookbook, include the ingredients for a new recipe you later prepare together.

Apple rose dessert

Apple roses have been in bloom all over Pinterest and cooking sites. The techniques creatively transform apples, puff pastry, spices and preserves into a whimsical rose-shaped dessert.

I've come up with a fun step-by-step version that you and your kids can use to make six roses together. A highlight during the prep is sharing the moment of surprise when you roll up the lined apple slices on a strip of dough and transform it into a rose shape. "Wow, look at this!" your kids might exclaim, as they set it in the muffin tin. "It really looks like a rose!"

1 frozen puff pastry sheet, thawed and cold, such as Pepperidge Farm brand

2 medium apples with reddish skin

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon apricot or peach preserves, mixed with 1 teaspoon water

Cinnamon and sugar (optional)

Powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 375 F.

2. Grease a six-cup muffin pan. (Or, for easier removal of roses, grease sides and cut parchment paper to fit the bases of the pan.)

3. Slice apples in half from top to bottom. Core. Place halves cut side down on cutting board sideways, in front of you. Slice each apple half thinly to make about 15 equal length slices resembling a half moon shape.

4. Toss slices in a bowl of lemon juice mixed with ¼-cup water. Microwave for 2 1/2 minutes until pliable but not too soft. If you don't have a microwave, add water and simmer briefly in a pan. Remove apples and pat dry.

5. On a lightly floured board, roll out one puff pastry to form a 10-by-12-inch rectangle. Let your child measure with a ruler and cut six 10-by-2-inch strips with a pizza cutter. Use a pastry brush to spread a thin layer of the jam mixture on the upper half of each pastry strip.

6. To form each rose, arrange about 10 apple slices across the top half of the pastry strip, overlapping them as you go. The top rounded edge with skin should extend about a 1/4 inch above the dough. Sprinkle lightly with cinnamon and sugar, if you wish.

7. Gently lift the bottom half of the dough over the top. Roll up the strip, keeping apple slices tucked in; pinch the edge into the dough, and set in a muffin cup.

8. Bake for 45 minutes. Cool on wire rack and serve warm or at room temperature. Set roses on small plates and dust with powdered sugar. For an extra treat, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce.

TIP: This recipe works equally well with firm pears. Cut the slices from the plump portion of the fruit. Instead of apricot jam, you might try fig spread.

Donna Erickson's award-winning series "Donna's Day" is airing on public television nationwide. To find more of her creative family recipes and activities, visit www.donnasday.com and link to the new Donna's Day Facebook fan page. Her latest book is "Donna Erickson's Fabulous Funstuff for Families." (c) 2016 Donna Erickson. Distributed by King Features Synd.