Indulge in a yummy baked snack and let this month’s story assure you that you’re not alone in parenting active kids!

Grumpy Monkey Spring Fever
by Suzanne Lang
Children often have pent-up energy that can become challenging to direct—particularly after many days of colder, darker weather.
This adorable story has colorful illustrations that match its energy. It celebrates the welcoming of spring while exploring the bottled-up feelings of spring fever!
Join Jim as his jungle friends help him communicate, express and release his energy in healthy and creative ways, ultimately remedying the issue without squelching Jim’s spirit.

Easy Banana Monkey Bread
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients:
1 T. ground cinnamon
2 (16-oz.) tubes buttermilk biscuit dough, cut into quarter-pieces
2 large ripe bananas, chopped
1/2 c. butter (1 stick)
1/2 c. maple syrup
1 t. vanilla
1/4 c. honey
1/2 c. chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375°.
- Grease a Bundt (or 9 x 9) pan.
- Melt butter in a large glass bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients (except the biscuit dough) to the bowl and mix well.
- Layer half of the biscuit pieces evenly in the bottom of pan.
- Spread half of the mixture from the glass bowl onto the dough pieces.
- Place remaining dough pieces on top of first layer, then cover with remaining mixture from the glass bowl.
- Bake for 35–45 minutes, until golden.
- Cool for 10 minutes, then dump Bundt pan upside down onto a dinner plate or platter and enjoy!
Alicia Mock operates Adventure Arts Academy for 3–5-year-olds from her home in Overland Park. She also offers one-on-one parent coaching. She’s a musical theater enthusiast, singer, writer and promoter of all things positive. She was recently widowed from her husband, Cary, and their four almost-flown children are her greatest treasures.