Creative Kids articles from December 2008

Creative Kids archives from December 2008

CK gallery.
December 22, 2008... Mary and Richard were both thinking of winter when they created the artwork on this page. Thanks to both of them for submitting their great work! [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Mary Kavonian, 16, Los Angeles, CA [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Haikus on a Snow Day.(Poem)
December 22, 2008... Haikus on a Snow Day The sun shines brightly. Snow in the afternoon air. Slowly, quietly. Trees sway in the wind, Nothing but dark brown branches. The wind is so cold. The sun, oh so warm! But, the...

Fom the editor.(Editorial)
December 22, 2008... Winter is here, and with it, more time to stay inside and curl up with this issue of Creative Kids! When you're looking for ways to get rid of those winter blues or pass yet another snow day, think about submitting work to Creative Kids....

God cud?
December 22, 2008... Got Cud? A farmer who lived in Seville, Had a cow who could not eat her fill. She'd eat and she'd crunch. She'd slurp and she'd munch. Which cost him a rather large bill. Luke Rahtjen, 13 Glen...

The power of volunteering.(WRITE ON)(Letter to the editor)
December 22, 2008... Are there times when you need help with a certain task? At some point, everyone needs help and sometimes teenagers can be the best people to help others with the jobs they need to complete. I believe that teenagers should volunteer their time...

Pile of coins.(SCIENCE & MATH CORNER)
December 22, 2008... Problem: There is a pile of coins, as shown in Figure 1. In this pile, there are 100 heads-side-up coins. The number of tails-side-up coins is unknown. The coins are mixed together. You must divide these coins into two piles. You cannot look at...

Hearts Are Not Ticklish.(Brief article)(Book review)
December 22, 2008... In the book Hearts Are Not Ticklish by Rich Baron, a story is told about a 10-year-old girl, Kookaburra, and the strict society that she lives in, called Desmonia. In Desmonia, people always follow the rules. They have "The Everything Book"...

Ancient Sumerian cuneiform cylinder seal.(DIY: Do-It-Yourself)(Brief article)
December 22, 2008... At the birth of civilization more than 5,000 years ago, the Ancient Sumerians used a cylindrical seal as a kind of identification on documents and letters. each family's seal was different. Making your own seal is not that difficult, and it is...

Artwork.
December 22, 2008... Amy Chen, 11 Lake Oswego, OR [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Cayli Graham, 12 Ogden, IA [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The way we work.(David Macaulay)(Interview)
December 22, 2008... The world of literature for children and young adults has been hallmarked by everything from fantasy to historical adventure. And yet, science has been gaining ground in bookstores with works such as those of David Macaulay. Mr. Macaulay is a...

Amour de la vie (love of life).(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was a dark November night. The wind howled against the trees, and the rain beat on the cold windows of my house in a steady rhythm. But, despite the depressing weather, I felt warm inside. We had special...

The trip.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The day's tensions were high as we started loading the ships. The other sailors, Governor Jen, Recorder C. J., and Master Trader Julia would not listen to Banker Ben and I as we tried to convince them that we did not...

The bookstore of mystery.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... Harry Heavenate was 10 and lived in London. He loved to read and always had his face covered by a book, especially fantasy books. So, when Fred's Fantastic Fantasies Plus opened in London, he had to check it out. As soon as the school bell rang...

Where is the snow?(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... A little town lay nestled in between two mountains. The wind howled and whistled through the village, but no snow came. The days went on, and it began to get colder. There was no sign of snow to be found. Then one day a group of travelers...

Dancing in the rain.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... I'm generally a calm person. I listen to jazz (my dad says it's brainy music), I like the sound of rain, and I love to write. But, I once thought I was a loudmouthed, talkative, and hyperactive person. One day I discovered I had two sides: my...

Binky's thanksgiving.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... It was a special day for the Gobble family: Tomorrow was Thanksgiving and there were lots of things to do to get ready! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Binky, the youngest turkey in the family, had been saving a special surprise for his Papa...

On Mary Lou's Lap.(Prose)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... On Mary Lou's Lap At my grandma's house One Christmas Eve The ground covered in snow, My sister and I Sit in our room, Trying to pass the time. We run to the adults. "Mary Lou! Mary Lou!" "Tell us a...

The Island of Pugs.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... It was a foggy, gray morning. I awoke clutching a piece of driftwood. The storm the night before had left the S.S. Marina shipwrecked, and I was one of the few survivors. Shading my eyes, I could just make out an island in the distance. I began...

Slick: sometimes an adventure can be seriously dangerous, and sometimes it can be entertaining and fun. But, the mission Slick takes in this story is very risky--one wrong move and he's toast!(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "What is it Master C?" Slick asked over the shrieking alarm system installed in his treehouse. "Spy agent Slick, there's a problem at the nuclear bomb center. Captain Devil has stolen enough nuclear gas to launch...

Brother for Sale: 10 Cents.(Prose)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... Brother for Sale: 10 Cents Brother for sale, brother for sale! What a nice day to buy a brother! Along comes a family with 11 children, "Hey, why not buy another?" "Not today," the lady said. "No, no, no!" rang in...

Clara's angel.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I prepared a box to pack my doll in, but hesitantly. I still wasn't ready to put her away. As I set her in the pink shoebox surrounded by a sea of white tissue paper, this image, this action, brought a memory to my...

The oak tree.(Prose)(Short story)
December 22, 2008... I was buried on November 11, 1887 by the soft hands of a child so young she felt like a mere baby. As my smooth skin touched the soil, my shell dug deep into the soft warm earth. It felt like I was at the very center of the sun's core. Steamy...

Chain link.(Prose)(Brief article)
December 22, 2008... Directions: Start with the first clue, then use the last two letters of that answer to start the next answer. 1. A yellow frui 2. Sleep in the day 3. A red fruit 4. A tart summer drink 5. What you put your books in at...

Stickler.(Prose)
December 22, 2008... Connect the letters, starting at the first quotation mark, and ending at the second quotation mark, to find a famous saying. Your lines cannot cross one another! A Famous reprimand: Answer Key Stickler, from p. 28 "Think...

Asian country: word find.(Games)
December 22, 2008... Directions: Find the words by looking forward, backward, vertically, horizontally, and diagonally. Words: Afghanistan China Azerbaijan India Uzbekistan Nepal Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan russia ...

The Sunrise.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... The Sunrise The sun is gone,over skies a full black cloak is spread. Infinite dreams sparkle and sing in our heads. Night is here, darkness present. Day, dissolved its light so pleasant. Silver-outlined...

Imagination.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... Imagination Thick layers of inky blackness pile up and veils of quiet fall over all. Midnight comes, and goes. Everything seems frozen in time, for just one moment fear, worry, and sorrow are gone. I slip into a...

My Windows.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... My Windows They say that eyes are the windows to the soul. Here's what you'll see in mine. A burst of color A spark of light A wind's new song A bird's first flight Come look inside my windows. ...

Scarlet Distraction.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... Scarlet Distraction Straight from the pages of Bird Vogue--Regal wings washed in cranberry, The royal crest of crimson plumage, Lady talons with so-high heels, Dark cinnamon sheen, The aloof cardinal is the...

In Tune.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... In Tune Musical notes, Fly off the strings, As the bow dances And instrument sings. The instrument's voice, Sings high and then low. As the bow's dance, Goes fast and then slow. Together they...

The Soul Sacrifice.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... The Soul Sacrifice Once a peaceful family, Content and together, Found heartbreaking news In the newly arrived letter. "You have been called to war...." "Goodbye," he finally said. And his wife cried many...

I.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... I I am trustworthy and vigorous. I wonder about aliens. I hear lions roaring. I see a tsunami's effects. I want the world to be peaceful. I am trustworthy and vigorous. I pretend to see a tornado. I...

All the World's a Stage.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... All the World's a Stage For the wind dancing in the trees And the wheat fields taking a bow with the breeze For the snowflakes twirling and leaping in a ballet For the colors of the sunset putting on a display ...

In the Background.(Poetry)(Poem)
December 22, 2008... In the Background I try to concentrate, but I can't. The noise is piercing, an intolerable drone. My ears start to ring and try to shut; But it is impossible. The nonintended fire drill Blaring. Then the...

My summer in Japan.(Poetry)(Brief article)
December 22, 2008... The Asia/Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) is a program that promotes global awareness and cultural understanding. For the past 19 summers in July, the city of Fukuoka, Japan hosts hundreds of 11-year-old kids from Pacific Rim countries and...