Highlights for Children articles from December 2005

Highlights for Children archives from December 2005

Carol of the Brown King.(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Carol of the Brown King Of the three Wise Men Who came to the King, One was a brown man, So they sing. Of the three Wise Men Who followed the Star, One was a brown king From afar. They brought...

Find the pictures.(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Can you find each of these pictures at another place in this book? [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Dear readers.(Editorial)
December 1, 2005... I laughed out loud when I read "Bark! The Herald Angels Sing" on pages 38 and 39. It reminded me of pageants I took part in when I was a kid. No matter how much we practiced, our pageants never seemed to go exactly according to the scripts....

Look! An inuksuk: these stone messenger have ancient beginnings.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... You are walking in a vast, snowy landscape. There is no path to follow and no trees or hills to mark a trail. The wind is up, and daylight is low. You wonder if you have lost your way. In the distance, you see a pile of big stones. One...

Red-crab invasion! Once a year, they crawl all over the place.
December 1, 2005... Millions of bright-red land crabs scuttle out of the rain forest and pour down the mountainside, like lava from a volcano. Several crusty critters visit Stephanie Howard's home. Some hide behind her bookcase. Others rest next to her bed. An...

Sign language.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Sign language is thought to be the fourth-most-used language in the United States. Many people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing often use sign language to communicate. Here are two signs you can learn. Dog Slap your leg and then snap...

Portrait studio.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Sit in front of a mirror with some paper and a pencil, and draw yourself. Then color your drawing. You can do a family portrait, too. First, draw yourself in the center of the page while you're looking in the mirror. Look at photographs of...

Matching.(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Look at each airplane on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The Bear family.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... Woozy: Piddy's making noises while I practice, Dad. Piddy: Her playing hurts my ears. Poozy: Why the long face, Piddy? Piddy: I said Woozy's piano practicing hurt my ears. Dad gave me a time-out. Piddy: I'm sorry I teased you....

Miss Perfect.(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... Kim grabbed her backpack as the school bell rang. "Oh! One more thing!" Mrs. Jones stopped the fourth-graders before they bolted out the door. "I was supposed to tell you this morning--the Dine Culture Committee is sponsoring an essay...

Spin, little driedel.
December 1, 2005... Can you think of a holiday with its own special game? Hanukkah falls in late November or December. Jewish children around the world play a Hanukkah game with a spinning top called a dreidel. Dreidel is a word that means "turn." A dreidel...

At the bird feeder.(Hidden Pictures[R])(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... In this big picture, find the ring, handbell, sock, football, thimble, candle, mitten, needle, heart, crown, teacup, pin, spatula, ax, and crescent moon. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Riddles.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. In mathematics, what is the law of the doughnut? Justin Gasper, Kentucky 2. What do ducks hang up for the holidays? Emma Nelson, North Dakota 3. Why did Milly spill the glass of water? Amrit Deol, Nevada 4. What...

Whose boots?(Riddles)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Whose Boots? I had a pair of boots last spring. I put those boots away. But now the snow has come again. I need those boots for play. Please tell that to the pesky mice-- I think I counted nine! Who've made...

Dan Jansen: in quest of gold: would he ever win an Olympic medal?
December 1, 2005... It was supposed to be the happiest day of Dan Jansen's life. He was at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, and he was hoping to win the 500-meter speed-skating race. But his day started with bad news. At six o'clock that morning,...

Hair control.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... How do you make hair gel? Mason Bivins, Age 5 Georgia The key ingredient is a special kind of plastic, known by the letters PVP. This plastic is a good choice because it can be dissolved in water. That means it can be easily...

Why knuckles crack.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... If you bend your finger back, why does your knuckle crack? Joshua Bundy, Age 7 North Carolina In a knuckle joint, the rounded ends of two bones come together. They are covered with cartilage so that they can easily slip back and...

Faraway moon.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... How high is the Moon? Stephanie Denis, Age 7 New York Sometimes the Moon is a little farther away than at other times, since its orbit is not quite a perfect circle. On average, it is about 240,000 miles away. If we tried to drive...

Abdul Hafiz: there's some of Goofus and Gallant in us all. When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.(Gallant Kids)(Eibs Pond)
December 1, 2005... Eibs Pond on Staten Island, New York, wasn't always pretty. People used to dump garbage there illegally. But the dumping is over. Abdul Hafiz, who recently turned thirteen, has played a big role in making the park beautiful. "Now it looks...

Anniversary necklaces.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... On my mom and dad's anniversary I made them each a homemade necklace out of some of my yarn. They were just crocheted the day before, and my mom and dad really liked them! They still wear them sometimes. Peter Turdo, Age 8 Missouri

Crusty, creamy and sweet.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best homemade gift is something crusty. It's sugary, with creamy cream. It's filled with ripe peaches. Just need flour and a few eggs. Throw in some sugar and a little bit of cream cheese. Put it in the oven until it's golden brown. So this...

The cloth of the earth.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Our grandmother gave us the night sky, the grass, the ground, and the grain of the earth. All these keep us warm at night. Can you guess this riddle? The simple answer: a quilt. Each of us has one, and the only difference is the spacing of the...

Christmas, Turkey plate.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... On Christmas last year I had a party at my nene's house, and there were games, foods, and drinks. It was present time, and you will not believe what I saw. My three-year-old cousin made a plate for me. It had a turkey and a flower on it. She...

Seashell jewelry box.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best gift I've given was a jewelry box I made. I gave it to my best friend's mother. To make it, I used only thin cardboard and glue. Then I decorated it with ribbons and shells I found all over the beach. My favorite shells were whole...

Memories from Field Day.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best homemade gift I ever received was when I was sick on Homeschool Field Day. They all made me a book of what happened, and I still have it. Catie McDonnell, Age 10 Kentucky

A family storybook.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best homemade gilt I ever got was a storybook about my family from my grandma. It has pictures and stories about everyone in my family, even my mom and grandma when they were little. I like to look at it before bed. It makes me feel close...

Locks of love.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I think the best gift I have ever given is my hair. About a year ago I donated 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that uses donated hair to make wigs for people who have lost their hair after cancer treatments. I...

A new drum.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My friend Alexis used to have a drum, but it got squished. She was crying when that happened. I wanted her to be happy again. I used two paper plates and tape to make a drum filled with beads, so it made a drumming sound. I used colored pencils...

A glittery gift.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My best homemade gift was given to my morn and dad. You will need a bottle, glitter, and water. Fill the bottle three fourths with water. Then put glitter in it. Shake it up, and then you are done. That is how you make water and glitter in a...

A boat for daddy.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I made a boat out of wood scraps from Uncle Ed. I started it on Halloween at Mom-Mom's house. When Daddy came in, I got Pop-Pop Ed to hide it. At Christmas, I told Daddy to close his eyes, and Pop-Pop went to get the boat. At first, he forgot...

A little clay horse.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My best homemade gift was for my Uncle Byron. It was a little brown clay horse lying down. It had a white mane and tail. It also had an orange halter. I made it, then wrapped it in a small box and gave it to him for his birthday. Hannah...

Welcome home.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best handmade gift I have ever made was a pillow. It was shaped like a dog. I had made it in sewing class. I made it for my sister as a welcome-home present. She had been gone for seven weeks. I think she likes it because she sleeps with it...

Space candy.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best homemade gift I have ever given was a gumdrop astronaut. He had a large white gumdrop for a helmet, six orange gumdrops for his suit, and four purple gumdrops for his boots and gloves. It was stuck together with toothpicks, and he was...

A joyful reminder.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My favorite homemade gift is my picture book from my dad in Canada. This is my favorite gift because I love my dad and because it is full of pictures of him. They remind me of the times we spent joyfully with each other. It doesn't just show...

Projects with dad.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My best homemade gift was a birdhouse. I built it with my dad. We do things like that every month. So many birds came that we had to build a second house! Three birds decided to stay. Two built nests on branches, and one built one on the...

Gingerbread house.(Best Homemade Gifts)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... The best homemade gift I gave someone was a homemade gingerbread house. My auntie loved it. She ate it all up, and she had chocolate all over her mouth. Then she said, "Thank you." Jorian Anderson, Age 7 Georgia

Snow music.(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... "Ah," said Snowman. "I love the snow swirling around, silver and white." "The snow is beautiful," said Cardinal. "I like the music," said Owl. He hummed along. "Dum DUM de DUM." Cardinal joined in. "Dum DUM de DUM, da DUM de de."...

Shed some light.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... The red wire has one loose end. To make the light come on when the switch is closed, where should that end be connected--point A, B, or C? ANSWERS: Shed Some Light--Point A. Electricity must make a complete circle, or circuit, to...

Water's disappearing act.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Put a tablespoon of water into each of two saucers, then cover one saucer with plastic wrap. Set the saucers in a warm place, such as a sunny windowsill. What happens to the water over the next few days? Water's Disappearing Act The...

Riddle.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... What dinosaur sings? Danny Danbury, Age 9 Indiana Answer: A raptor

I wonder ... why that vulture doesn't flap its wings.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Sometimes it does flap its wings. But it knows how to find little winds that blow upward. Then it can glide. That's easier than flapping, and the vulture can do it all day. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dino days.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Were some dinosaurs happy? Marylen Kennedy, Age 6 Georgia It's hard to know what emotions animals have. We do know that gorillas sometimes feel sad. Some have told us so in sign language. But dinosaurs weren't as brainy as...

Goofus and Gallant[R].(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Goofus lets his friends talk him into making bad decisions. "We'd better tell Mr. Singh that the machine is broken." "I wish she would hurry up." Gallant takes a few deep breaths when he feels impatient. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Hare to hair.(synonyms, homophones)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Find the word that doesn't fit. Replace it with a word that means the same thing (a synonym). Then think of a word that sounds the same but is spelled differently (a homophone) and fits the sentence. Example: Did you comb your rabbit?...

Jet Plane.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Jet Plane When I went outside, I saw something in the air. It was a jet plane, writing something in the air. It was as if the jet plane was a pencil writing on the sky, which was the paper. ...

The Wind and Sun.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... The Wind and Sun How does the wind fly free? Free as the birds it carries along, twisting and singing its whistling song, rustling the leaves on the ancient oak tree-- How does the wind fly free? ...

Penny the Dog.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Penny the Dog. Penny's scared of storms Runs to the barn to hide out Feels protected there Paul Knable, Age 12 Minnesota

Where Poetry Hides.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Where Poetry Hides Poetry hides in birds when they whistle, Or when your shadow walks right where you are standing. A poem hides in your feelings when you are in different moods, Or when the Sun is...

My Lucky Fishing Poem.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... My Lucky Fishing Poem When you get a pull, it's time to reel, And you might catch a pretty eel. When you get a jerk, it's time to lurch. And you might catch a pretty perch. If the fish don't bite when you cast...

The Colors of My Day.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... The Colors of My Day Part of me is glowing purple-- active and excited, energetic and joyful, riding a horse and playing with friends. But deep inside there is another part-- small, pink, like a rose in a...

A bird cannot fly past the Sun.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... A bird cannot fly past the Sun. The Earth cannot reach for the stars. But love can go farther. Believe in love! Hunter Solheim, Age 8 Colorado

Snowflakes.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Snowflakes Snowflakes, like flowers blooming, Snowflakes, like little stars in the sky, Snowflakes, oh, snowflakes. Melissa Crombie, Age 9 Ohio

Clang, Clang, Bang, Bang!(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Clang, Clang, Bang, Bang! Clang, clang, bang, bang! Crash the pots and pans. banging them together with grubby, chubby hands. Of all the world's musicians. my favorite is no other than the little maestro ...

Bedtime.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... Bedtime I go to bed at 9:00 P.M. and can't wait to get up and play. But when the clock goes off in the morning, it's in bed I want to stay. Jamie Asofsky, Age 10 New York

My Horsey Wish.(Your Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
December 1, 2005... My Horsey Wish I wish I had a horsey with a neigh-neigh-neigh. If I had a horsey I'd ride it all day. Claire Clevenger, Age 5 Missouri

Santa in Cyprus: every year, Alexis looks forward to New Year's Eve and the arrival of Ayios Vassilis, or Saint Basil.
December 1, 2005... It's Christmas morning, and Alexis isn't surprised that there aren't any presents under the tree. No, he hasn't been naughty this year. Turning on the Christmas-tree lights, he flops onto the couch to wait for the rest of the family to...

A cold wind blows.(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... Cat sits on the porch. A cold wind blows. Cat sees four birds on a wire. The birds sit close together and fluff their feathers. Cat watches leaves fly down the street. Two boys run by. Their noses are red, and their breath comes out in...

The school cafeteria is crowded today.(Thinking)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... * Who is a visitor? * How are kids helping their guests? * Who has spilled something? What will happen next? * What foods make a healthy lunch? * What do you like to eat for lunch? * How is eating at school different from...

Keep the beat with a Kwanzaa drum.(Rhythm Makers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. Glue colored paper around an empty oatmeal container. Decorate it with the colors of Kwanzaa: red, black, and green. Cut out shapes to symbolize the earth's bounty, and glue them on. 2. Put the lid on top, and use your hands to keep...

Shake to celebrate.(Rhythm Makers)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. Decorate an empty plastic spice jar with colored paper and paint. Let it dry. 2. Fill the jar halfway with dried beans, seeds, or rice. Each filling makes a different sound. 3. You're ready to shake! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Round up some reindeer napkin rings.(Crafts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. For the reindeer's head cut a 4-inch-wide heart from brown felt. Glue on a red felt nose and wiggle eyes. 2. Fold a 9-inch strip or red or gold felt in half. Starting at the fold, draw an antler, with the base at the fold. Cut it out....

These cards are ready to mail.(Crafts)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. Fold a sheet of construction paper into thirds. Cut 3 inches from the width. (When folded, the paper should measure about 6 inches by 4 inches.) 2. Trim the top third to look like an envelope flap. 3. Glue a piece of light-colored...

Decorate with a Christmas angel.(You Can Make)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. For the head, cut one cup from an egg carton, and paint it. Let it dry. Add facial features with wiggle eyes and markers, 2. Use a pen to poke a hole in the top of the head. Knot one end of a piece of cord or yarn, and pull the other end...

Play balloon ball!(You Can Make)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... 1. Remove the label from a clean plastic 2-liter bottle. With an adult's help, cut off the bottom of' the bottle. 2. Tape three different colors of paper to the bottle where the label once was. Each piece of paper should measure about 5 1/2...

Will Emma ever sleep?(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... Parker went to bed every night at eight-thirty. He got up every morning at six-thirty. He only woke up in the middle of the night if he had a bad dream or if he felt sick. But he hardly ever had bad dreams or felt sick. Then Parker's baby...

Jokes.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Santa Claus was confused when he found three red-nosed reindeer as he prepared his sleigh. "What's this?" he asked Mrs. Claus. "Oh, dear," she said. "It looks like Dancer and Prancer have been into my cherry cobbler again." ...

Brain play.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Start at the begging and see how far you can go, thinking of good answer from your own head. What would happen if lollipops didn't have sticks? Say "I know" as if you feel impatient; as if you feel sad; as if you feel excited. Why...

Bark! The Herald Angels Sing.(Short Story)
December 1, 2005... Now didn't seem like the best time for Max to tell Mandy that a goat had eaten her director's notes. Not while she was yelling about the animals that were missing from the garage. The only trace of the goats and sheep was a bowl of sheep...

The timbertoes[R].(Brief Article)(Illustration)
December 1, 2005... Pa heard music. "Were you making music?" "Not me" Ma said. "Were you making music?" "I was making a bridge." "I was making fudge." Was it Spot? No, he was sleeping. They followed the sound. It was...

Making candy sparks.(Try This!)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... What You'll Need * help from an adult * Wint-O-Green Lifesavers * a clear sandwich bag * pliers * a dark room, such as a windowless bathroom, where the air is dry, not humid What to Do 1. Put a Lifesaver into...

Sister upset.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... When I accidentally open my mouth while I chew, my sister says, "You're opening your mouth!" Then she demonstrates faces that I don't really make. What should I do? Yurie M., California It's not unusual for sisters and brothers to...

Starting a club.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Every time I start a club, my friends don't like it. What should I do? Hans W., Georgia It's great that you want to start a club, Hans. Perhaps your friends would be more interested if all of you started the club as a group. Ask...

New baby in the family.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I am going to have a baby brother or sister, and everyone tells me that it will be annoying. What should I do? Daneasha B., Ontario Try talking to your parents about this. They will be able to give you an idea of what to expect when...

How do you know all that stuff?(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... How did you learn all the stuff in the magazine? Serena R., British Columbia People from all over the world write stories and articles for us on almost every subject you could imagine. As editors, we choose the stories and articles we...

Bustle at the BusyLot.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... The BusyLot is bustling with busy shoppers--and with activities for you to do: 1. Find the path that will take Chester Cat (in the ten-gallon hat) and his cart to his convertible. 2. There are five sets of matching items in this scene....