Highlights for Children articles from February 2005

Highlights for Children archives from February 2005

River Reed.(Poem)
February 1, 2005... River Reed In a time without music the Cave Boy stood by a murmuring stream in a whispering wood, and he heard the sounds of that lonely place near the hazel's beauty and willow's grace. He plucked...

Find the pictures.
February 1, 2005... Can you find each of these pictures at another place in this book? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dear readers.
February 1, 2005... Dear Readers, I know that Abraham Lincoln was the tallest American President. He stood six feet four inches tall! I also know that he was the first President in the White House to wear a beard and that he was the first one to appear on a...

Flip for a story: what kind of book uses the flick of a thumb to tell a story? A flip book!(learn to make a flip book)
February 1, 2005... A flip book is a picture story that moves when you flip through its pages. The secret to making a flip book is knowing how to space the pictures on the pages. You'll need blank index cards 1 lined index card markers pencil...

The Valentine prank.(Short Story)
February 1, 2005... "Where could he be?" I wondered aloud. Recess was almost over. Normally, I didn't bother to keep track of Michael Peterson. Normally, I tried to ignore him. But today was special. Today was Valentine's Day. No way was I going to let...

Good morning!(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... With two eggs... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With two eggs and half a banana .. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With two eggs, half a banana, and two ripe strawberries... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With two eggs, half a banana, two...

Hidden letters.
February 1, 2005... You can often read feelings by studying faces. Unscramble the letters that make up each facial expression, and discover the feeling hidden in each face. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ANSWERS: From left to right, top row: angry,...

Goofus and Gallant[R].
February 1, 2005... Goofus quickly hangs up when he's reached the wrong number. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Oh, excuse me. I must have dialed the wrong number. Sorry to have bothered you." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Oh no! I still have six more problems...

Ducklings come home to Boston.
February 1, 2005... What has eighteen legs, shines in the sun, and loves children? A set of eight bronze duckling statues with their mother, that's what! They are made for hugging, climbing on, and "feeding." They were created by the sculptor Nancy Schon...

He even kissed a pig: Cullinan would almost anything to cure diabetes.
February 1, 2005... Eleven-year-old Cullinan Williams has done some amazing things. He's spoken with members of Congress and former President Bill Clinton. He's raised more than $40,000 going door-to-door. He's even kissed a pig! It hasn't always been easy....

Go-cart racers.(Hidden Pictures[R])
February 1, 2005... In this big picture find the golf club, jump, candle, mallet, slice of piel, mushroom, safety pin, ring, pushpin, sppon, magic wand, and peice of cake. Can you find these Hidden Pictures[R] on paqe 14? safety-pin [ILLUSTRATION...

How do you know ...
February 1, 2005... that it is a cold day? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] that the girl has practice hard? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] that these girl are friends? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] that lunch will soon be served? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Riddles.
February 1, 2005... 1. What did the bee say when it was working very hard? Luke Murphy, New York 2. How do you make a hot dog stand? Liat Stevenfeld, Florida 3. What do you call an elephant in a phone booth? Hillary Lowery, Alabama 4....

Saving Felix.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I ever did was crawl under the house (full of worms) to save a small kitten we later named Felix. He was white with many large black spots. When I was under the house, my heart was pounding so hard that it pounds while I think...

A wild ride.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I have ever done is ride a bull. I was scared. I have ridden them a lot. Most of the time I am not scared except when the bull is really big. Austin Lyons, Age 9 Florida

No more night-light.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I have done is sleep without a night-light. I am not afraid of the dark. Emma Goodman, Age 5 Michigan

An exciting experiment.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I've ever done was to burn metal in science school. I thought it was scary at first. Sparks flew and sometimes flames came out, so we had to be very careful. I liked doing it. My science teacher said we could do more...

A voyage to remember.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I've ever done was to go on the Viking Voyager, a water ride that goes fast and high. It looked scary, and I thought it was going to make us soaking wet. My dad, uncle, and cousin wanted to try it. We started climbing--up, up,...

Being the new guy.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... I live in a military family. That means that we move every two or three years. Every time I move, I have to make new friends and be the new guy at school, in the neighborhood, and on the sports team. And I think that takes a lot of courage. ...

A loose costume.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I ever did was to perform in an Egyptian play. When the day came, we did everything right until my kilt almost fell off. I got nervous, but then I got my courage back and finished the play. Kevin Vega, Age 11 ...

Shaky fingers.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I've ever done was playing in my first band concert. It was hard to play my flute when I was trying not to laugh and when my fingers were shaking. Brandi Hart, Age 11 Ohio

Speaking to the whole school.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I have done was telling my whole school at an assembly how great Chinese New Year is. Two other classmates did it with me. I had to talk on the microphone, dress in nice clothes, and everything. This was tough for me because I...

Sticking up for a friend.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... One of the bravest things I've ever done was sticking up for my friend Anna. I told the boy who was teasing her to quit. It was tough for me because I'm a very shy person. Tiffany Eubanks, Age 9 Georgia

Scary and fun.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I did was to go on a roller coaster, it was scary and fun at the same time. Artem Fursenko, Age 9 New York

Without goggles.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... When I swim, I never forget goggles because I am afraid to get water in my eyes. One time, my family was having fun at the pool. Suddenly, I heard my little sister calling for help. I saw her trying to surface for air in the deep water....

A trip to China.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I ever did was to go to China to get my little adopted brother from the orphanage. It was a hard decision because I had to go overseas where there are different people, customs, and languages. It took me some courage to go on...

First flip.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Doing my first flip on the monkey bars was the bravest thing I have ever done. Kelly Johnson, Age 7 Florida

Brave enough to race.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I did was running my first race at the track meet. It took courage, even though I had been practicing a lot for the 1,500-meter race. It was tough for me because I didn't know if the other girls were going to beat me. I got...

Overcoming shyness.(The Bravest Thing)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The bravest thing I have ever done was when I told three stories from the Bible... in front of the whole church! I was so frightened that I thought about dropping out before we started. Why it was hard for me is because I have always been a...

Laugh with Lincoln: Abraham Lincoln was one funny President!
February 1, 2005... Did you know America had a President who was famous for playing pranks, making jokes, and telling riddles? Abraham Lincoln--the sixteenth President--had no need for comedy writers. He used his natural quick wit to make people laugh, and he...

The Timbertoes[R].
February 1, 2005... Pa was puzzled. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Today was a special day. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But what was it? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] He asked Ma. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She couldn't remember. [ILLUSTRATION...

Jokes.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A ham sandwich walks into a restaurant and says, "May I have some chili with cheese?" The waitress replies, "Sorry, we don't serve food here." Paige Haas, Oklahoma Knock, knock. Who's there? Isabel. Isabel who? Is a...

Matching.
February 1, 2005... Matching Look at each flag on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dear Alycia.
February 1, 2005... I have a problem. Actually, I have everybody's problems. I am the advice columnist, "Alycia, Everybody's Best Girlfriend," at my school newspaper, the Riverview Tattler. But here's my problem: My name isn't Alycia. In fact, I'm not even a...

Tornado of Papers.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Tornado of Papers A tornado of papers Scattered around the room, Leaving the room messy, Like old, old ruins, Wasting all the trees That could be useful-- All this information on the floor. How will I...

Oranges in a Bowl.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... Oranges in a Bowl [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Zachary Malis, Age 7 Arizona

The Mountains.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... The Mountains Mountains are so big-Giants covered in white snow. Mountains touch the sky. Harry Kelly Thornton, Age 6 Oregon

Kayaking.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Kayaking Gliding through the water over the depths of green. A shining bass jumps out of the water, its tail thrown high, surging down in the water again. Back to shore now. Brigie Fister, Age 7 ...

Sky Castle.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... Sky Castle [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jack Hodge, Age 7 New Mexico

Through a Poet's Eye.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Through a Poet's Eye If there is a moment precious to you, capture it on paper-- keep it always. If you do not, it will wither and die. But if you can catch it, it will live forever through a poet's...

Going Batty.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... Going Batty [ILLUSTRATTION OMITTED] Charmaine Li, Age 9 British Columbia

A Picture of Me.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... A Picture of Me [ILLUSTRATTION OMITTED] Taylor Hendrix, Age 11 South Carolina

Coming Home.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Coming Home Fast-moving cars. Lights of golden flashing colors, Of red and green. Lights on the stadium and bridges. How incredible the water looks in the beaming city lights. Katie Ellis, Age 10 ...

Angel in Heaven.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... Angel in Heaven [ILLUSTRATTION OMITTED] Elena Lloyd, Age 6 New Hampshire

Wind.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Wind Wind. It makes flowers blow. It's the breeze that cools you down on a hot summer day, wipes away the sweat on your face, carries your kite and the birds in the sky-wind does all these things ...

If the Leaf Calls Just to You.(Our Own Pages)(Brief Article)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... If the Leaf Calls Just to You If the leaf calls just to you Chase it Into the forest. Float through the air Until you can fly no more. The wind will pick you up again To drift back home. And when...

The Password to My Room.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... The Password to My Room My first is in sea, But not in ocean. My second is found Upside down inside motion. My third is found In freedom and born. My fourth is in race, Scar, and thorn. My fifth...

Peace Is a Chick Chirping.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Peace Is a Chick Chirping Peace is a chick chirping. Peace smells like pizza. Peace looks like the sun in the sky. Peace sounds like a violin, Like raindrops on the roof, Like someone nibbling. Peace is...

Our Cat, Queenie, Taking a Catnap.(Our Own Pages)
February 1, 2005... Our Cat, Queenie, Taking a Catnap Sophia Panaccione, Age 10 Connecticut

Tryouts.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Tryouts Stage, scripts Dreaming, fidgeting, anticipating Anxious, confident, willing, apprehensive Actor Stephen Raglow-DeFranco, Age 11 Ohio

Dog Cloud.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Dog Cloud I dash across the sky. Faster and faster I go. The plains flow quickly by. I chase the planes across the sky, And race the other clouds. Barrett Jay, Age 10 Virginia

Wavy ocean.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
February 1, 2005... Wavy ocean Wavy ocean Gives salty splashes To humans on the beach On a hot, sunny day. John Henry, Age 10 New Jersey

Thinking.
February 1, 2005... * Who are the actors in this play? What other jobs are necessary in order to put on a play? Could the play go on without the audience? * What might this play be about? * In what ways are a play and a movie alike? How are they...

Getting wet.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... How does it rain? Alexa Cohn, Age 8 Florida Rain always comes from a cloud. But something special must happen in a cloud to make rain. Most clouds are made of water droplets so small that they are easily held up by very weak air...

Muscles are machines.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... How do muscles work? Samuel Roman, Age 7 California A muscle can't push. It can only pull. But it's a great little machine that uses chemical energy to do work. And like all machines, it produces some heat as it works. That's why you...

Check ... and double check.
February 1, 2005... There are at least differences in these two pictures. How many can you find? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Permanent disaster.(Short Story)
February 1, 2005... Collie hurried into the Cat's Meow grooming salon. Tonight was Afghan's party. She wanted to look her best. Cat studied Collie's straight hair. "You need a permanent," he said. "The perfect hairstyle should frame your face and show off...

Make cupid's arrow valentines. . . (Quick crafts).
February 1, 2005... 1. Draw a heart and a feather on construction paper, and cut them out. 2. Cut two slits into each piece as shown. 3. Slide the heart and the feather onto opposite ends of a drinking straw. 4. Write a message across the arrow.

... And carry your cards in this quiver.(Quick Crafts)
February 1, 2005... 1. Roll a sheet of construction paper into a tube, and glue the seam. 2. To make a strap, punch a hole near the top and bottom of the seam. Thread three long pieces of yarn through the holes, and tie the ends of the yarn together, 3....

Save your pennies in Lincoln's log cabin.(Crafts You Can Make)
February 1, 2005... 1. Glue the seams of an empty toothpick box. Leave the top flap open. 2. Glue toothpicks to the front of the box, and paint the log cabin brown. 3. From brown paper, cut out a roof, door, window frame, and chimney. Glue the window...

Get three in a row with "stick"-tac-toe.(Crafts You Can Make)
February 1, 2005... 1. Use twelve sticky notes to make the game grid. Cut a half-inch strip from the top (sticky-backed part) of the notes. Color the strips. 2. To make the board, arrange the strips on a wall. 3. Draw an X on each of five sticky notes....

A getting-to-know-you game.(Crafts You Can Make)
February 1, 2005... 1. Cut 14 or more identical hearts or other shapes from construction paper. 2. Punch a hole through the bottom of the shapes, and loosely fasten them together with yarn or a chenille stick. 3. On the top shape write "Getting to Know...

These felt sports stars are winners.(Crafts You Can Make)
February 1, 2005... 1. Cut open a cereal box, and lay it flat. Glue skin-toned paper to the plain side of the cardboard. 2. Draw the outline of a person, and cut out the figure. Use markers to draw a face and hair. 3. Lay the cardboard person on a piece...

I wonder ... why bumps and bruises hurt.(Science Corner)
February 1, 2005... Pain is the body's way of warning you to be more careful. It says, "Don't do that again."

Room for more.(Science Corner)
February 1, 2005... Fill a jar with sand. Fill a second, identical jar with water. Slowly pour water from the second jar into the sand in the first one. How much water can you pour before water runs over the side of the sand-filled jar? Since the first jar was...

Oh, say, can you see?(Science Corner)
February 1, 2005... England and the United States are on opposite shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Why can't a person standing on one shore see a person standing on the other shore even when using a telescope on a clear day? Oh, Say, Can You See?--The curve of...

Dinosaur days.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Did the alligator live in the age of dinosaurs? Cody Trigg, Age 8 Mississippi Alligators as we know them today did not live during the age of dinosaurs. But some of their relatives, who looked a lot like them, did live at that time. So...

The bear family.
February 1, 2005... Piddy: Let's go see what's in the pet store! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Poozy: Wait, Piddy. Let's use the crosswalk. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Piddy: But going that way takes longer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Mom: It may take a...

Elijah and his father's coat.(Short Story)
February 1, 2005... It was a cold winter day. The tailor of Yedlinek was sick in bed, and there was no one to deliver the clothes to his customers in the large town of Zborov. The tailor's wife didn't know what to do. "Let me go, Mother!" said the tailor's...

Tricky triangles.
February 1, 2005... How many triangles can you find in this figure? We found twelve triangles, as shown here.

Cormorant.(Nature Watch)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Did You Know? The cormorant has a trick that lets it dive deep underwater to catch fish. When the bird dives, its outer feathers soak up some water. The added weight lets the bird dive deeper than many other birds. The soft inner feathers stay...

What are your favorite books?
February 1, 2005... I have many favorite books, but the best is Poppy. It is a great book done by Avi. Poppy lives in Dimwood Forest. Her love is taken away. Will she defeat the mean old owl, Mr. Ocax? You will have to read the book to find out. I recommend this...

A visit to the bakery.
February 1, 2005... Mama worked at a bakery. Every Saturday she brought home warm cinnamon buns for Rosa and Papa. One day Papa said, "Let's visit Mama at the bakery." Hand in hand, Rosa and Papa walked to the bakery. They passed a fire station and a...

Brain play.
February 1, 2005... Starty at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answer fro your own head. What state do you live in? What color is your favorite food? How many feet does a pig have? Who is the strongest person in your...

Celebrate variety! In the books Ezra reade, kids all had blond or ligth-brown hair and skin the color of beach sand. But Ezra like varierty.
February 1, 2005... Jacob Ezra Katz grew up in Brooklyn, New York, during the 1920s. In his neighborhood, some kids had skin the color of sand on the beach, and some had skin the color of dark chocolate. Some had eyes that were oval and blue, and some had eyes...

It's only natural.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I have a birthmark on my chest. When I go swimming, it shows. How can I get over it? Nicholas C., Pennsylvania Many people have birthmarks on different parts of their bodies. They are natural features that make each person unique. If...

Can't sleep.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Every time I try to sleep, I can't. I tried tossing and turning, saying the rosary, and reading. Can you help me? Morgan H., New Jersey You have already tried some good "get-to-sleep" strategies. You are taking a mature approach in...

Too much teasing.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I have a problem with my friend. He teases my brother to the point of being mean. I get in trouble for tagging along with him. My friend creates problems by deliberately irritating my brother. What should I do? Boy in Distress, Washington...

A puzzling question.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I love to do puzzles, but then I think to myself, "Why do I do them?" Can you help me? Anna L., Hawaii You probably like to do puzzles because they stretch your mind and help you learn new ways of thinking. That shows that you are...

Sum-thing's up.
February 1, 2005... Sound out each picture puzzle below to find a place that ends with the letter O. Here is an example: Toe + key + (yo) = Tokyo 1. Eye + (du-ck) + ho = ? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2. pw + (ch-air) + toe + (ri-th) + (coa-t) = ?...