Highlights for Children articles from January 2004

Highlights for Children archives from January 2004

Dog.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Black dog, white dog, Yellow dog, brown. Dog in the country, Dog in the town. Big dog, little dog, Serious, clown. Dog on its tummy Or upside down. Young one, old one, Any one's fine. Makes no difference As long as it's MINE.

Find the pictures.
January 1, 2004... Can you find each of these pictures at another place in this book? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Dear readers.
January 1, 2004... Have you ever read a book you couldn't put down? Have you ever read a story so good that you wished it would go on forever? When I read "You Can't Judge..." in this issue of Highlights (pages 30-31), I decided that this was how Toby felt about...

Pass the noodles pork, and peas, please! Lucky foods around the world: can certain foods bring good luck? Some people believe they do!
January 1, 2004... New Year's celebrations around the world include foods that many people believe will bring good fortune in the year to come. These beliefs are a kind of folklore--ideas passed down from one generation to another in a community or country....

The best game on Earth.(Short Story)
January 1, 2004... Catherine trudged through the puppany plants, pushing apart the spaghetti-like tendrils to find her baseball. Ugh. Why was everything on Dup so weird and slimy... and alien? On Earth, kids played baseball in the grass. Balls didn't get...

A lifeline for lions: could these wild cats be saved from a deadly disease?
January 1, 2004... All over the Serengeti, the lions were in trouble. Tourists in a hot-air balloon were the first to notice. As the tourists were flying low over the savannah, they spotted a big cat lying on the ground. This lion wasn't lazing around, as...

The Timbertoes.(Comic)
January 1, 2004... No one wanted to go outside. "What can we do today?" "Let's play Slow-Fast!" They all moved slowly... then FAST! "Now let's play High-Low." They all walked high... then low. "Let's play... ...

"Sum" fun with squares: these squares really add up.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Can a bunch of numbers have special powers? Many ancient people believed so. Groups of numbers, called magic squares, were engraved on objects, then worn for good luck or for protection from sickness. What really makes magic squares so...

Follow that horse.(guide horses)
January 1, 2004... Cuddles is on the job! Her owner, Dan Shaw, grips the handle of her harness. He says, "Take a walk," and the pair starts off. Because he is blind, Dan can't see the road ahead, but he knows he's safe with Cuddles. Cuddles is one of only a few...

Speed skaters.(Hidden Pictures[TM])
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this big picture find the kite, toothbrush, pumpkin, mushroom, sponge, football, leaf, funnel, heart, crescent moon, screw, lollipop, light bulb, and spoon. *** Can you find these Hidden Pictures[TM] on page...

Who's fastest?(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... If these animals ran a race of about one hundred meters, which do you think would win? Which would place second? Which would finish last? In which place do you think you would finish? [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

What is it?
January 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Answer: An ant carrying a breadcrumb.

Which is easier?
January 1, 2004... To peel an apple or to peel a banana? To stand on one foot or to stand on your head? To run forward or to run backward? To put on mittens or to put on boots? To ride a bike uphill or downhill? To watch television or to...

Jokes.
January 1, 2004... Michael: "Do they have the Fourth of July in England?" Mom: "Yes. They also have the second and third of July." Nanley Ramirez, Florida A woman walked into a pizza parlor to order a pizza. The person taking her order asked, "Would...

Cal's coin collection.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Cal saved his coins for a month. When he counted them, he found that he had exactly one hundred coins worth a total of five dollars. There were no nickels. What coins did Cal have? Cal had sixty pennies, thirty-nine dimes, and one...

Matching.
January 1, 2004... Look at each bowl on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Persistence: I became determined to do my best.(flashbacks)(Column)
January 1, 2004... Growing up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, I was a member of Cub Scout Pack 66. We did many fun projects. One was the Pinewood Derby, a model-car race. Each Scout made a car from a block of wood. I carved and sanded the wood all by myself. Since...

The Tea Party.(Poem)
January 1, 2004... The Tea Party I sat myself down for a cup of tea and saw Miss Mouse looking at me. "It looks so lovely," said Miss Mouse to me. "Would you be so kind as to pour me some tea?" "Of course," said...

Thinking.
January 1, 2004... * Which players are teammates? How can you tell? What skills are needed to play basketball? * Who is trying to score? Who is playing defense? How can the teammates work together? * What is the purpose of each piece of sports equipment?...

Galaxy count.(science letters)
January 1, 2004... How many galaxies do astronomers know of? Sania Tharani, Age 10 Georgia I did not know the answer, so I asked my friend Dr. Ken Croswell, who is an astronomer and author. Here's what he said. "Sania probably knows that a...

Creating air.(Science Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... If you had a room with no air, then you poured in barrels of nitrogen and oxygen, could you produce air? Jeremy Khawaja, Age 11 Texas Yes, you could. That is likely the way air is made for space vessels. However, the total air...

Goose bumps.(Science Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... How do goose bumps form? Jamie Ammons, Age 10 Florida Goose bumps are caused by tiny muscles at the base of hair follicles. In animals with fur made up of long hairs, goose bumps help to raise the hairs and make the fur fluffy....

King of all animals: a Chinese folktale.(Short Story)
January 1, 2004... When Tiger walked openly through the jungle, he was Fear. The deer fled in alarm. The monkeys swung, screaming, to the highest branches. The frogs dived into the deepest pools. And the turtles closed their shells and hoped to be mistaken...

This game will bowl you over.(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 1. To make the pins, glue white paper around six paper-towel tubes. Glue one strip of colored paper around the first tube, two around the second tube, and so on. 2. Glue a 2-inch poster-board circle to both ends of each tube. 3. To...

Buttons and bows brighten a bracelet.(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 1. Cut a wide strip of felt to fit around your wrist Use a hole punch to make a hole at each end. 2. Sew or glue old buttons along the felt strip, leaving a space between each one. 3. Glue tiny ribbon bows in the spaces between the...

Craft challenge!(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Happy New Year! Create a calendar using only paper, beads, and string.

Fine feathered finger puppets.(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 1. Cut two pieces of construction paper, felt, or craft foam into identical bird shapes that are larger than your finger. 2. Glue the bird shapes together on three sides. Leave the bottom open for your finger. 3. Glue on craft feathers...

Shake up some fun in the new year.(handicraft)
January 1, 2004... 1. With an adult's help, poke a hole in the bottom center of two identical clear-plastic containers (pudding or fruit cups work well). 2. Cut several 6-inch-long pieces of ribbon. Thread half of the ribbons through each hole, tying a knot...

Froggie needs a job.(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 1. Paint the bottom half of a small gift box or cover it with green construction paper. Let the paint or glue dry completely. 2. Cut out a green construction-paper head and four legs. Add facial features. 3. Glue the legs to the bottom...

How to grow your own money tree.
January 1, 2004... Did you know that money can grow? I don't mean that if you plant a dollar bill and water it for a few weeks, a money tree will grow out of the ground. (Though that would be nice, wouldn't it?) I mean that money can grow if you "plant"...

For wee folks.
January 1, 2004... * Which show winter? Which show summer? * What changes occur each season where you live? * Which live in cold places? Which live in warm places? gorilla walrus camel polar bear caribou kangaroo ...

Lost Shoes.(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Lost Shoes When you're searching For lost shoes, And you're frantic 'Cause you're late, Be glad you're not A spider-- You need two, And he needs eight! --Sharon Landeen

Goofus and Gallant[R].
January 1, 2004... "Ha, ha! You lost!" "Don't feel bad. You'll win another time." Goofus doesn't dress for the weather, and he feels uncomfortable. Gallant dresses for the weather, and he feels comfortable. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] ...

You can't judge ... a book report by its cover. Or can you?(Short Story)
January 1, 2004... "To conclude, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is the best book I've read in my ten years on this planet." Toby Sinclair clicked Save and then Print on his computer. After rereading each page, he fastened them neatly into a new blue...

Feeding time.(Short Story)
January 1, 2004... It was feeding time at the farm. Jake grabbed the basket of food and ran outside. Grandpa was waiting by the fence. Jake found some carrots in the basket. "Come and get it!" he called to the horses. He found some apples in the basket....

Chore challenge: a logic puzzle.
January 1, 2004... My name is Mary-Jo, but you can call me Jo. Everyone does except Aunt Jane. Sometimes she calls me Ann or Beth or Kate. Those are my sisters: Mary-Ann, Mary-Beth, and Mary-Kate. We're identical quadruplets. Our aunt has a hard time telling us...

Three in a row.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Set up three coins in a straight row. Without touching the middle coin, change its position so it is at one end of the row. Move one of the end coins to the other end.

Riddles.
January 1, 2004... 1. What's the difference between a cat and a comma? Aubrey Duncan, California 2. What do you call an X that just took a bath? Tyler Knighton, Tennessee 3. What is coming but never arrives? Rishika Jain, Illinois 4....

My Mom Beside a Tree.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... My Mom Beside a Tree [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Joel Volk, Age 5 Alberta

Feelings.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Feelings When you are calm you are like a flowing stream. When you are sad you are like a lonesome hooting owl. When you are angry you are like a rushing river. When you are happy you are like a flying...

Best Friends.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Best Friends [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Derrian Ferguson, Age 8 Michigan

Togetherness.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Togetherness [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ashley Potter, Age 11 Rhode Island

Twinkletoes.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Twinkletoes My teacher calls me Twinkletoes. Why? Nobody really knows. Perhaps it's because I like to dance. And I'm up on my toes whenever I get a chance. Twinkletoes is a silly name. But I like it...

Geese travel south.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Geese travel south-- Honk honk, "Out of the way," honk honk. Deer race through the forest-- Crunch crunch, "I'll beat you," crunch crunch. Squirrels partake of their annual feast-- Chitter chatter, "Nice nut...

Finished for the Day.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Finished for the Day [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nichelle Halbersma, Age 9 Minnesota

My Grandpa.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... My Grandpa My grandpa is honest, Trustworthy, and fair. He likes to be funny, And he always cares. He hates to go shopping; It's just not his thing. He'd rather stay home And listen to Grandma sing....

Being a Raindrop.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Being a Raindrop Being a raindrop felt Like I was dancing On a moonlight stroll For a never-ending day Of happiness. Then it all ended With one little touch, And I only had One second to play....

Thy Liberty.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Thy Liberty [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dannie Bailey, Age 10 Virginia

Upon Our Faces.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Upon Our Faces If only we could capture sunshine And wear it around our necks, If only we could seize a rainbow And store it in our hearts, If only we could pluck away the moon And store it in our souls-- But...

Snow.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... Snow Snow is falling down like moths, or like dragonflies trying to land, or like angels trying to guide people. Catherine Turk, Age 4 Montana

Piano Room.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Piano Room [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Taylor Westhoff, Age 11 Maryland

It's All About Bugs.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... It's All About Bugs Their little feet streaking across the dirt and the leaves and the grass-- Flapping colorful, beautiful wings-- Sniffing the flowers with wonder and wisdom-- Taking the pollen and...

The Night Sky.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... The Night Sky I look at the night sky, Up so high-- It's shiny and bright, Like God's night-light. Emily Langlais, Age 5 New Hampshire

Rosa Parks.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Rosa Parks [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lauren Edwards, Age 8 Iowa

Dr. King.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... Dr. King [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Anne Edwards, Age 6 Iowa

My dog, Tummy.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
January 1, 2004... My dog, Tommy, makes me happy. We play outside together every day. He jumps so high to catch the Frisbee. He likes it when I feed him dog bones. We laugh and swim in the swimming pool together. ...

My Best Friend, Reba.(Our Own Pages)
January 1, 2004... My Best Friend, Reba [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kahlil Williford, Age 9 Georgia

Word wizardry.(Short Story)
January 1, 2004... Once in a faraway land where written words did not exist, a wizard was marveling at his newest creation. Twenty-six letters danced and hummed around the room. Mmm... Zzz... Rrr. "If I arrange the letters to form words, I can...

I wonder ... why sea gulls follow fishing boats.(science corner)
January 1, 2004... Sea gulls are part of the ocean's cleanup crew. They eat bits and pieces of dead fish and other sea life. The birds have learned to follow boats because fishing boats often leave behind stuff like that.

The squirming caterpillar.(Science Corner)
January 1, 2004... Remove the paper cover from a plastic straw by sliding it down until it is crumpled at one end of the straw, and then slip it off. Put a few drops of water on the crumpled paper, and it will wiggle like a caterpillar. Why did the paper...

Round and round they go.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Which of these two satellites will complete an orbit around Earth first? Satellite B (in the lower orbit) will complete its orbit first. It has a shorter distance to travel. Also, the lower an object's orbit, the faster it goes.

Dinosaur days.
January 1, 2004... I once heard in a song that a "Brontosaurus" is an Apatosaurus with the wrong head on its neck. Is this true? Alex Boscolo. Age 7 Maryland It's close! The song has put together two separate mistakes. In one museum, the head of a...

Headwork.
January 1, 2004... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. How many ears do you have? Can you say hello to your mother while keeping your lips closed tightly? Which part of a fish is farthest...

Adventure's call.
January 1, 2004... Eleven-year-old Jack London stared in awe at the towering masts of the Arctic whalers, flat-bottomed Chinese junks with square sails, and trading schooners that rocked at anchor at the Oakland, California, waterfront. He wished he could jump...

Sportsmanship.(Dear Highlights,)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... I play golf with my dad. Every time I hit a bad shot, I throw my golf club on the ground. How can I play golf without getting so frustrated? Aaron S., New Mexico Sportsmanship is an important part of any game. You already seem to...

Acting silly.(Dear Highlights,)(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2004... Every day I ride home from school in my mom's car. I have twin sisters who are always being silly. When I sit next to them, I start to get silly, too. My mom tells us to stop, but they get me into it over and over. Can you help? Conrad K.,...

"Like a bird".
January 1, 2004... My best friend asked me, "Do I sing pretty?" I didn't want to hurt her feelings, but she sings too loud and not that well. So I said, "You sing like a bird." Was that OK? Sade M., California It sounds as if you found a very pleasant...

Alphonso's alphabet.
January 1, 2004... Alphonso is getting an early start on spring cleaning. In the bottom of his closet, he found items that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Stare at the picture below for thirty seconds, then close the book. List as many of these items...