Highlights for Children articles from July 2009

Highlights for Children archives from July 2009

The "why" behind the Fourth of July.(Fun This Month)
July 1, 2009... Have you ever been curious about the Declaration of Independence? Find out what it's all about. With your family, read the document on HighlightsKids.com, then discuss it. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Guess who!(Fun This Month)(silhouette)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A silhouette is an outline of an object or a person. It's named for Etienne de Silhouette, a French minister of finance who liked to make cut-paper portraits. July 8 is his 300th birth anniversary. The...

Tongue twister.(Fun This Month)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Say this five times fast. I see icy ice cream.

5 Summer job ideas.(Fun This Month)
July 1, 2009... Here are some ways to stay busy (and maybe earn a few bucks)--with your parents' permission. 1. Can you pitch, juggle, or play the piano? Offer to teach your skill. 2. Help with gardening or yard work. 3. Sell homemade crafts and...

Parents' day is July 26.(Fun This Month)
July 1, 2009... Make a collage to let your parents know how much you appreciate them.

Party at the ranch.(Fun This Month)(National Day of the Cowboy)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In honor of National Day of the Cowboy (July 25), have a ranch-themed party. Dress in jeans and bandannas, play country music, and learn a basic line dance to teach your guests. Place a stick in the ground, then tie...

Find the pictures.(Fun This Month)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can you find each of these 10 pictures at another place in this magazine? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

First, the moon ... next, Mars?(Dear Readers)(1969 Moon Landing)(Editorial)
July 1, 2009... I remember that hot July night in 1969 when man first walked on the Moon. My parents let my sisters and me stay up late to watch the event on our black-and-white television set. The Moon walk thrilled everyone-grown-ups and kids alike. All...

When Cats Dance.(Poem)
July 1, 2009... When Cats Dance Cats may disco when they're glad, rumba when they're feeling mad. Hip-hop cats are never sad, but my cats love to tango. Gliding smoothly through the door, sliding 'cross the kitchen floor ...

Disc-dog champ.(Danny Eggleston and his pet Guinan)
July 1, 2009... Danny Eggleston was sitting on his couch one day, tossing a plastic disc into the air. To his delight, his puppy leaped over a coffee table and tried to grab the disc. Danny was familiar with competitions where dogs chase flying discs....

Sunny solves a mystery.(Short story)
July 1, 2009... "Where's my sock?" asked Mom. "It was here on the couch last night." Sunny's heart began to thump. "It's a mystery!" she said. "I need my secret-detective kit!" "Mmmm." Mom's head was in the laundry basket. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Goofus and Gallant[R].(Cartoon)
July 1, 2009... "It's not fair," says Goofus. Gallant helps by entertaining small kids. Goofus goes on a hike unprepared. "I'm glad I brought Water," says Gallant. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "I like Goofus when I...

Word-square puzzles.
July 1, 2009... Copy the grid (without letters in it) twice onto paper. Read the clues, and use the answers to fill in the squares. The answers should read the same across and down. Square 1 is started for you. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Answers ...

Kestrel.(Nature Watch: From the Roger Tory Peterson Institute)
July 1, 2009... The kestrel can hover like a helicopter. It flutters its wings back and forth. That motion holds the bird steady in the air. Very few birds can do that. The kestrel hovers over a field or meadow. Then it dives to catch a grasshopper or mouse....

Matching.(Nature Watch: From the Roger Tory Peterson Institute)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Look at each pool toy on the left. Find one like it on the right.

Waking up a president!(Short story)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] On June 1923, reporters assigned to cover President Warren G. Harding's two-month Voyage of Understanding must have thought themselves lucky. As the presidential train visited cities and towns across America, Harding...

Gently down the stream.(Hidden Pictures[R])
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In this big picture, find the muffin, trowel, teacup, celery, baseball bat, flashlight, cap, swan, musical note, slice of pie, toothbrush, handbell, candle, fish, and canoe. Can you find these Hidden Pictures[R]...

Jokes.
July 1, 2009... Willy: Why did you just jump into a pool with no water? Silly Billy: Because I don't know how to swim! Brianna Darling, Indiana A woman walked into the local library and asked the librarian, "May I please have a cheeseburger, some...

The Birthday Bash.(Poem)
July 1, 2009... The Birthday Bash The night's extra-bright on the Fourth of July when the fireworks meet with the stars in the sky a delightfully daring and dazzling display that says Happy Birthday, Dear U.S. of A!

Old guitar, brand-new band.(Ask Arizona)(Short story)(Column)
July 1, 2009... Dear Arizona, I want to be in a band, but I don't know how to put one together. Do you? --Rockin' in Rhode Island [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Dear Rockin', Well, yes and no. The band I'm in is seriously unusual (meaning the...

The leprechaun's clever trick.(Folktale)
July 1, 2009... A farmer was walking in her field one day when she came across a leprechaun hiding in the tall grass. The farmer caught the leprechaun. "Let me go!" cried the leprechaun. "I will let you go if you bring me to your pot of gold," said...

Creature columns.(SPORTS KINGDOM)
July 1, 2009... Each creature has something in common with the other two creatures in the same row and column. Can you figure out what they have in common across, down, and diagonally, too? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

The Timbertoes[R].(Comic)(Cartoon)
July 1, 2009... "Let's go Fishing!" said Tommy. Pa grabbed the poles. Everyone hurried to the lake. They dropped in their lines. They waited for a fish to bite. They waited some more. "Look!" said Mabel. Pa got the raft. ...

The sea turtle's built-in compass.
July 1, 2009... If you were bringing friends home to visit, you could show them the way. You know the landmarks--a big red house, a bus-stop sign, or even a pothole in front of your driveway. But what if you were swimming in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean,...

A Letter From Camp.(Poem)
July 1, 2009... A Letter From Camp Dear Mom and Dad, I'm doing just fine at Camp of the Lonesome Whispering Pine. You don't need to worry. I've remembered to do just about all you reminded me to. I've been brushing my...

[Cartoon].(Science Corner)(Cartoon)
July 1, 2009... "Play deactivated." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

How strong?(Science Corner)(bridge construction)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Imagine building a bridge to let cars and trucks cross a river. How would you decide how strong to make it? Think of your own best answer, then see the Answer Box on page 38. ...

Collect tree textures.(Science Corner)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hold a blank sheet of paper firmly against the side of a tree, and rub the side of a dark-colored crayon over the paper. You should get an impression, or "rubbing," of the tree bark. Collect rubbings of different...

I wonder ... what Saturn's rings are made of.(Science Corner)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Saturn's rings are made of millions of pieces of ice. Each piece moves around the planet the way the Moon goes around Earth, and they are all lined up together. No one knows where the ice chunks came from, but some...

Dino days.(dinosaurs)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Have all the dinosaur bones already been found? Lily Jordan, Age 6 Louisiana No, they have not. Today, we know of about one thousand kinds of dinosaurs, Every three weeks or so, someone finds a new kind....

Thinking.(Fourth of July)
July 1, 2009... It's a neighborhood Fourth of July celebration! * In what ways are people n9 the Fourth of July at this party? * If you were here, what would you smell? Taste? Hear? * Why do people Fly the American flag? * What are some other...

The troll bridge.(Short story)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lisa was going to see her friend Howie. His backyard was just across a little stream. Lisa's dad had put a nice wide board over the stream so it was easy to cross. But as Lisa was walking on the board, a small,...

Me on the moon.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Marysia Kopec, Age 6 British Columbia, Canada

Gym Class.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Gym Class Mr. Winders yells "Go!" We must all run a mile. I do not smile. I am fast. I want my name on the wall as the fastest runner of all. Reece Hassell, Age 7 Tennessee

Eclipse.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Eclipse Darkness comes and sunlight fails. Come, Moon, and follow Sun's trail. Cast down shadows on the Earth. Now is when shadows give birth. Dylan Attlesey, Age 10 Florida

Every day.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Every day I get up in the morning and throw off the sheets like I'm unwrapping a present. I know that every day will be a good present. Olivia Wright, Age 11 Iowa

Playing Baseball.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Playing Baseball I love to play baseball! In the winter, spring, summer, and fall. I really like it when I hit the ball over the big, tall wall! I hit the ball and run the bases. Don't let me be out! ...

Heavy locomotive.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Grant Dunn, Age 5 Ohio

My Dog.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... My Dog My dog is a winner, the best kind there is. He helps me out in my lawn-mowing biz. He drives the mower, and I tell him how. (When we're on farms, I use the plow.) He helps me make...

Petals on flowers.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Petals on flowers, petals on breeze. The wind blows, and the petals blow to another tree. Angelina Brim, Age 5 New Jersey

Did You Ever?(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Did You Ever? I saw two kids walking and fighting one day, and it made me think something I'm gonna say.... Did you ever doubt that your dreams will come true? Did you ever blame the world and never...

Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Audrey Huang, Age 7 California

Grass.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Grass Swaying in the wind, Stepped on, Plucked from earth, Green, Soft when you fall, And gentle, Very gentle. Marco Pompa, Age 9 New York

Night at a farm.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sky Stone, Age 9 Texas

An Evening with My Family.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... An Evening with My Family My dad rests on the couch, drinking green tea, watching the news. My morn does a puzzle; she works really hard. My older sister studies for tests. My younger sister cries ...

I like the giraffe.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... I like the giraffe who lives behind me. He's almost as tall as our tallest tree. Sometimes, though, he's very hard to see! Allison Schultz, Age 9 Zambia

Pontiac firebird.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Andrew Herold, Ate 7 South Dakota

Dreamer.(Your Own Pages)(Poem)
July 1, 2009... Dreamer A land, fairies, worldpeace, ponies, unicorns, mountains, prairies, lakes, sunsets, the ocean, brooks that sound as though you could sit there for hours... "I will repeat ...

A monarch butterfly.(Your Own Pages)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nihar Kella, Age 6 New Jersey

Numero uno: Mexico's Lorena Ochoa has energized the world of golf.
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "!Ole, Lore! !Bravo, Lorena!" The chant can be heard above the rippling green, white, and red flags of Mexico. !VAMOS, LORENA! LET'S GO, LORENA! says a banner waved by smiling girls in sunglasses. Their favorite...

Megaphone.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. With an adult's help, cut off the bottom of a disposable plastic cup. Cover the cut end with masking tape. 2. Glue on yarn, pompoms, and cut-paper shapes. 3. Use your megaphone to cheer for Independence...

Treasure jar.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Decorate a clean plastic jar with stickers. Glue felt to the lid. Glue small treasures to the top of the lid. 2. Glue a strip of cardboard between two pieces of wide ribbon for a handle. Glue the ends of the...

Brown-bag journal.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Cut off the bottom of a brown-paper lunch bag, as shown. Fold the bag in half. 2. Punch two holes a half inch from the fold. 3. Cut the bottoms off three more bags, and fold them in half. Insert them into...

Cereal-box soccer.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Measure 3 inches from the side of a cereal box and cut off the entire side, as shown. Using cut paper, decorate the inside to look like a soccer field. 2. Cut two goals by trimming the flaps at each end. Three...

"Scoops of friendship" frame.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Cut ice-cream scoops and a cone from craft foam. Cut a window in the center of each scoop. 2. Glue a photo in each window. 3. Decorate the cone with a marker. Glue the scoops onto the cone. 4. Punch a...

Woven star of wishes.(Crafts)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Japanese Tanabata, or Star Festival, celebrates the annual meeting of the stars Vega and Altair. According to legend, Vega, a weaver, is married to Altair, a cow herder, but they are separated by the Milky Way...

Do ants have bones?(Science Letters?)(questions about the Moon and tears)
July 1, 2009... How come the Moon seems to follow you when you move? Asia Elmore, Age 10 Florida [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Moon seems to follow you because it's so far away. That idea may sound wrong. After all, how could something far away...

Check ... and double check.
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] There are at least twelve differences in these two pictures. How many can you find?

The thinking game.(Short story)
July 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Dad!" called Ana. "I can't find my baseball." "Why don't you play the thinking game?" asked Dad. "OK," said Ana. "I think my baseball is under my bed." She peeked under her bed. "Here's my glove! But my baseball...

Chris Hart: tips from a cartoonist.(What a Pro Knows)
July 1, 2009... Chris started working as a cartoonist in high school, designing animated characters for a small company in California. Since then, he has written and illustrated more than 60 how-to-draw books. I always like to draw and collect comic books,...

Riddles.
July 1, 2009... (1) Why would you put cheese on a computer keyboard? Jessica Caramay, Illinois (2) What do you call a fly with a damaged wing? Andrew Nelson, Washington (3) Who is married to Antarctica? Eamonn McLean, Massachusetts ...

Your best self.(Cartoon)
July 1, 2009... I have all summer to do my project. If you do a little each day, it'll be easier. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Brain play.
July 1, 2009... Start at the beginning And see how far you Can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. START [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Which colors do you see around you right now? How are a hummingbird and a mosquito alike? How are...

The most important night of my life so far.(Short story)
July 1, 2009... I'm the champion sleeper of the universe. I fall asleep early and sleep so soundly that nothing wakes me up. Not sirens screaming past my open window. Not fireworks exploding in the sky. Especially not alarm clocks. The only thing that...

Dear Highlights.
July 1, 2009... I want to stop people from littering. I make posters to remind everyone, but I still see a lot of trash. Can you please help? Tooba (by e-mail) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Making posters is a good idea. With your parents' permission,...

Picture puzzler.
July 1, 2009... Using the clues below, use your finger to trace a path From Start to Finish, How many paths can you find? CLUES: When you land on a [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] move 1 space in any direction [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] move 1 space...

What's wrong.
July 1, 2009... How many silly things can you find in this picture? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]