Highlights for Children articles from June 2004

Highlights for Children archives from June 2004

The Picnic.(Poem)
June 1, 2004... The Picnic We brought a rug for sitting on, Our lunch was in a box. The sand was warm. We didn't wear Hats or shoes or socks. Waves came curling up the beach. We waded. It was fun. Our sandwiches were...

You named me Link!
June 1, 2004... Thanks for playing "Name the Mouse!" We recently asked you to vote on a name for our mouse character. His job is to point out features on HighlightsKids.com that tie in with Highlights magazine. We love the name that you chose--Link!

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

Dear readers.
June 1, 2004... One of my favorite treasures is a small red box made by my niece. She covered a cardboard jewelry box with red velvet and gold glitter to make me a perfect container for paper clips. When I was a kid, I made gifts like this for others. But...

Get to know a million.
June 1, 2004... What's the biggest number you know? Have you ever started counting, just to see how high you could go? If you did, you probably stopped long before you reached a million. One million is a big number. It looks like this--1,000,000--a one...

Fox strings the beans.
June 1, 2004... "Bear, it's June. Why are you playing Christmas music?" Fox asked. Bear sat at his kitchen table. He rested his head on one paw. "I am sad," said Bear. "Something ate all the strawberries in my garden, and worms got in the radishes. On...

Fast elephants.(Science In Action)
June 1, 2004... Dr. John Hutchinson went to Thailand with a team of scientists to study a question about fast-moving elephants: are they running, or are they just walking fast? In case you had not noticed, there are differences between walking and...

For wee folks.
June 1, 2004... * If these people went for a walk around their block, who would probably take the most steps? The fewest steps? How can you tell? * Who do you think gave Dad each gift? * It is nearly bedtime for the little boy. How do the others know...

A dozen things to do on a rainy day.
June 1, 2004... 1. Catch raindrops on your tongue. 2. Dance to the beat of the rain. 3. Sail a boat in a puddle. 4. Read a mystery. 5. Bake a sponge cake. 6. Visit the library. 7. Splash! 8. Keep your sunny side up! 9....

Goofus and Gallant[R].
June 1, 2004... "Where did I put my snorkel and swim fins?" Gallant puts things away so that he can find them the next time. Goofus scratches at his scab. Gallant leaves scabs alone so that his skin can heal.

Get off the high dive!(Short Story)
June 1, 2004... "Hey, everybody--look who's on the high dive again!" A sandy-haired boy strutted around the pool deck with his thumbs in his armpits, flapping his elbows and making clucking noises. Stephanie blushed a shade of pink that almost matched her...

"Rabbit takes the lead!".(Hidden Pictures[TM])
June 1, 2004... In this big picture find the toothbrush, dolphin, boot, heron, golf club, heart, fishhook, pennant, lollipop, hockey stick, snake, key, and spool of thread. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Can you find these Hidden Pictures[TM] on page 14? ...

Hal's pen pals.
June 1, 2004... Hal's family is on vacation in Texas. He wants to send postcards to his five friends in Canada, but he can't recall where each one lives. He does remember some strange facts, however. By following these clues, you can help him. 1. Hal's...

Riddles.
June 1, 2004... 1. What is a whale's favorite kind of gum? Kayla Binkley, Oregon 2. What did the cow say when it had nothing to eat but a thistle? Carlie Sack, Ohio 3. Why did the man put his paycheck in the freezer? Chris Williams, North...

The Osage firebird.
June 1, 2004... As a child, Betty Marie Tallchief listened for hours to her grand-Grandmother's stories of fire spirits and animals that could talk. Much of what Betty Marie knew about her Osage heritage came from Grandmother Tall Chief. She never forgot the...

Animals in hiding.
June 1, 2004... Animals are great at hiding. There is one hidden in each sentence below. Can you find them all? Example: Billy can do great tricks. (dog) 1. The cold wind made Eric shiver. 2. My favorite author sent me his new book. 3. It...

Purple Martin.(Nature Watch)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Did You Know? Purple martins look as if they have small beaks when their mouths are closed, but they can open those beaks very wide. That lets them catch a lot of food as they fly through swarms of mosquitoes, midges, or other small insects....

The Timbertoes.(Comic)
June 1, 2004... "Let's surprise Pa." "Let's make breakfast for him." Too late. "Let's sweep his workshop." Too late. "We can pick flowers for him." Silly idea, Tommy thought. They picked a big bunch. Pa liked the flowers....

The great race.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie is about a girl named Nelly. She loves horses. She even has one named Fire. Nelly races every day. Her horse wins almost every race. Nelly has her eye on the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown, then she's down to the final. She raced a...

Dinosaur attack.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... This movie is about three scientists named William, Jerry, and Anderson, who live in the year 5000. They accidentally stumble onto plasma dinosaurs when they return from a trip to Jupiter. They go to Jupiter in the first place to get plasma....

Noogs.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie would be about the cartoon characters that I draw. I call them Noogs. My original character, which you see here, is Googs. In this scene, Googs gets a call. He has won a million dollars? Googs's wife, Soogie, hears him yell, then she...

Tara's locket.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie would be a mystery movie. In this scene, Ma and Pa have given Tara a locket for her birthday. Later, the family moves into a mansion, and Tara finds the secret of the locket. Lexi Davis, Age 10 Mississippi

Giraffes in the wild.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... If I could make a movie, I would make a wildlife movie about giraffes because they're my favorite animals and because it's good to learn about new things. Jesse Tempel, Age 11 Nebraska

Katherine's struggle.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie would be about a girl named Katherine who lives during the American Civil War. Her father, brother, and friends all leave to fight for their country. Katherine, her mother, and her sisters must fight their own battles at home....

Too many carrots.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie is about a bunny rabbit. He is walking, and he spies some carrots. He eats one after another. Soon he discovers that he's turning orange! Kayla Elwy, Age 6 California

The ghost of Ranari Rain Forest.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... In a small jungle in India, some apes claim to have seen a ghost that looked like a giant chicken. All the animals are so scared that most of them leave, except the lion, tiger, and nighttime animals. The remaining animals decide on a plan. The...

Ash's journey around the world.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My story is about a young man named Ash. He lives in the year 3024. Ash gets his first car. It's a hover car. Ash is so excited. He sets off on a journey around the world. When Ash makes his first stop for gas, he goes inside to pay. When he...

The scorpion mouse.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... This movie is about how a scorpion mouse (also called a grasshopper mouse) lives, gets its food, and multiplies. In this scene, it is twilight, and a scorpion mouse has popped out of its burrow. The movie takes place in the desert, and the...

Waffle monster.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... The Keck family goes to the waffle restaurant. They love it until a big waffle monster comes to the window! They get scared and go home. The end. Heidi Keck, Age 5 Kentucky

Vasitas.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie is about a dragon that is captured and tamed for a big race. A team of kids is in this race. But so are their rivals. Their dragon is super-fast. It is up to the team to beat their rivals in the big race so that they can claim victory,...

Touchdown.(You're the Movie Director!)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... My movie would be about my football team. In this scene, we are celebrating after a tough game. I play both offense and defense. I like to play defensive line the best. We have a good record (6-1-1). I like to play with my friends. Michael...

Test on the mountain.(Short Story)
June 1, 2004... Mohan was excited. His father had finally declared him old enough to help take the sheep to graze. It was no ordinary grazing, though. Mohan and his father belonged to the Gaddi tribe of India. During the summer, the men moved high up into...

Jokes.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... A man had an ear infection, and he told his friend about it. The next day the friend asked the man how he was feeling. "Ear-itated," the man replied. Quentin Young, North Carolina Customer: "There's a fly in my soup!" Waiter:...

Which Takes Longer?
June 1, 2004... To eat your dinner or to brush your teeth? To wash your hands or to take a bath? To read a poem or to write one? To run a mile or to ride your bike that far? To paint a house or to paint a picture?

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

Thinking.
June 1, 2004... * What skills are these players learning? How will those skills help them do better in a game? What can the coaches do to help? * Why is it harder to shoot or pass or dribble during a game than during a practice session? What other skills...

Goldfish.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... Goldfish [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ryan Welsh, Age 4 North Carolina

The Nature Band.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... The Nature Band Pit-pat, pit-pat goes the rain on the roof. Whoosh-swoosh, whoosh-swoosh goes the wind by the window. Pit-whoosh-pat-swoosh goes the nature band. Bang-clap, bang-clap is what the fans...

Sunsets.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Sunsets The beanstalk is growing, and I picked my first flower. I'm walking my dog alongside the sunset. I'm walking far, and in the forest I see one tree. Now I'm almost home, and the sunset is...

Fox.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... Fox [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Luke Kingsley Age 5 Idaho

Hello, Stranger.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Hello, Stranger (This poem is a story written for my grandfather, who passed away before my birth.) Hello, Stranger! I don't know who you are. Don't know what you really look like Or what you sound like. All I...

Tears.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Tears As I wave good-bye, my tears flow like a river going downstream. When one tear falls off, another takes its place like a waterfall. Joshua Mirsky, Age 9 New York

The Crickets' Beautiful Song.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... The Crickets' Beautiful Song The crickets are singing tonight. Listen and hear. They're singing a song of joy, they're singing a song of peace, they're singing a song of God. I do not know the name of the...

A Walk in the Park.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... A Walk in the Park [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kailey Hammer, Age 13

Stories.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Stories To write a story, you have to think and think. To write a story, you need a pencil and some paper. To write a story, you need a head. To write a story, you need a heart. Silver McAdams, Age...

Mom and Dad.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Mom and Dad When I am feeling bad, Who's there to help me? Mom and Dad. They're the best, no matter what! I love you, Mom and Dad. Thank you. Dylan Lathrop, Age 6 South Carolina

My Guinea Pig.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... My Guinea Pig, Cricket [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sean McCleary, Age 9

My Amusement Park.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... My Amusement Park My amusement park my roller-coaster emotions go topsy-turvy tossing me back and forth a storm of sadness, happiness frustration, joy My ferris-wheel emotions go round...

Mail Delivery.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... Mail Delivery [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Alex Noseworthy, Age 6 New Brunswick

It doesn't matter what you look like.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... It doesn't matter what you look like. It doesn't matter what you wear. It matters what you do and say. It matters what you do and say! Ashley Willis, Age 6 South Carolina

Alicia.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... Alicia [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Christina Wenni, Age 12 California

Courage Is for Everyone.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
June 1, 2004... Courage Is for Everyone Firefighters, police, soldiers, too-- They all show courage. And so can you! To save a kitty from a tree, That's a sign of bravery. Even in the dark, dark night, Try to do whatever is...

My Baby Sister.(Our Own Pages)
June 1, 2004... My Baby Sister [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Victoria Greenleaf, Age 9 Massachusetts

Paul Revere and the mystery on Breed's Hill: the Battle of Breed's Hill took place on June 17, 1775. The mystery was solved ten months later.
June 1, 2004... On a spring day in 1776, a shovel bit into the earth of Breed's Hill, overlooking the town of Boston. The men doing the digging didn't have to work long. They soon struck what they were looking for--bones. First one, then two skeletons...

The mysterious missing peanuts.(Short Story)
June 1, 2004... "Jonathan, I'm sure glad you came to visit this summer. I have a mystery for you." "I love mysteries, Uncle Pat!" "Well, last night I put a bowl of peanuts on the table. This morning the bowl was empty. I can't figure out what happened...

Let the sun hold your photos and notes.(You Can Make It!)
June 1, 2004... 1. From cardboard, cut out a 2-inch circle and a 3-inch circle. 2. Glue five craft sticks to the large circle. Glue a clothespin to the end of each craft stick (see diagram). The clothespins will hold the notes. 3. From paper or felt,...

Craft challenge!(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Summer is here! Use paper palets, yarn and tape to make a sun hat.

Help Dad get organized.(You Can Make It!)
June 1, 2004... 1. Select several paper tubes of different sizes. Cut construction paper or wrapping paper to cover each tube. Leave an extra inch of paper at the ends of each tube. 2. Glue the paper to the tubes. Tuck the overlapping paper inside each...

These mice are fast!(You Can Make It!)
June 1, 2004... 1. From construction paper, cut out two mouse ears, whiskers, an oval belly, and a tail. 2. Glue the mouse features onto a cotton ball. Add wiggle eyes and a tiny pompom nose, or make eyes and a nose from felt or paper. 3. Glue yarn...

Hang your keys on trees.(You Can Make It!)
June 1, 2004... 1. Collect several sticks, then bundle them together. Wrap yarn or twine tightly around the ends, then tie it in place. 2. With an adult's help, twist pushpins into the sticks where the key chains will hang. 3. Decorate the key holder...

This trinket holder keeps your treasures safe.(You Can Make It!)
June 1, 2004... 1. Cut out flower heads, stems, and leaves from felt. Glue these around the outside of a small clean glass jar. 2. Cut a long felt strip to fit around the neck of the jar, then glue it in place. 3. From green felt, cut a circle larger...

Do you think they shrink?(Science Corner )
June 1, 2004... Cut a paper plate in half and cut the rim off one of the halves. Cut the rim exactly in half so that the two sections are identical in size and shape. Place one piece just above the other, as in the photograph. Do the two pieces still look...

I wonder ... how an oyster can make a pearl.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Oysters live under the water. Each one makes two hard shells that it can open and close around itself. Sometimes a grain of sand gets into the oyster's home. The sand grain is scratchy and irritating. So the oyster covers it with the same shiny...

Dinosaur days.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... We don't usually dig deep at all. Most fossils are found right on the surface. Over many years, rock from dinosaur times can be pushed up to the surface. Then wind or rain can wear away the rock that holds the bones. We start digging when just...

Chasing a shadow.(Science Corner)
June 1, 2004... The flagpole casts a shadow on the ground. Since the sun travels from east to west, what direction does the flagpole s shadow travel--east to west or west to east? Answers: The flagpole's shadow moves from west to east. Because light...

A cave is a home.(Poem)
June 1, 2004... A cave is a home for bats and bugs and spiders, too. A pond is a home for frogs and fish and spiders, too. A garden is a home for butterflies and snails and spiders, too. A tree is a home for squirrels and birds and spiders, too....

From pit to pond: our backyard had a huge hole!
June 1, 2004... When my dad began building our home, he needed dirt to fill in around the base of the house. He hired someone with a backhoe to dig up more dirt. "Dig down there," Dad told the man pointing to a low spot in our backyard "Then haul the dirt...

Headwork.
June 1, 2004... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. Make your body look like the letter T. Who is the quietest person in your family? Do you eat ice cream with a spoon or with a fork? ...

Tiny skeletons.(Science Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... What is coral made from? Clarissa Rhule, Age 10 Maryland The coral that we usually see is made of calcium carbonate, the same stuff that makes up chalk, limestone, and marble. A piece of coral is a bunch of skeletons left by tiny,...

Earth doesn't dry up.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Why is there always the same amount of water on the Earth when it is always evaporating? Adrian Gordon, Age 12 Mississippi Water is one of the great examples of how Earth recycles. Water on Earth's surface evaporates, making water...

Check ... and double check.
June 1, 2004... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] These are at least sixteen differences in these two pictures. How many can you find?

Fairy lights.(Short Story)
June 1, 2004... My little sister, Megan, said that she wasn't afraid of the dark anymore. She said she'd be OK staying with Aunt Lil and Uncle Scott in the country. "As long as you're there, Michael," she had said. Still, Mom was worried. Megan had never...

Underwater swimming.(Dear Highlights)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... One day I went to my friend's pool. She taught me how to swim underwater. I did it. But the next time she invited me over, I couldn't do it. Can you help me? Kellie C., Maryland It sounds as if you were a bit unsure about doing it the...

Computer time.(Dear Highlights)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Whenever I want to play on the computer, my brother tells me to leave so he can play. What can I do? Luda K., Washington This must be a common problem among siblings because we receive many letters similar to yours. The fair thing...

Hard to ignore.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Some of the kids in my classroom insult me. What should I do? Jim G., Pennsylvania You might think of teasing as being like a firecracker: the more you "explode," or show that you are upset, the more fun it is for the persons doing the...

Being a big brother.(Dear Highlights)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2004... Do you have any tips for being a good big brother? Brian L., California Just spending time with your younger sister or brother will mean a lot. Perhaps you can find some special activities for the two of you to do together. Look for...

The sports page.
June 1, 2004... (1) What do you call a duck who runs track? (2) Why did the barber who played football get penalized? (3) What baseball position is best for lobsters? (4) Why don't golfers usually drink coffee? (5) Why do chickens always rose...