Highlights for Children articles from March 2004

Highlights for Children archives from March 2004

Feather or Fur.(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Feather or Fur When you watch for Feather or fur Feather or fur Do not stir Do not stir. Feather or fur Come crawling Creeping Some come peeping Some by night And some by day. Most...

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

Dear readers.(Editorial)
March 1, 2004... As I walked in the woods near my home the other day, I had fun softly chanting some of the words from the poem on page two: "When you watch for feather or fur, feather or fur, do not stir, do not stir." I even found myself walking to the rhythm...

Grow spring sprouts.(Try This!)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Want to watch a seed swell, put down roots, and lift its leaves toward the sun? Follow the steps below to begin your sprouting adventure. 1. Cut a piece of black construction paper the size of a zipper-top sandwich bag. Slip the sheet...

How to use an umbrella.(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... Happy birthday, Mrs. Cottontail!" said Raccoon. He handed her a big box wrapped in striped paper. "Thank you, Raccoon," said Mrs. Cottontail. "Please have a piece of my birthday cake while I open the gift you brought." "I hope you...

Purple water.(Holi festival)
March 1, 2004... How would you like to be dumped into a vat of purple water? It happened to me on my first visit to India. I was seven years old and had no warning at all. Boy, did I cry! All around me my aunts, uncles, and grandparents were laughing. Tearful...

The Timbertoes.(Comic)(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... Tommy and Spot were walking. Tommy found a strange plant. He decided to climb it. Up and up he climbed. Spot wanted him to come down. Tommy kept climbing. He couldn't see the ground. "Help!" A bird heard...

Thinking.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... * Each artist is using a different material to create a version of the dog on the table. How is each version different? How are they alike? What material would you like to work with if you were in this class? * How else could an artist...

The artist's eye: even at nine months of age, Georgia O'Keefe noticed details that many people don't see.
March 1, 2004... Did you ever think you might like to be an artist? Perhaps you have done a drawing that everyone praised. What was it that made your drawing special? Could it be that you saw the subject more clearly than most people? You may have noticed...

Last snow.(Hidden Pictures[TM])
March 1, 2004... In this big picture find the glove, dinosaur, hamster, ladle, heart, cane, candle, toothbrush, snake, ice-cream cone, needle, and duck. dinosaur needle glove duck ladle snake ice-cream cone hamster ...

Stand up.
March 1, 2004... Which of these have legs? Eyes? Arms? Hinges? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Think it over.
March 1, 2004... What's the difference between... * driving a nail and driving a car? * painting a picture and painting a house? * catching a football and catching a cold? * feeling a breeze and feeling tired? * playing sick and playing...

Jokes.
March 1, 2004... Camp counselor: "This is a dogwood tree." Camper: "How can you tell?" Camp counselor: "By its bark." Hailey Blevins, Michigan Waiter: "Would you like more turkey?" Teddy bear: "No, thanks. I'm stuffed." Steven Mullan,...

What gold brings.(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... Looking out his bakery window, Sean sighed. Michael O'Donnell was on his way, surrounded by an admiring crowd. Michael burst into the shop and ordered a loaf of Sean's finest bread, then spoke of his favorite subject--himself. "Sure and...

Wild west ride: an action rhyme.
March 1, 2004... Cowboy Sam and his ten-gallon hat (Pat head.) Climbed on a horse, and there they sat. (Swing leg as if climbing onto a horse.) Along came a snake. (Slide arm in S movement.) Away went the horse. (Push arms out in front.) "Whoa...

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

Kids made these: here are some craft ideas that kids sent to us.
March 1, 2004... Zoodles 1. Glue two 3-inch-by-3-inch pieces of paper together. This is Zoodles's body. 2. On another piece of paper, draw Zoodles's head, a tail, eight strips for legs, and two short strips for his neck. 3. Color them, then cut...

Friendship stories.
March 1, 2004... You never know when you're going to make a friend! "How we met" stories behind friendships can be funny, serious, or unusual. Would you like to share a story about how you and a friend first met? We'd like to hear it. Stories should...

The earth breathed fire.
March 1, 2004... On a stormy night in December 1943, Masao Mimatsu felt a jolt. His house shook. An earthquake! He looked through the swirling snow to Mount Usu, less than two miles away. Mount Usu was a volcano, but it had been quiet for 33 years. Was it going...

Stampede!(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... Anna poured coffee from the tin pot as the evening sunlight flickered on the prairie. She hated being stuck helping Rufus, the cook. What Anna loved best was riding. Ever since Mama had died, Anna had ridden on Papa's cattle drives. At...

What are your favorite books?
March 1, 2004... One of my favorite books is Puppy Love by Dick King-Smith. I love it because it is all about puppies and dogs and teaches you how to take good care of them. There are many pictures of different kinds of cute dogs. You can learn a lot about them...

Which one feels cooler?(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... A metal spoon and a block of wood lie next to each other in a room. Which one will feel cooler? ANSWERS: Which One Feels Cooler? The spoon feels cooler than the wood, even though they are both room temperature. Both objects are...

See the point?(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Look at an object across the room. With both eyes open, point a finger at the object. Hold your finger steady. Close your right eye. Then open your right eye and close your left eye. What happens? Try it again from the beginning to be sure you...

I wonder ... why deer lick the cows' salt block.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Deer and cows need salt to be healthy. But they eat only plants, and plants give barely enough salt to meet the animals' needs. So both deer and cows are always looking for more salt.

Dinosaur days.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Did dinosaurs get sick? Kalyn Robbins, Age 8 Massachusetts Dinosaurs certainly got sick. Some fossils show bony scars and other signs of arthritis, cancer, and infections from broken bones. Many other sicknesses did not leave...

Audrey takes her time.(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... Audrey smoothed her paper. She closed her eyes and decided what to draw. As she opened them, Charlie ran up to Mrs. Kane and handed her a piece of paper. "Done!" he said, racing toward the door. The teacher taped his picture on the wall. It was...

Five Little Wishes for You.(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Five Little Wishes for You One for a song unending, One for a sky of blue. One for a friend forever. One for a dream come true. And one for joy and laughter In everything you do. --JoAnn Early Macken ...

Goofus and Gallant[R].
March 1, 2004... When Goofus breaks something, he hopes no one will find out. "I'm sorry, Grandpa. I accidentally tore this page when I turned it." "Cool! A bird's nest with eggs in it! I'll keep this in the shed." Gallant watches but doesn't...

Let curiosity lead you.(Flashbacks)
March 1, 2004... When I was growing up, I was interested in science and math and computers. I loved finding out how things worked. At fifteen, I bought myself a computer and took it apart. Those were the days when you could take the top off and, with the...

My Mom's Garden.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... My Mom's Garden [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Shannon Jackson, Age 9 Maryland

My Dad.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... My Dad My dad makes me feel special My dad encourages me. We laugh and play every day. My dad takes care of me. When I feel scared, he makes me feel safe. When I do something good, he congratulates. ...

Fabulous Chicken Above the Rainbow Hill.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... The Fabulous Chicken Above the Rainbow Hill [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jill Stark, Age 6 Tennessee

Bumblebee.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... Bumblebee [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Matthew McArthur, Age 6 Ontario

Clouds.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Clouds Clouds, mysterious puffy waves as white as marshmallows, surround the skies, leaving a path for God's gleaming eyes to shine through. And to me on snowy days, clouds are crystals of heaven ...

Petals gleaming in the sun.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Petals gleaming in the sun And dripping with wather in the morning dew, Sparkling in the rain-- A flower for you! Imogen Hoare, Age 7 Brazil

Snowflake.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Snowflake shine snowflake in the sky a winter laugh falls Alyssa Comer, Age 8 California

A Sunset.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... A Sunset A sunset is a mix of colors on an artist's tray, with mixes of oranges, pinks, reds, and yellows. When artists paint, the brush travels along the paper. The sun is like a paintbrush, ...

Still is the water.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Still is the water, suddenly interrupted by a skipping stone. Katy Struckmann, Age 10 New Hampshire

Fish in the Sea.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... Fish in the Sea Ashley Howell, Age 9 Wisconsin

My Rooster.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... My Rooster My rooster is colorful. My rooster is black. This is a rooster That doesn't attack! My rooster is handsome. My rooster is king. This is a rooster That has everything! My rooster has hens....

I am a crystal blue.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... I am a crystal blue waterfall banging against the water like a drum. David Wiebenga, Age 10 Colorado

Pappy and Grammy in Pennsylvania.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... Pappy and Grammy in Pennsylvania [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Bailey Luna, Age 4 Florida

I'm Too Loud.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... I'm Too Loud When I whisper, I talk. When I talk, I yell. When I yell, I scream. When I scream, it's just too loud! Millie Ernst, Age 8 Ohio

A Dancing Dream.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... A Dancing Dream [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Melissa Robinson, Age 9 Utah

Fish.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Fish Flying through water I stick the paddle in They disappear. Sarah Elkayam, Age 7 New York

Piano.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... Piano The piano is fun to play. It makes you happy-- and everybody else. It cheers you up when you're feeling down. The music will make you smart, and it will make the world have peace. Steven Liu...

A Hungry Lizard.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... A Hungry Lizard [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Harrison Hopper, Age 7 Mississippi

A Poem Is Like.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
March 1, 2004... A Poem Is Like A poem is like the ocean because wave upon wave of ideas come crashing in upon the bank of your mind. The big one waits around the corner until you're about to leave, then it knocks you down....

My Painting.(Our Own Pages)
March 1, 2004... My Painting [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Rose Robb, Age 7 Michigan

Time to change clothes: new clothes for birds.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... Isn't it fun to take off your sweaters and change into T-shirts every spring? Some birds change their "clothes" in spring, too. They do it by molting. Molting means losing old feathers and getting new feathers to replace them. New feathers...

For wee folks.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... * These kids are learning to be safe around water. Soon they will be able to swim. * Why is it important to learn how to swim? * Have you ever been afraid of the water? How might taking swimming lessons make a child feel less afraid?...

A bit o'Blarney.(You Can Make It!)
March 1, 2004... In 1446, the limestone Blarney Stone was set in the Blarney Castle tower. Legend says that if you kiss the Blarney Stone, you will be able to speak convincingly without offending (the gift of "blarney"). This game will test your "blarney"...

Recycle junk into jewelry.(You Can Make It!)
March 1, 2004... 1. For the medallion base, cut out a cardboard circle. 2. Tear colorful paper into pieces. Glue the torn paper to the base. 3. Mix equal parts of glue and water. Paint the medallion with two coats of the mixture. Let the medallion dry...

Arfy birthday to you!(You Can Make It!)
March 1, 2004... 1. From construction paper, cut out a dog's head, two ears, and a tongue. Trace and cut out a second "snout" shade. 2. Glue the top edge of the second snout shape to the back of the dog's head to give the dog a mouth that opens. 3. Use...

Brighten someone's day.(You Can Make It!)
March 1, 2004... 1. Cut a cloth circle big enough to overlap the lid of a small jar. Glue the cloth to the lid. Add decorations. 2. Select some precut craft-foam shapes, or cut out your own. 3. Write a short note of appreciation or encouragement on each...

Going buggy?(You Can Make It!)
March 1, 2004... 1. Color a craft stick. 2. From construction paper, cut out a bug's head and two antennae. Glue the antennae to the head, then glue the head to one end of the stick. 3. Use a hole punch to make two white paper circles for eyes. Glue...

Find the misfit.
March 1, 2004... In each group, which animal does not fit with the others? cougar koala lion monkey tiger gorilla fox orangutan leopard baboon sparrow cod...

Try this party game.
March 1, 2004... This is a good game for a group. Everyone sits in a circle. The first person performs some action, the next player repeats that action and adds something new, and so on around the circle. For example, the first player claps his hands. The...

Riddles.
March 1, 2004... l. How do monkeys stay in shape? Teresa Sazio, California 2. Voiceless it cries, wingless it flutters, toothless it bites, mouthless it mutters. What is it? David Lentz, Ohio 3. How does a quiet Hawaiian laugh? Kiersten...

No letter today?
March 1, 2004... When Alex moved away, he promised to send Jake a letter. Jake checked the mailbox every day. "No letter today?" Dad asked. "Come on, let's play ball." "No letter today?" asked Jake's sister the next day. "Come on, let's fly our kites." ...

Swingin' invention.(Science Letters)
March 1, 2004... Who invented pumping in and out to keep a swing moving? Grace Stewart, Age 10 New York I don't know of any record in history of who first did that. My guess is that it was someone about you age who wanted to keep swinging and...

Smelly roaches.(Science Letters)
March 1, 2004... Why are cockroaches dirty, and why do they smell bad? Natalie Castillo, Age 11 California Cockroaches do often have a bad odor, but not always. And they are not always dirty. I most often meet a cockroach at night in the middle of the...

Sticky glue.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2004... What is it that makes glue sticky? Ivan Roth, Age 5 Wisconsin Sticky things like glue are called adhesives. They can be made in different ways, but they all work in somewhat the same way. Many kinds of molecules are naturally...

Headwork.
March 1, 2004... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. Can you swim? Which can you put on more quickly, your shoes or a hat? Where are your elbows? Name some animals that have wings....

Ready, set ... flop!(Short Story)
March 1, 2004... "You're serious?" Hershel looked me in the eye and said, "Jesse, I'm not joking." "You're going out for track?" He nodded. "So, will you help me train?" I rolled my eyes and said, "You know me--I am so not into team sports!"...

Tough decision.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I have a friend at school who does not like some kids that I want to be friends with. He tells me not to be friends with them. I asked him to be friends with them, but he said no. What should I do? Vincent R., West Virginia It's great...

Who's the best?(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I can't decide which of my two friends should be my best friend. Can you help? Danny S., Iowa It's wonderful that you have two good friends. Instead of having a "best" friend, how about having two "great" friends? You might even have...

Sister sings (a lot).(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... My sister likes to sing, but sometimes she sings too much when I do my homework. What am I supposed to do? Alexandria A., California Sometimes people who like to sing don't even realize they are singing so much. It's a natural part of...

To camp or not!(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... My mom asked me if I wanted to go to a basketball camp with my brother. I want to go, but I'm not very good. I know it's for learning, but most of the kids there are very good. So what should I say? Zoe G., Texas It is understandable...

Picture puns.
March 1, 2004... What common word or phrase does each picture represent? [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] "Picture Puns" 1. Dinner for two. 2. Once in a while. 3. T-shirt. 4. Pineapple upside-down cake. 5. Just between you and me. 6. Too many cooks. 7. Sign...