Highlights for Children articles from October 2003

Highlights for Children archives from October 2003

The Night Is a Big Black Cat.(Poem)
October 1, 2003... The Night Is a Big Black Cat The Night is a big black cat, The Moon is her topaz eye, The stars are the mice she hunts at night In the field of the sultry sky.

Find the pictures.
October 1, 2003... Can you find each of these pictures at another place in this book? [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

Dear readers.
October 1, 2003... All of us at Highlights love to read about the surprising things animals do. In this issue, we include two pages of stories about your pets (pages 28-29), as well as a few more articles on animals. Can we have too many articles about animals?...

A fair division: a mathematical folktale from India.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... One very hot day, two farmers named Ram and Shyam sat cross-legged in the shade of a large neem tree. Both had tasty chapatis to eat for lunch. Ram had three pieces of the flat, round Indian bread. Shyam had five. As they were about to begin...

The Timbertoes[R].(Comic)
October 1, 2003... "Once upon a time..." "Not now, Splinter!" "Mabel is mean!" "I'm sorry." "Be quiet, Spot!" "... a brave queen..." Tommy drew a picture. "Me, too." "... there was..." "Go away!" "Look at silly...

Oops, I goofed!
October 1, 2003... We all make mistakes. Luckily, most mistakes aren't serious, and some are downright funny! If you've made a funny mistake that you'd like to tell us about, we'd love to hear from you. Please keep your story shorter than one hundred words. We'll...

Goofus and Gallant[R].
October 1, 2003... Goofus pretends he doesn't see any bullying, and he tells no one. "What's wrong? It's only water, Dad." When Gallant thinks someone is being bullied, he tells an adult. Gallant takes off his wet sneakers at the door.

All animals welcome!
October 1, 2003... Picture a procession of animals--everything from fish and mice and cats and dogs, to turkeys and turtles. Even horses! Every October, animals like these are brought to churches all over the country for a special ceremony called the Blessing of...

What is lint?(Science Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I asked my mom if dryer lint was made from the same stuff as belly-button lint, but she didn't know, Do you? Chris Ryan, Age 9 New Jersey I think those two are made up of the same stuff. And here's why. Our clothing is woven of...

Where garbage goes.(Science Letters)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Where does all the garbage go? Saysha Jackson, Age 9 Georgia Most cities take their garbage to a place that is out of the way, then cover it to make a landfill. Most of the soft waste--like food scraps--is decomposed by bacteria...

Matching.
October 1, 2003... Look at each bag on the left. Find one like it on the right. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED]

For wee folks.
October 1, 2003... * I How could you have fun with these items if you were playing alone? If you were playing with a friend? * Which of these are probably the most playful? Which of these need an engine in order to move? What makes the other things move?...

My mom hates to cook.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... My mom hates to cook. She'd rather tinker with her motorcycle or practice knot tying for rock climbing. She also spends a lot of time with me. Every morning Mom takes me to school. I put on my purple helmet and climb into The Beast. (When...

Dancing scarecrow.(Hidden Pictures[TM])
October 1, 2003... In this big picture find the spoon, mushroom, golf club, safety pin, slice of pie, artist's brush, candle, ice-cream pop, piece of cake, snow shovel, slice of bread, and muffin. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Halloween mix-up.
October 1, 2003... These kids are getting ready for a costume party, but somehow their footwear got mixed up. Find the right footwear for each costume. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Riddles.
October 1, 2003... 1. What do you call a lazy baby kangaroo? Jennifer Carpenter, Texas 2. What did the skeleton buy at the grocery store? Jonathan Weber, Pennsylvania 3. What do you call a group of people playing rubber musical instruments? ...

Down a wombat hole.
October 1, 2003... For fun, American scientist Dr. Faith Walker crawls into wombat holes. Although she would love to meet a wombat, she knows their tunnels are not good meeting places. Wombats look like teddy bears but are built like 50-pound bulldozers....

Thinking.
October 1, 2003... Pioneers traveling into the American West found their way by looking for natural landmarks, and markers or signs left by previous travelers. On major trails, settlers could follow the ruts made by pioneer wagons. * How do you find your way...

The clues add up.
October 1, 2003... Use these clues to solve the problems. Tough * Both numbers are even. * One number is less than four. * Zero is not one of the numbers. * They add up to 12. Tougher * There are three numbers. * Each number...

Beaver.(nature watch)
October 1, 2003... From the Roger Tory Peterson Institute Did You Know? Beavers create ponds and marshes by building dams in creeks and small rivers. Living in these wet places, beavers can swim to their main source of food: trees. A beaver will chew through...

Remembering grandpa.
October 1, 2003... I was seven when my grandpa died. Now as a family therapist, I help children share ways they can honor people they love who have died. I tell ] children that it is OK to feel sad. They will find ways to remember their loved ones, as I did. It...

Jason's pumpkin.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... Jason's heart beat fast as he climbed the steps of the school bus with his class. Red and gold leaves swirled around him. "I'm going to pick the biggest pumpkin there," shouted Keith, crowding Jason from behind. "How big will little...

A cozy mouse to keep your mug warm.(you can make it)
October 1, 2003... 1. To create patterns, first draw a mouse body on paper. Make the body taller and wider than your favorite mug. Next draw separate ear, nose, and tail shapes. 2. Use your patterns to cut two of each shape from felt. 3. Glue or sew the...

Spiders you call.(You Can Make It!)
October 1, 2003... 1. Gently separate a chocolate sandwich cookie. Spread chocolate frosting over the half without the cream filling and set it aside. Put the half with the cream filling in front of you. 2. Cut licorice into 2-inch pieces. Press the ends of...

Pumpkins collide in this collage.(you can make it)
October 1, 2003... 1. From construction paper, cut out orange circles, green pumpkin stems, and black facial features. 2. Cut out two 10-inch squares from clear self-adhesive paper. Peel the paper off one square. Lay it flat on the table, sticky-side up. ...

You're invited to a slumber party.(you can make it)
October 1, 2003... 1. Fold a 6-inch-by-10-inch piece of construction paper in half to make a card. Cut off the top 1 1/2 inches from the front of the card. 2. To make the blanket, glue fabric to the front of the card. 3. To make the sheet, glue a strip of...

One face, two face, red face, blue face.(You Can Make It!)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... 1. Combine 3 teaspoons of cornstarch with 1 1/2 teaspoons of water in a small container with a lid (a baby-food jar works well). 2. Stir in 1 1/2 teaspoons of facial cold cream. If the mixture is too soupy, add a little more cornstarch. ...

Ready? Pull!(Science Corner)
October 1, 2003... Which piano will be easier to lift by pulling on its rope? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The weight with two pulleys will be easier to lift, but you will have to pull the rope twice as far as you lift the weight.

I wonder ... why the cactus has no leaves.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Leaves would dry up ,n the desert home of the cactus. Instead of leaves, the cactus has in its skin a thin layer of the green machinery that all plants use to make their food.

Dinosaur days.(Science Corner)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Write to "Dino Don" Lessem Do you have a dinosaur drawing, joke, question, or other contribution for Dino Don? Include your name, age, and complete address, and mail to Dino Den, HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN, 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA...

1-2-3--melt!(Science Corner)
October 1, 2003... Hold an ice-melting race. Put an ice cube into each glass, as shown. Which melts fastest? Which lasts longest? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

What did the comet say to the sun?(Science Corner)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "See you next time around"

The bear family.
October 1, 2003... Poozy: We have someone new in our class. He's from another country. Dad: What's his name? Woozy: Did he like that? Poozy: I don't think so. He looked sad. Piddy: I'd say his name over and over until I got it right. Poozy:...

Pet stories.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Last April we asked you to tell us about your funny, unusual, brave, and loving pets. Thanks for all your terrific stories! We wish we had room to print every one of them. Here are just a few. My cat and I used to play hide-and-seek in the...

The mystery ghost.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... "Time for bed, boys," said Mom. She closed the bedroom window. "It's supposed to rain the next few nights." Hank wriggled beneath his covers. "I hope there's thunder and lightning and weird noises." In his best monster voice, Randy...

A dinosaur lives, virtually: triceratops walks again.
October 1, 2003... A group of researchers stared at their specimen, a skeleton of Triceratops--the three-horned dinosaur from the Cretaceous period. Usually these creatures were nearly 30 feet long, but to these paleontologists, the dino wasn't any bigger than...

Jokes.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... Steven: "How do you like your teacher?" Britney: "I'm not sure about her." Steven: "Why not?" Britney: "When I went to school this morning, she said, 'Sit up in front for the present.'" Steven: "What's wrong with that?" ...

Sunset.(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Sunset The day is done, A setting sun Is painting evening skies. A masterpiece Has just appeared Before my very eyes.

Headwork.
October 1, 2003... Start at the beginning and see how far you can go, thinking of good answers from your own head. Can you snap your fingers? Try it. What is a baby cat called? Which has more seeds, an apple or a tomato? Name some things that...

A walk on the beach.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... My father and I like to walk on the beach where the wet sand is firm and the waves do not reach. We hunt for some seashells. We look out to sea for sailboats or sea gulls, so graceful, so free. We build a big castle with a tower and wall,...

Uncovering the ghost of Nancy Drew.
October 1, 2003... What would you do if you discovered a secret message--scribbled inside a library book? And what if it was a clue to a mystery you were trying to solve? In 1963, a young library volunteer named Geoffrey Lapin discovered something mysterious...

A pig.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... A Pig Celia Coyle, Age 2 Illinois [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

I Love Dancing.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... I Love Dancing I love doing baton, tap dance, and gymnastics. I think all of those are just fantastic. I can do figure-eights really fast. Back handsprings are what we do last. My favorite tap...

Watching the Sunset.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Watching the Sunset Lily Xian, Age 8 New York [ILLUSTATION OMITTED]

Halloween Mystery.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Halloween Mystery What lights the night as you walk toward the door? What can sit on top of a table or sit along the floor? What has a face that can smile or that could wear a frown? His face is always...

Me, Catching a Fish.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Me, Catching a Fish Logan Weber, Age 9 Michingan [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Tiger at dusk.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Tiger at Dusk Allie Scherger, Age 5 Kansas [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

My Grandad.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... My Grandad His eyes as bright as the deep blue sea, And his smile as big as a pot of gold, His face as nice as the morning dew, I used to tell him, "I love you!" Grandma was so nice to him, It gave him a...

Hello, Friend.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Hello, Friend Hello, friend. Come on and play By the old bend. Let's play all day. Hello, friend. The sun is shining. We'll play in the park Where the birds are flying. Hello, friend. ...

The Sun.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... The Sun When the sun is happy, he shines his sun rays. But when he is sad, his tears are rain. Elijah Bingham, Age 6 California

Flowerpot.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Flowerpot Ameya Sukhthankar Age 10 India [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

My Dolphin, Skippy.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... My Dolphin, Skippy Hailey Rogers, Age 8 Ohio [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

My Baby Sister, Henia.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... My Baby Sister, Henia Hope Grajcar, Age 10 New Jersey [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

His Dreams.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... His Dreams Sometimes in his dreams He sees stars in the sky Falling to the earth And forming giant trees On which hang keys.-If he can reach them They will Become the ultimate treasure Of his whole...

My House.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... My House Always warm and cozy Smells good, like pizza Sometimes loud, during football season Fun, like recess Game night and movies My clean room Most of all, my family, whom I love. Alexander Stewart,...

The Synagogue.(Our Own Pages)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2003... The Synagogue The synagogue makes me feel cozy and safe, relaxed, and watched over. I hear the rabbi talk with his soft and gentle voice. I look at the menorah and the Ten Commandments. They make me feel strong and powerful. Looking at the...

Fire Truck.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Fire Truck Charlie Michael, Age 4 China [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Night Sounds.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... Night Sounds At night, I put on my pj's and try to go to sleep. But before I go to sleep, I hear an owl hooting, I hear crickets humming, I hear rain falling, I hear helicopters flying, I hear cars going...

The Silly Lizards.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... The Silly Lizards Robert Blair, Age 7 Utah [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

A Day in the Sky.(Our Own Pages)(Poem)
October 1, 2003... A Day in the Sky The cold-hearted Rain teases the shadows, hitting them with his long, soaked arms. The shadows quickly scurry away. The Sun, king of the sky, has seen this many times before, and sends one of his servants, the...

Going to the Ball.(Our Own Pages)
October 1, 2003... Going to the Ball [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Allison Buell, Age 8 Nebraska

Saturday changes.(Short Story)
October 1, 2003... The alarm jangled as Rosa peered at the clock. Seven-thirty. Too early for a Saturday! She looked out her bedroom window. It was still raining. The gray trees were slick and bare. Rosa sighed and thought about Saturdays in El Salvador, when...

Paying attention.(in class)
October 1, 2003... At school I have trouble paying attention. Can you help me? Jeremy O., Indiana You might want to talk privately with your teacher about this problem. Perhaps you are being distracted by others around you. Your teacher may decide to...

Choosing a movie.(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... When we want to watch a movie, we all disagree on what to watch. What should we do? Zachary L., Minnesota Making group decisions can be frustrating. Perhaps you and the others could agree to take turns choosing the movie. So if you...

Which group?(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... I am one of the "geek" kids, but I have some popular friends. My one friend told me I'd better make up my mind who to hang with. I get along with both groups. What should I do? Mary S., Pennsylvania It's important not to put people...

Friend "borrows".(Dear Highlights)(Letter to the Editor)
October 1, 2003... My friend uses my markers and I don't want her to. She even opens my box and uses them without my permission. I don't want to hurt her feelings, so what should I do? Shara M., Wisconsin It's nice that you do not want to hurt your...

Mystery photos.
October 1, 2003... How many of these common items can you identify? [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. Harmonica. 2. Eggs in a carton. 3. Trash container. 4. Nail file. 5. Swing set. 6. Peas.