Highlights for Children (December 2017)

DECEMBER 2017
www.Highlights.com























Get





COZY!






































4 SNOWMAN




AWESOME

Stacking Cups
ICE LANTERNS


Page 22 Page 35

Fun This Month
Fun This Month






Bundle Up!


Brrr! It’s windy outside.
Sasha is giving each dog
on her sled team a coat.
Following the visible number
pattern, what number coat
should the dog in back have? Put On an
Indoor Concert


Pick the songs you’ll
perform. You may want to
choose your tunes around
a certain theme or style of
music. Be sure to practice!

Make and send invitations
to your friends and family.

Prepare after-show
refreshments, like punch,
brownies, or sliced fruit.
Answer on page 38.
Season for card ideas Decorate your performance
See page 34
area with streamers, lights,
or paper cutouts. With your
and page 30
of Giving for a cookie parents’ help, hang up a
recipe!
sheet for a stage curtain.
Smiles are better shared! Smile and have fun!
This year, give homemade The stage is yours.
gifts, such as cards or baked
goods. Who would enjoy
receiving them? A favorite
teacher? A neighbor? Residents
at your local nursing home? Find the
Ask your parents for ideas.
Pictures
Tongue Twister Can you find each
Mystery Photo Nick picks bricks. of these 12 pictures

at another place in
this magazine?




Answer on page 38.

Dear Reader By Christine French Cully

Editor in Chief
DECEMBER 2017 • VOLUME 72 • NUMBER 12 • ISSUE NO. 794
Founded in 1946 by Garry C. Myers, Ph.D.,
and Caroline Clark Myers
Editor in Chief: Christine French Cully
Vice President, Magazine Group Editorial: Jamie Bryant
Creative Director: Marie O’Neill
Editor: Judy Burke Thank a
Art Director: Patrick Greenish, Jr.
Senior Editor: Joëlle Dujardin
Associate Editor: Linda K. Rose
Assistant Editor: Allison Kane
Copy Editor: Joan Prevete Hyman Firefighter
Editorial Assistant: Channing Kaiser
Senior Production Artist: Dave Justice
Contributing Science Editor: Andrew Boyles
Once, I had to call firefighters
Editorial Offices: 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431-1895.
E-mail: eds@highlights.com. to put out a fire. It was a small fire,
To submit manuscripts, go to Highlights.submittable.com.
(Writers younger than 16: please use the postal address above.) but I remember how fast it made my
CEO: Kent S. Johnson heart beat. I was glad and grateful
Vice President, International: Andy Shafran
Senior Editor, International: Julie Stoehr when the firefighters put it out quickly.
Business Offices: 1800 Watermark Drive,
P.O. Box 269, Columbus, OH 43216-0269. Firefighters help in all kinds of emergencies. While
Copyright © 2017, Highlights for Children, Inc. watching the news today, I saw firefighters carrying people
All rights reserved.
from their flooded homes. Often, they are the first helpers
HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN is published monthly.
ISSN 0018-165X (print) on the scene of an accident. Some firefighters train to
ISSN 2330-6920 (online)
Designed for use in the classroom. assist people (and pets!) who fall into frozen lakes. You can
Sometimes we make our list of customer names and addresses read about these brave men and women, their practice
available to carefully screened companies whose products and
services might be of interest to you. We never provide children’s drills, and their special ice suits in “Danger! Rescue
names. If you do not wish to receive these mailings, please contact
us and include your account number.
on Thin Ice” (pages 32–33).
Printed by RR Donnelley, Glasgow, KY.
Where would we be without first responders?
Periodical postage paid at Columbus, Ohio;
Toronto, Ontario; and at additional mailing offices. Maybe you’ll join me this month in finding a
U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes to Highlights for Children,
P.O. Box 6038, Harlan, IA 51593-1538. way to thank them. Delivering a card, a
Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065670. Return drawing, or a plate of cookies to your local
undeliverable Canadian addresses to P.O. Box 99 Stn. Main, Milton,
ON L9T 9Z9.
fire, police, or ambulance station could
To order, make a payment, change your address,
or for other customer-service needs, such as changing be the start of a new tradition for your
your contact preference, please contact us:
family—and our heroes will appreciate it.
• Online: www.Highlights.com
• Call: 1-800-255-9517 Happy holidays!

• Write: P.O. Box 5878, Harlan, IA 51593-1378
As part of our mission to help make the world a better place Your friend,
for the children of today and tomorrow, Highlights is committed
to making responsible business decisions that will protect our
natural resources and reduce our environmental impact.
AWARDS Highlights has been given awards by The Association Write to me!
of Educational Publishers, The Education Center, LLC, Family
Choice Awards, Freedoms Foundation, Graphic Arts Association, Christine@Highlights.com
iParenting Media, Magazine Design and Production, National
Association for Gifted Children, National Conference of Christians
and Jews, National Parenting Center, National Safety Council,
Parents’ Choice, Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Awards, and
Printing Industry Association. HighlightsKids.com is a participant in
the Kids Privacy Safe Harbor program of the Children’s Advertising
Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
This magazine of wholesome fun
is dedicated to helping children grow in basic skills and knowledge,
in creativeness, in ability to think and reason,
in sensitivity to others, in high ideals and worthy ways of living—
®
for children are the world’s most important people .

December








Dear Highlights,


“BINGO!”
December is
Bingo’s birthday

with friends!
—Ginny, California month. Play it
We understand how you feel, Ginny. Try these ideas!
1 When your mom 2 Try to understand 3 With your mom,
is free, ask about this. her decision. Your mom come up with other
Listen to her answer. wants to keep you safe! ways you can have fun.















16 28 27




6 BrainPlay 10 Goofus and Gallant ® This is my
Which colors do you Stressing about quizzes. chicken Leaf
wear the most? Eater. She
11 Gallant Kids likes to be on
7 Tick, Tock Alex Hart-Upendo brings her back.
Get ready to celebrate! joy to others. Delia Sweeney

Age 6 • Oregon
12 My Sci
8 Strange Musical machinery in action.
Footprints 18 Awesome
®
in the Snow 14 Hidden Pictures Animal Stories
Jonathan has a Puzzle See more animal stories
from creative kids like Delia.
mystery to solve. A wild workshop!
19 Create Your Own
15 Jokes Game
Sunglasses for the teacher.
Invent a game and tell us
about it!
16 The Christmas
Candles 21 Lost and Found
During wartime, Charles Will can’t find his lucky
wants to share light. key chain.

Easy


Does It!
Patches of algae grow
on the slow-moving
manatee. Drift over to
page 27 to learn
more!









22 Ice Lanterns 36 Your Own Pages
Create a warm glow Mr. Prickles, meet Spikezilla!
on a cold day.
38 Riddles
24 When the White House Why did the apple
Celebrates Hanukkah go to the gym?
. . . There are latkes, of course!
39 The Timbertoes ®
27 Nature Watch A surprise dinner.
Get to know the manatee.
43 Picture Puzzler
28 A Bunch of Maybes 31 Paws and Think Candy-cane chaos!
What will Kevin tell Grandpa Visit a busy warehouse.
about the dent in his trumpet?
30 “Stained Glass” 32 Danger! Rescue
Cookies on Thin Ice
Art you can eat! A firefighter’s job isn’t
always hot.
34 Crafts
Crayon ornaments for
Christmas, and more.


DECEMBER 2017 5

START If you could listen to just one instrument, which would it be?


Take your brain
Is that a
on a hike!
watermelon
shark
I hear?
Name foods
that some
people What is the
use for difference
decoration. between
NOM HEARING Name some
and
NOM LISTENING? jobs that
NOM animals have.


Which story that
you’ve read or heard
is most like your life?


Would you rather

take a shower
or a bath?
What do you Why?
waste? How Which colors do
c
i
h colors d
o

W
h
could you you wear the most?
st

you wear t
he mo
?
stop? WH Y ?
WHY?
THE
END!


Which of your fingers
do you think is
strongest?
What kind
What kinds of gifts might be of contest
easy to figure out from their would be
shape? From their sounds? just right


6 DECEMBER 2017 for you?

Tick,




Tock







By Lori Mortensen
Art by Emily Fox


Tick, tock. Watch the clock.
Ready, set? No, not yet.



Tick, tock. Watch the clock.
Ready, set? No, not yet.
Rum, tum. Bang a drum.








Tick, tock. Watch the clock.
Ready, set? No, not yet.
Rum, tum. Bang a drum.
Ring a chime. What’s the time?


Tick, tock. Watch the clock.
Ready, set? No, not yet.
Rum, tum. Bang a drum.
Ring a chime. What’s the time?
Jump and shout! The year’s run out!







“Happy New Year!”









DECEMBER 2017 7

Strange







Footprints



in the Snow


By Elizabeth Glann
Art by Karl West







He looked out the window. Fresh
snow covered the ground. He could
hardly wait to go outside.
Jonathan dressed and hurried

downstairs to the kitchen.
“Hi, sleepyhead,” said Aunt Gwen.
“Julie has already eaten her oatmeal.
She’s outside.”
“That’s where I’m
going as soon as I finish
breakfast,” Jonathan said.
A short time later, he zipped
up his coat, tugged on his boots,

and walked out the front door. The
sun made the snow sparkle.
He looked around. He didn’t see
his sister, but he saw something else.
Strange footprints in the snow tracked
across Aunt Gwen’s yard.



Jonathan woke up and looked around. “They’re way too big to be
For a moment, he wasn’t sure where Julie’s. They look like they
he was. Then he remembered. He belong to a dinosaur.”
and his sister, Julie, were visiting
Aunt Gwen. They had spent yesterday “They’re way too big to be Julie’s.
helping Aunt Gwen clean her basement. They look like they belong to a
Today they would have time to play. dinosaur,” Jonathan said. Then he


8 DECEMBER 2017

None of the photos
in the book looked like

the footprints in
Aunt Gwen’s yard.





“Maybe the animal is still here,”

he whispered. Quietly, he began
following the footprints. He didn’t
want to scare the animal away.
added, “But that’s silly. Dinosaurs He had almost reached the backyard
are not around anymore.” when he heard something. Swish,
He looked closer. The footprints were clomp, swish, clomp. He peeked around
the shape of a very large oval with a the corner of the house.

stem. Maybe they belong to an elephant That was when he saw
or a hippo that escaped from the zoo, her—his sister, Julie.
he thought. He held his breath and
listened. He didn’t hear anything. Swish, clomp,
He remembered a book he’d seen swish, clomp.
earlier on Aunt Gwen’s shelf. It was a He peeked
book about animal tracks. He dashed around the
inside to get it. The book had pictures corner of
of animals and the tracks they made.
the house.
He turned the pages one by one,
but none of the photos looked like the She had something
footprints in Aunt Gwen’s yard. weird on each foot.
He stared at those footprints again. They looked like giant
An animal that made such big tracks tennis rackets with short handles.
would have to be heavy. Its tracks Julie waved. “See what I found
should sink far down into the snow. in Aunt Gwen’s basement? They’re

Yet these footprints seemed to skim old-fashioned snowshoes. Aunt Gwen
across the top. said the shape helps you walk on top
How can that be? he wondered. of the snow.”
Jonathan noticed something else. Jonathan laughed. “No wonder I
The tracks never left Aunt Gwen’s couldn’t find these footprints in Aunt
yard. Instead, they turned and went Gwen’s book!” There was no page for
around the house. a snowshoeing sister.


DECEMBER 2017 9

Goofus
and There’s some of Goofus and Gallant in us all.


When the Gallant shines through, we show our best self.
Gallant ®





“I’m worried about the quiz. Next time
I’ll study harder,” says Gallant.
















“I’m not ready for my quiz. Can you
call to say I’m sick?” asks Goofus.







“Great race! Trying to catch you made
me run my best time,” says Gallant.
















“Why didn’t you slow down for me?
I thought we were friends,” says Goofus.






YOUR Goofus and Gallant Moments



“I felt like Goofus “I felt like Goofus “I felt like Goofus
when I ripped my when I spilled water on when I drew on
sister’s homework.” the sofa.” the wall.”
Bob, Age 9 Meryl, Age 8, Massachusetts Ben, Age 5, New York
British Columbia, Canada


10 DECEMBER 2017 Art by Leslie Harrington.

Gallant


Kids




Turning Passion





into Purpose




At school, Alex Hart-Upendo sponsor monthly bow-tie-
was bullied for being smart. But making workshops. He
Alex used those hurtful words raises awareness about
to inspire him. He says, “I took different causes, such
the negative term ‘nerd’ and I as diabetes, childhood Alex Hart-Upendo loves making
turned it into something positive cancer, or bullying. bow ties from craft fur.
and fashionable: bow ties.”
Alex’s mom designs clothing, “Building” Bows
and she showed him how to At his free workshops,
make a bow tie. When Alex Alex passes out pieces of plain other people,” Alex says. “I just like
wore it to school, the other fabric. Participants use markers to see the smiles on their faces.”
kids wanted bow ties, too. So, and paint to decorate them. Highlights is proud to know this
he says, “I decided to start a Then, Alex says, “I take all the Gallant Kid.
business called Build-a-Bow, designs home with me, and I —Sara Matson
where everyone can get a bow turn them into bow ties with my
tie.” Before long, Alex’s business sewing machine.” He sends the Alex’s Favorites
became a way to help others. finished bows to people who are
FOOD: Tacos
At first, Alex just sold his ill or going through hard times.
bow ties at craft shows and With every bow tie, he includes SCHOOL SUBJECT: Math
from his Web site. But after his an encouraging card. ANIMAL: Wolf
grandfather passed away, Alex Alex has donated more than COLOR: Blue
decided to honor him by starting 500 bow ties to nursing-home ADVICE TO KIDS WHO WANT TO
a charity. He named it Build-a- residents, hospital patients, and START A BUSINESS TO HELP
Bow for a Purpose. military families. He’s glad he OTHERS: “Find something that
Forty percent of Alex’s profits can use his passion for fashion you’re good at. Once you find out
from selling bow ties are used to to bring joy to others. “It makes what you’re good at, you have to
me feel great that I’m helping
Photo by Karee Upendo. perfect that skill.”

Tell us when you’ve felt like
Goofus or Gallant! Visit
HighlightsKids.com or write to
“I felt like Gallant “I feel like Gallant when
when I apologized I play with my little sister so
for what I did to my parents can get ready.” Goofus and Gallant Moments
make my friend cry.” Laci, Age 10, Utah 803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Elliot, Age 7, Colorado

DECEMBER 2017 11

MYSC 1 2 3

Cranking The gear is attached As the drum rolls, bumps
the handle to a drum. As the called pins pluck steel
turns a gear turns, the teeth. Each vibrating

Wind Up gear. drum rolls with it. tooth makes a note.


a Tune 4 Longer teeth
make lower
notes. Shorter
By Julie I. Myers teeth make

Crank the higher notes.
handle on a Several notes
music box, and can be played
a tune begins to
together.
play. But what’s
happening
inside the box
to create those
notes? Musical
machinery is
at work!
















5


Tempered (strengthened)
steel is used so the teeth
won’t break when plucked.




Coin Drop?



Bend your elbow and lift it up high in front of you, with your
palm faceup near your ear. Set a stack of coins on your bent
elbow. Now, suddenly drop your elbow and swing the hand that
was by your ear forward to grab the coins as they fall.
If you don’t catch them at first, keep practicing. It is possible!
But how? Think of your best answer, then read ours on page 38.



12 DECEMBER 2017

What?
My blue
Why do some dogs have blue eyes aren’t

eyes instead of brown eyes? blue?


Brendan, Age 6 (by e-mail)

Like human eyes, dog eyes back. (If no pigment is in either
have a pigment called melanin layer, the iris looks pink.) As an BLUE? NOT TRUE!
(MELL-uh-nin) in the iris—the animal develops, genes in its
There is no blue substance in blue eyes
colored part of the eye. The DNA tell its body how much
(or green in green eyes). Blue eyes look
iris has two layers. Brown eyes melanin to turn “on” or “off.”
blue because of the way short light waves
have melanin in the front and This means that animals can
bounce around in the iris. The sky looks
back layers. Lighter eyes have have a range of eye colors. The
blue for a similar reason.
little or no melanin in the front same is true for skin, hair, and
layer and just a little in the fur colors.
By Dougal Dixon • Art by Robert Squier Its epiparietals
(EPP-ee-pah-RYE-ih-tulz),
the spikes above the skull’s
Machairoceratops
muh-KYE-row-SAYR-ah-tops parietal bone, are flat-tipped.
“bent-sword horned face”

When scientists Head shield,
found the partial or frill,
skull, horns, narrows at
and spikes of the top
Machairoceratops,
they could tell Horn
that this was a above each
new ceratopsian eye, pointing
(SAYR-ah-TOP-see- forward
un) species. Its
discovery shows
that strange
horn and spike
arrangements
appeared
early among
ceratopsians.







WHERE: HOW LONG: WHAT IT ATE: WHEN:

Utah 20 feet Plants 77 million years ago
252 201 145 66 Present
Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous Cenozoic



DECEMBER 2017 13

Want a
challenge?
Fold back page 15
to hide the
picture clues.
Busy Beavers’ Wood Shop


By Mike DeSantis


































































In this big picture, find the envelope, golf club, crayon, ice-cream cone, comb, flag,
candy corn, fish, toothbrush, oar, baseball cap, crescent moon, and ring.


14 DECEMBER 2017 Check out our Hidden Pictures app!

K
J O E
Picture Clues S





“Knock, knock.”
envelope golf
club
“Who’s there?”

“Justin.”

“Justin who?”
On the floor is a dog-chewed
“Justin time for pencil.
Mom: Son, please pick up the
crayon dinner!” pencil.
comb Saige, Ohio Son: Oh boy. This thing is toast.
Sister: No, it’s not. It’s a pencil!
ice-cream Student: Why do you wear Tian Turner, Iowa
cone sunglasses to school?
Teacher: Because my
students are so bright! Make us laugh!
Liana, California
Send a joke or riddle, along with your
name, age, and address, to
candy A book never written:
corn Living with Dinosaurs by
flag Terry Dactel. 803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431
Daniel Rose, Colorado




fish Fast or

Slow?



oar I like fast for racing.
toothbrush I like fast for biking.
I like slow for writing poems.
I like slow for hiking.
But . . .
baseball Slow might make you late for school.
cap And fast could cause collisions.

crescent Fast or slow?
moon Fast or slow?
ring Interesting decisions.
—Eileen Spinelli


BONUS
Can you also find
the shoe, candle,
teacup, and
musical note?



Answers on HighlightsKids.com.

The The cool



Christmas wax gave
Charles
Candles an idea.






By Patti Richards
Art by Victor Rivas



In the village where Charles
lived, high in the French Alps,
December usually brought
garlands scented with pine.
Each Sunday, villagers would
walk down decorated streets or
ride jingling sleighs to the old
stone church. There, for the four
weeks before Christmas, they
would light candles on the
Advent wreath and tell the
Christmas story. Charles loved would appear on his cake.
the glow of the Advent candles. After making a wish, he’d
But this year, World War II quickly blow out the candles,
changed everything. Charles’s clean them off, and carefully put
father and brother had reported them into the box for next year.
for duty. Families needed ration When his chores were done, candles and make new ones.”
coupons for things like butter Charles climbed the ladder and “People won’t have much wax
and sugar. Because candles opened his treasure box. He to spare,” said Maman.
were costly and hard to find, counted 10 candles. The cool wax “Maybe if we melted them
the church would not have with already melted edges gave down—” said Charles.
Advent candles this year. him an idea. Charles wrapped “It’s a wonderful idea,” said
Charles was thinking about the candles in his handkerchief Grand-père. “I’ll help you.”
all of this as he stepped slowly and put them carefully into his Charles and his grandfather
out of bed one morning. He put pocket. He hurried down the visited every house and shop
on his warmest clothes and ladder and ran to the house. in the village. Whipping winds
headed out to do his chores. and snow pushed against them
He opened the big barn door, “I know how we at every turn. “Madame?
and sunbeams streamed into Monsieur? Could you spare
the barn, making spider webs can have candles a few old candle scraps for
appear like secret messages. for Advent!” Advent?” said Charles, holding
Charles looked up to the loft out a basket.
where his treasure box hid. “Maman! Grand-père! I know When the last door had
The box held fishing line, a how we can have candles for closed, they headed home.
dried snakeskin, a whistle Advent!” he cried as he threw Charles’s mother looked
carved from wood, and his open the door. skeptically at the bits of wax.
birthday candles. Each year “How?” his mother asked. “I hope you’ll have enough.”
on his birthday, one new candle “I could collect people’s used Charles reached into his


16 DECEMBER 2017

pocket. “We can use mine, too.”
“But those are your birthday
candles! Are you sure you want
to use them?” said Grand-père. “Can we tell the
Charles looked at the candles
he’d saved for so long. He Christmas story,
knew he could put them back Grand-père?”
into his treasure box and his
mother and grandfather would
understand. “I’m sure,” he said.
Charles and his grandfather
set to work, dropping the
villagers’ candle scraps into a
melting pot. The colors were
bright against the dark iron. found Mary and Joseph, with friends would see it and believe
“Can we tell the Christmas the baby lying in a manger.” Christmas was coming after all.
story, Grand-père?” Charles Grand-père poured the very This is what Christmas is all
asked. He dropped three of his last drops of wax. about, thought Charles. “The
birthday candles into the pot. candles are beautiful, aren’t
Grand-père smiled. As he That Sunday, Charles and his they, Grand-père?”
poured wax into a mold, he mother and grandfather walked Grand-père nodded.
began. “For many years, God to the church. It felt warm and “Beautiful!”
promised a special gift for the good inside. They took their
world. Then one day, an angel seats as the choir sang That Sunday, Charles
appeared to Mary and told her Christmas hymns.
she was going to have a baby.” At the front of the church and his mother and
“Baby Jesus,” Charles said. were the four candles Charles grandfather walked
“Yes! Then a census was had made with Grand-père. He
called for, so Mary and Joseph stretched his neck to see them. to the church.
had to travel to Bethlehem.” They were small, and they were
Grand-père poured melted wax not the purple and pink of
into a second candle mold. regular Advent candles. Each
Charles dropped three more was a blend of different colors.
birthday candles into the pot. One of the candles glowed bright
“When they arrived, no one had for the first week of Advent.
room for them to sleep!” he said. Charles smiled, knowing his
Grand-père nodded. “The only
place left was a stable, and the
baby was born there. Angels
announced the news to
shepherds in a field nearby.”
Charles dropped three more
birthday candles into the
melting pot, and Grand-père
poured the third Advent candle.
“The happy shepherds rushed
to the stable,” said Grand-père.
Adding his final birthday
candle, Charles said, “They


17

One time, my dog Sparky was
in the car, and he rolled down
AWESOME the window himself! Then he
stuck his head out the window.
Eva Magallanes
Age 8 • Nebraska
Animal My dad



was flying
Stories helicopter,
his toy

and it
We asked if your pets have surprised
ever done anything surprising, my cat. The
heroic, or wacky. We loved
cat jumped
your replies! Here are a few.
four feet
into the air
and did a
My grandmother was sitting backflip.
on the back porch and doing
things on her tablet. No-Tail, Trezden Dabel
her cat, jumped on her lap, Age 7 • Nevada
watching her press buttons on
the tablet. One second later, he I was looking for my
started pressing buttons, too. lost sock. My betta fish,
Pinkie, was swimming in
While she was texting, No-Tail her aquarium. She seemed
took her to the Internet!
Autumn Crabb to be trying to get my
Age 13 • New Mexico attention toward a lump
on my bed. I quickly pulled

Once, our cat was off my covers to see what it
lying under our see- One time, my was. It was my sock!
Elizabeth Longo Leonard
through glass table. I mom and I were Age 8 • Michigan
put a quarter on top. in my room and
Then our cat started then our dog
to try to get the came in with a
quarter from under
the table because it diaper on her
likes shiny things. head.
Mason Allridge Liza Rae Dockins
Age 12 • Utah Age 10 • Missouri






My pet’s name is Kasha. He says
My cat had a stare-
poems, and “I love you, Natali,”
down with a fox.
and so much more.
Alex Teich
Natali Gogoladze
Age 7 • Florida
Age 9 • Delaware
18 DECEMBER 2017

My pet cat,
Marshmallow,
once did
something totally
wacky. He sat in
my sister Penny’s
chair in her room
like a human.
Funny, right?!
My cat was playing in the grass in our backyard
Zachary McGarity
Age 8 • Texas
when a huge owl swooped down toward my cat. Our
family dog ran toward the owl and saved my cat’s life.
Ivy Stephens Etheridge
Age 9 • New Mexico
I taught my cat Sobeck how
to open doors. I’ve been teaching a chair during dinner. Just her eyes
My cat Simon jumped up to sit on
him since he was a baby kitten. and ears peeked over the edge. We
Now he also somehow gets into all laughed at my cat.
the fridge! Lexi Pollitt Aidan Naktenis

Age 11 • Illinois Age 7 • Connecticut




It’s funny When our cat Mittens was
when the piglets younger, all of her would fit
chase me at our in the sink. Now that she’s
family’s farm. bigger, her back paws rest
on the countertop. She bats
Tyler Ambrosh at the water and drinks it.
Age 6 • Wisconsin Saoirse Edmond
Ireland


Create Your



Own Game


Let’s play! If you could create your own
game, what would it be? It could be an
outdoor game, a board game, a video game,
or any kind. Tell us about your game, and
include a drawing of it, if you’d like. Send
your response to
Please include your name, age, and
Create Your Own Game complete address.
803 Church Street We must receive your reply by January 1,
Honesdale, PA 18431 2018, to consider it for publication.

W ld
i




Words





By Teresa A. DiNicola
The names of each of the
animals in this scene can be
added to a group of words to
make three new words. Can
you match each animal with
the correct group of words?
1 HILL EATER ARCTIC
2 BOY BELL LICK
3 BOWL HOOK TAIL
4 DOG FROG DOZE
5 FLY SHOE RADISH
6 BATH SEED CAGE
7 FISH NAP WALK
8 HOUSE SLED WOOD
9 GLOVE TROT HOLE















BONUS!

Which objects
in the scene
start with the
letter W ?
Answers on
page 38.


Danny Danny Noodle cooks pizza but not pasta.

He’ll eat jelly but not jam,
Carrots but not celery,
Noodle And beef, but never ham.
Chef Noodle makes a great grilled cheese
And a tasty apple pie,
By Michelle Benjamin But he’d never bake a chocolate cake.
Can you tell why?

20 DECEMBER 2017 Answer on page 38.

Lost Will lost his lucky key chain.





Found to look for it.
and He went to the Lost and

Found




By Pamela Love
Art by Vin Vogel













He saw red mittens. He saw two books.


















Hi, Mateo.
Are you looking A book?
for mittens?








No.
No.



Sunglasses? A yo-yo?






I’m looking for you.
Here’s your key chain.
I saw you drop it

Nope. by the slide.
No.

Light Up the Winter with

Ice Lanterns







.











































Basic Ice Lantern



1. Find two plastic storage from the top. Set the (supporting the ice so it
containers of different sizes. container in the freezer. Or won’t fall and break) and
The small one should fit into if temperatures are below hold it under warm running
the large one with an inch freezing, leave it outside. water until it loosens.
or more of space all around. 4. When the water is frozen 6. Set the ice lantern outdoors.
2. Use packing tape or duct solid, remove the small Choose a surface that won’t
tape to suspend the small container. If it doesn’t lift be damaged by water (or
container inside the large out easily, ask an adult to food coloring). By day,
one. Place coins in the small pour warm water into the let sunlight glint through
container for a little weight. small container to loosen it. the lantern. At night, put
3. Pour water into the large 5. Remove the outer container. a waterproof battery-
container (not the small If it’s stuck, ask an adult operated candle in the
one) until it’s an inch to turn it upside down center. Watch it glow!


22 DECEMBER 2017 Photos by Guy Cali Associates, Inc., except background by iStock/mythja.

Dress It Up


• Make the basic ice lantern, or add items for color and
texture. Try some of the ideas on this page!

• Opaque things like stones and evergreen sprigs block
light, making interesting silhouettes. Leave space between
Ocean them for light to shine through.
• Items against the large container’s sides will be on the
Freezes
outside of the lantern. Items farther in won’t show as well.
Sand + seashells
+ water + blue
food coloring =
one cool beach! Beady
Ice


Fill the large
container partway
with water. Add
translucent beads,
then freeze. Add
more water and more
Get Ready beads. Continue
freezing in layers.
containers tape
support
Color
Cooler


Add food coloring to
weight
water, and pour 1 inch
of it into the large
water container. Freeze it
solid. Add a different
color to more water,
pour it on top of the
first layer, and freeze.
waterproof Repeat with more
battery-operated colors, if you’d like.
candle

Star

Silhouettes

small Put pieces of double-
and large
tap water sided tape on the inside
containers walls of the large
container. Stick plastic
stars to the tape. Add
water, then
freeze.
sturdy food coloring
tape (optional)

Eight-year-old Talia Lefkowitz and President George W.
Bush light a menorah candle at the first White House
Hanukkah party while First Lady Laura Bush looks on.



































When the White House hosted a Hanukkah celebration.


Gold-sealed invitations are sent.
Celebrates Supreme Court judges,
Guests may include senators,

astronauts, and athletes.
In 2007, one rabbi who had
received an invitation brought
along his eight-year-old son,
Hanukkah Aharon Akiva Dardik. Aharon
later remembered portraits and
statues of famous people in the
White House. He said, “There was
Everyone enjoys the blessings, music, a huge dinner, but the only thing
I liked were the latkes.”
menorahs . . . and latkes, of course.
Lighting the Menorah
By Tovah S. Yavin
You can’t celebrate Hanukkah
without lighting a menorah.
Latkes (potato pancakes) and Parties are held in many The Hanukkah parties at the
doughnuts sizzle in the kitchen. homes for the Jewish holiday White House have featured
The menorah is ready. of Hanukkah. In 2001, for the old menorahs, new menorahs,
U.S. Marines in bright-red first time, a Hanukkah party handmade menorahs—even
uniforms tune their instruments. was held in the White House, dirty menorahs!
Marines? Isn’t this a the home of the President of The menorah used in 2001
Hanukkah party? the United States. was more than 100 years old.
It is a Hanukkah party! Every year since then, the A new menorah made by
And it’s at the White House. President and First Lady have students in Israel was used


24 DECEMBER 2017

in 2014. But a dirty menorah?
Menorahs rescued from Hurricane
Katrina and Hurricane Sandy
have been used. They were cleaned
and polished in time for the White
House party.
So, the menorah is lit, prayers
are said, and speeches are made.
It’s time to eat!

Making the
Kitchen Kosher
The menu for the White House
party includes more than just
latkes and traditional jelly
doughnuts. Sushi and lamb chops
may also be on the menu. But “We were shocked and very
this is a Hanukkah party, and excited,” he said. The two saved Lights of Hope
many of the guests keep kosher, the big news until after that day’s
meaning the food must follow rehearsal. “We said, ‘So, guys, and Healing
Jewish law. How simple is that? we got an e-mail today, and we’re
Not very! going to sing at the White House,’ Two ninth-graders from
Teams of rabbis take over and everyone freaked out.” Jerusalem, one Jewish and
the White House kitchen. one Muslim, light a menorah
Everything is scrubbed, then The menorah is lit, together at the 2014 White
cleaned with boiling water or House Hanukkah party.
high heat. Things that can’t be prayers are said, and Hanukkah is not a Muslim
made kosher are covered—even speeches are made. holiday, but the students
the lights above and the hanging are from the Hand in Hand
pot rack. “When President Bush It’s time to eat! School, which brings
came to thank us,” Rabbi Hillel together students from
Baron of Columbia, Maryland, President George W. Bush the Jewish and Muslim
recalled, “I thanked him for was the first President to host a religions. The two
making the party kosher. Hanukkah party. He said, “It’s a communities have been
The President replied, ‘It is symbol that this house may be a in conflict for many years.
the right thing to do.’” temporary home for Laura and Students from all grades
me, but it’s the people’s house, and and both religions worked
Striking Up the Band it belongs to people of all faiths.” together to design and
Parties need music. The At the 2009 celebration, make the menorah after
Marine Band plays everything President Barack Obama spoke their school building
from Bach to “I Have a Little about the Hanukkah candles. survived an arsonist’s fire
Dreidel.” A special group, often “Their light inspires us to hope and was defaced with
from a college or high school, also beyond hope,” he said, “to believe graffiti. Shown from left
performs. Daniel Rabin, who that miracles are possible even to right are Hand in Hand
sang at the 2009 party with the in the darkest of hours.” students Inbar Shaked Vardi
University of Maryland’s Kol Would it take a miracle for you and Mouran Ibrahim, First
Sasson choir, recalled when he to celebrate Hanukkah in the Lady Michelle Obama, and
and his friend received the White House? Not if you find an President Barack Obama.
group’s invitation by e-mail. invitation in your mail!


Photos: page 24 by AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais; DECEMBER 2017 25
page 25 by AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin.

Check . . .

Mixed-Up Sophia is putting and Double
together a scrapbook of
Memories her favorite photos from Check
this past year. Can you
help her put the photos Compare these
in the order in which
By Sara Matson two pictures. Can
they were taken?
you find at least
A 18 differences?






B















C
D
















E




F

















26 DECEMBER 2017 Answer on page 38.

Nature Watch






Manatee




By Peter Friederici

DID YOU KNOW?
The manatee is closely
related to another big,
gray mammal: the
elephant. But unlike
its land-dwelling
relative, the manatee
is a sea creature.
The West Indian
manatee lives in
warm, shallow coastal
waters and rivers from
Florida to Brazil. It
may be seen farther
north when waters
are warm.
WARM UP about 10 feet long and
The manatee feeds
on sea grass and other
Unlike many marine
plants. An adult manatee—
mammals, manatees can’t
live in cold water. They don’t
have thick, insulating fat, as some
weighing as much as the
whales do. When water temperatures pro football team—can eat
entire defensive line of a
drop, manatees may move farther
south or gather in warm water
80 pounds of plants each day.
near springs or power plants.
A manatee uses its
Where do animals that live upper lip pads to pull
near you find shelter from
hot and cold temperatures? plants into its mouth.
How might they find
An elephant does this
protected spots?
with its trunk.


















Photo by imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo, DECEMBER 2017 27
inset by WaterFrame/Alamy Stock Photo.

A


of
Bunch
Maybes








By John Samony
Art by David Bucs



















“I know. But it’s my grandpa’s,”
Kevin said. “And he’s coming over
this weekend.”
“Oh “So?” Jimmy said.
“So he’s going to ask me to play
no!” for him. He always does.”
“Maybe he won’t notice the dent,”
Jimmy said with a shrug.

Band practice had just ended. “Maybe he won’t care,” Ben added.
Jimmy and Ben started packing up But what if Grandpa did see the
their instruments. Before Kevin dent? How was he going to react?
could put his trumpet into the case,
he tripped over a music stand. It fell A bunch
and hit his trumpet right on its bell. of maybes
Clang. ran

“Oh no!” Kevin yelled. through
Jimmy picked up the trumpet and Kevin’s
inspected it before handing it to Kevin. head.
“Well, it already has a lot of dents.
One more won’t matter.”
Ben agreed. “Yeah, don’t worry about
it. It’s not like it’s a new trumpet.”


28 DECEMBER 2017

And how was Kevin going to tell you play them a lot. You can’t always
him about it? protect them. The important thing is
A bunch of “maybes” were all Kevin that you told me.”
could think about on the bus home. “You’re not mad?” Kevin asked.
Maybe he could pretend he felt sick. Grandpa pointed to a dent opposite
the one Kevin had made. “This is from
How was Kevin going to tell an accidental bump by a trombone.”

Grandpa about the dent? Next, he pointed to some scratches.
“Got these when I tripped over it
Nah, he didn’t like lying. onstage one night.”
Maybe he could get his baby brother, “So I’m not the only clumsy one
Jace, to take all of Grandpa’s attention. in the family?” Kevin said.
Or maybe Grandpa wouldn’t ask him Grandpa laughed. “Every ding, dent,
to play this time. and scratch can tell a tale,” he said. “If
When Saturday finally arrived, you stick with it, someday you’ll have a

Kevin still hadn’t figured out what trumpet etched with your own stories.”
he was going to do. “Thanks, Grandpa.”
“Hey, Kev. How’re things?” Grandpa Grandpa handed the trumpet back to
asked as he walked in. Kevin. “Now tell me a story with music.”
“Good.” Kevin could have told him Kevin lifted the trumpet and filled
right then, but he froze. the room with happy noise.
After dinner, Grandpa said, “How
about some music, Kevin?” “Got these
“Um . . .” Kevin looked around for when I

Jace, but Mom was giving him a bath.
So Kevin took out the trumpet. He tripped over

played a few classics—“Ode to Joy,” it onstage
“Yankee Doodle,” “Oh, Susanna.” one night.”
Grandpa said, “I think you’re better
than I was at your age.”
Any other time, Grandpa’s praise

would have made Kevin feel great.
But not this time. “I’m sorry about
the dent,” he blurted.
He explained what had happened.
Then Grandpa did something that
surprised Kevin. He smiled and said,
“Instruments become part of you when

“Stained Glass”






Cookies Ask an



adult to help
Make art with anything

sharp or hot.
you can eat!


Mix It
1. In a large mixing bowl or food processor, beat
together one stick of cold butter (sliced), ½ cup
of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
2. Add one egg. Mix well.
3. Add 1½ cups of white flour and ½ cup of
arrowroot flour. Mix on medium-low (or use
your hands) until the dough feels like play clay.
Shape It

1. Put a ball of the dough on a work surface
covered with non-stick parchment paper.
(Wrap unused dough in parchment paper
and refrigerate until you need it.)
2. Cover the dough with parchment paper
so the rolling pin won’t stick. Roll out the
dough to ¼ inch thick.
3. Use a big cookie cutter to cut a shape.
Move the shape to parchment paper
placed on a cookie sheet.
4. Use a small cookie cutter to cut a small
shape from the big one. Remove the
small shape.
5. Continue cutting big shapes, moving
them to the paper, then cutting out
smaller shapes.
6. Bake at 375°F for about 7 minutes.
MINI Remove from the oven.
Cookie Burgers! Fill It

Bake the cutout pieces, 1. Stir 1 teaspoon of powdered gelatin
into 2 to 3 tablespoons of all-fruit jam.
and add jam. 2. Spoon a little of the mixture into the
opening in each cookie, just to the edges.
3. Bake for 4 more minutes. Let cool
completely until the jam gels.
4. Gently peel the cookies from the paper.
Serve plain, or decorate with icing.


30 DECEMBER 2017 Photos by Guy Cali Associates, Inc.

Paws and
A Busy Warehouse
Think


















































What kinds of equipment are workers
using to help them do their jobs?

What are some differences between
ordering items to be delivered and
shopping in a store? What are some
benefits to each way of shopping?


What times of year might places
like this be busiest?
Dog treats? You
can mail that
box directly
to me!







Art by David Coulson.

DANGER!






Rescue on Thin Ice




Sometimes a firefighter’s job can be cold.


By Carrie Seidel








he doesn’t swallow any water.
a firefighter pulls the ice suit’s Once he bobs to the surface,
hood over his head and zips up he points his feet toward the
Beep! Beep! Beep!
tight. He squats and tugs the lake bottom and burps the suit
hood away from his neck, again. It’s time to pretend he’s
“Engine 55, Truck
“burping” the suit. Air whooshes a victim. He calls for help and
54, Battalion 51,
out. If he doesn’t burp the suit, splashes around.
Safety 51. Ice
the trapped air bubble could
rescue—Lake
make him so buoyant that he’d
Arbor.” 28 steps in:
get stuck beneath the ice.
The crew members of Engine He walks out onto the frozen Ping! Crack! Water
55 drop their dinner forks and lake to play the part of the begins to seep
rush to the fire truck. Someone “victim.” He shivers, but not
on the ice is in danger. from cold. It’s nerve-racking not through the ice.
To prepare for real-life knowing when he’ll fall through!
emergencies like this one, rescue His first several steps away Two more firefighters,
teams must practice. They from the lake’s edge feel solid. attached to the onshore crew
practice putting on ice suits, The ice seems thick. But 28 with ropes, walk onto the lake.
working with ropes, and using steps in: Ping! Crack! Water One of them walks toward the
hand signals to communicate. begins to seep through the ice. “victim” from the side. The other
And once the lake freezes, they He slows down. At 31 steps— walks around the back. They
practice ice rescue. plunk! He plunges through the stay on different parts of the ice
On a training day, ice. He keeps his mouth shut so in case it breaks. One rescuer


32 DECEMBER 2017 Photos by Carrie Seidel, except far right by Kevin Kossow.

Ice Suit

Ice suits are one piece from
head to toe (with built-in
gloves and boots), made to
keep firefighters warm and
dry. To keep the suits in
good condition for a real
rescue, firefighters use
older suits during practice.
A firefighter tells
water behind the victim. Next,
the “victim” to
he wraps the harness under Neoprene
grab onto the face guard fits
boogie board. the victim’s arms and clips it
securely in place. He gives a snugly to prevent
signal and the onshore crew water leaks
As a firefighter
pulls the rope. As the rope Beneath the
makes his way
tightens, the rescuer lifts the waterproof shell
across the ice, a is a buoyant
victim’s legs so he’s on his belly. Built-in
rope keeps him safety foam liner
Together, they sail across the ice.
attached to the harness for
crew onshore. rescuer
He gives a signal
and the onshore Ice awl
pockets on
crew pulls the rope. each arm
carries a “victim harness,”
a padded section of rope Once they’re on land,
with a heavy metal clip called firefighters switch roles. When
a carabiner at the end. The every firefighter has had a turn
other carries a victim harness at rescuing and playing “victim,”
plus a boogie board. they all put on warm, dry
Meanwhile, onshore crew clothes and head back to the
members wearing life vests talk station for hot chocolate.
to the “victim” to keep him calm,
the way they would during a “Dispatch—Engine 55 on
real rescue. scene. We have one dog in the
Near the ice hole, a rescuer water. Dog’s owner onshore,”
drops to her belly and crawls. says the officer.
The second rescuer rolls. Both Rescuers pile out of the fire
methods spread out the weight truck, pull on their suits, and
so they don’t also fall through head onto the ice. The beagle has
the ice. been dog-paddling to stay afloat. Victim
The firefighter with the She’s exhausted but overjoyed to harness
boogie board explains that see her rescuer. She swims
they’re there to help. She slides straight into his arms and licks
the board to the edge of the ice his face. The firefighter gives a
shelf and tells the victim to grab signal and the onshore crew reels
Boogie
on. The second firefighter burps them in. When the dog is safe on Rope
board bag
his suit as he slips into the land, everyone cheers.

DECEMBER 2017 33

Crafts













Gift-


Wrap


Wreath



By Terry A. Ricioli


1. Cut leftover
wrapping
paper into
strips. Wrap
them around
a Styrofoam
ring or a
cardboard
ring. Tape the
strips in place.
2. Decorate the
wreath with
leftover bows
or ribbons.
Hang it on
a door.











Yarn


Holiday


Cards


By Jean Parker Katz


Hanukkah Christmas Kwanzaa

CRAFT CHALLENGE!
Design a building using glue,
cardstock, and empty boxes.
Make Us Next
Month!




















Snowman


Stacking
Crayon Cups


Ornaments By Channing Kaiser


By Sudipta Bardhan 1. Decorate 12 Styrofoam cups
with markers and felt to look
1. Peel the labels off a handful of old like snowmen.
crayons. Break them into small pieces.
2. Put the crayon pieces into a silicone mold.
Mix and match colors, if you’d like. For a hanger,
cut a length of thin wire. Twist it to make a loop,
and place the ends into the mold.
3. Ask a parent to preheat the oven to 230°F and to
place the mold inside for 8–12 minutes, or until the
crayons have melted. Let them cool.
4. Remove the ornaments from the mold. Hang them up.

TO PLAY
1. Fold a piece of cardstock in half twice
Start with the cups in one stack.
to make a card. Using markers and
Then unstack the cups, make a
cardstock, make a holiday design on
formation, and stack them back
the front. Leave space for yarn details. together. Time yourself to see
2. Unfold the card. Using a large-eyed how quickly you can do it!
needle, poke holes, and thread yarn
Two sample formations are
through the holes to finish the design. Taped-down shown above. With a parent’s
Tape down the ends of the yarn. Refold yarn ends permission, look online for
the card. Write a message inside. on back more cup-stacking formations.


Craft samples by Buff McAllister. Photos by Guy Cali Associates, Inc., DECEMBER 2017 35
except door by iStock/Liliboas.

Your Own


Pages Kaidynce Reafleng
Age 9 • Iowa








The Starry Night

The stars are twinkling
The town is quiet
A gleaming light fills the town
Scattering the love
Starry night
Starry night
The blueberry field is full
with berries
The wheat is overgrown
Rolling hills look like a duckbill When I was once a little girl
The bushes are amazing I went to the ocean to explore
Starry night the world.
Starry night I saw a jellyfish swimming by.
Sara Beth Hart Robotic Pumpkin Man It looked hot pink and it
Age 6 • Louisiana caught my eye.
Luke Cronin
Age 6 • New Hampshire I didn’t touch it. I knew that
it could sting.
So I just watched it. What a
wonderful thing!
Brieana Calvano
Age 10 • Rhode Island


Snow

When snowflakes fall
Cat on a
on a winter’s day,
Chameleon
I go out to play.
Abigail Blankenship Scarf, hat, mittens, Windowsill
Age 12 • North Carolina coat. I follow
The
the snowy
cat
path to where
the snow sits
Meteors mountains are,
on
which is far. . . .
Flying. Fast. Thunderlike.
I climb as the
Fire blazing. Glowing high as I can windowsill
Black. go. Winter is looking
here to
Reece Beck
stay! for
Age 7 • California
anything.
Lulu Dwyer
Age 8 • California
36 DECEMBER 2017 Jace Anderson
Age 7 • Wisconsin

Snowy Day

Snowy day, snowy day.
The trees are waving,

The snow is falling.
Stores are closed.
Schools are closed.
LET SNOW FALL

Mary Miller TODAY!
Age 13 • Pennsylvania Marcelle Cooper
Age 9 • New York Mr. Prickles
Limerick McKenna Herberg
There was once a young Age 9 • Texas
boy named Jay,
Who would never go Best Friends
outside and play. My best friend,
One day he did go Together till the end.
And play in the snow, Keeper of secrets beyond bizarre,
So now we all shout, Knower of things beyond the stars.
“Hurray!”
My best friend,
Esperanza Robart Together till the end.
Age 11 • Missouri
Kay’lea Gonzales
Age 10 • Kansas







Spikezilla
Kevin Mullarkey
Age 8 • Pennsylvania
Limousine
Matthew Wardle
Mother Nature Age 9 • Ohio
Mother Nature
all around.
In the ground.
Up in the sky
it is Share Your
not a lie. Creative Work
Through the We’d love to see it!
trees. In the Art must be on unlined paper.
Poems must have fewer than
breeze. 75 words. All submissions
Mother Nature must be created by you.
everywhere. We cannot
return your
Jackson Robinson work, so you Include your name, age,
and address. Mail to
Age 7 • Washington might want to
keep a copy.
Your Own Pages
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

R D L E S

page 43 I D
Answers Picture Puzzler




How many problems does
1
page 2 a shoe store have?
Aiden Whitten, Louisiana
Fun This Month
Bundle Up!—The next number
will be 21 (the sum of the two
numbers before it: 8 + 13). Why was the scuba diver tense? 2
Mystery Photo—Zipper. Rahul, Texas

page 12
What do you get when you
My Sci 3
Coin Drop?—Your elbow gives an Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation cross a sheep with a porcupine?
(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
upward force to the coins, which 1. Title of Publication—Highlights for Children Mia, Wisconsin
keeps gravity from pulling them 2. Pub. No. 244–600
3. Date of Filing—September 4, 2017
down. They are “at rest.” Dropping 4. Frequency of Issues—Monthly
5. Number of Issues Published Annually—Twelve (12)
your elbow removes that upward 6. Annual Subscription Price—$39.96
force. Gravity immediately begins 7. Location of Known Office of Publication—1800 Watermark Drive, What happened when the
Columbus, Franklin County, OH 43215-1060. Contact: Rick Schordock, 4
pulling the coins down. But 614-487-2757 boxer told a joke?
8. Location of General Business Office of the Publisher—
dropping your elbow also makes 1800 Watermark Drive, Columbus, OH 43215-1060 David Dadabo, Illinois
your hand swing forward quickly. 9. Publisher—Highlights for Children, Inc., 1800 Watermark Drive, Columbus,
OH 43215-1060; Editor in Chief, Christine Cully, Highlights for Children,
You can move your hand faster 803 Church St., Honesdale, PA 18431
10. Owner is Highlights for Children, Inc., 1800 Watermark Drive, Columbus, OH
than the coins are falling—and, 43215-1060. The names and addresses of stockholders owning or holding Why did
with practice, catch them! 1 percent or more of the total amount of stock: Myers Family Voting Trust, 5
1800 Watermark Drive, Columbus, OH 43215-1060.
11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or
page 20 Holding 1 Percent or More of the Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages,
or Other Securities: NONE
12. Tax Status: Not applicable. the apple go
Wild Words 13. Publication Name—Highlights
14. Issue Date for Circulation Data—October 2017
1. ANT. 2. COW. 3. FISH. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation
Average Number Number Copies
4. BULL. 5. HORSE. 6. BIRD. Copies Each Issue of Single Issue to the gym?
7. CAT. 8. DOG. 9. FOX. During Preceding Nearest to
Filing Date
12 Months
! We found these objects a. Total Number Copies Printed 800,103 701,329
b. Paid Circulation Harmony, Washington
that start with the letter W: (1) Mailed Outside-County
wagon, water, watering can, Paid Subscriptions 697,129 657,554
(2) Mailed In-County Paid Subscriptions 0 0 What did the bread dough
watermelon, woodpecker, (3) Paid Distribution—Outside USPS 18,195 17,613
(4) Paid Distribution—Other Classes say to the baker? 6
wastebasket, wig, wheelbarrow, of Mail Through USPS 540 0
windmill, window, wind chimes, c. Total Paid Distribution 715,864 675,167 Jade Ireland, California
d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution
wrench, wood, weather vane, (1) Free/Nominal Rate Outside-County 51,480 1,500
wheels, well, watch, and web. (2) Free/Nominal Rate In-County Copies 0 0
Copies
(3) Free/Nominal Rate Copies—Other
Classes of Mail Through USPS 0 0
Danny Noodle (4) Free/Nominal Rate Distribution— 7 What kind of snake lives on cars?
Outside USPS 7,237 6,220
Danny Noodle only makes food e. Total Free/Nominal Rate Distribution 58,717 7,720 Jude, Virginia
spelled with double letters. f. Total Distribution 774,581 682,887
g. Copies Not Distributed 25,522 18,442
h. Total 800,103 701,329
page 26 i. Percent Paid 92.42% 98.87%

Where do boats go when
I certify that 50% of all my distributed copies (electronic and print)
Mixed-Up Memories are paid above a nominal price. they’re sick? 8
The photos should be in the I certify that all information furnished above is true and complete. Adrienne and Alaina DeMeyer, Indiana
following order: F, E, B, D, A, C. KENT S. JOHNSON, Chief Executive Officer
Covers: Get Cozy! by Jennifer Harney; What’s Wrong?® by Rich Powell What is another name for
Illustration credits: Page 2: Kevin Zimmer; 6: Erin Mauterer; 12: Victor Davila; 15: Jokes by Rich Powell, “Fast or
Slow?” by Stephanie Dehennin; 19: Create Your Own Game by Lee Cosgrove; 20: Wild Words by Neil 9 a backward somersault?
Numberman, Danny Noodle by Rich Powell; 26: Mixed-Up Memories by Jennifer Harney, Check . . . and Double Olivia Peed, Oregon
Check by CS Jennings. Photo credits: Page 2: iStock/AnthonyRosenberg; 3: Gina Lenz; 4: (bingo cards) iStock/
AlexLMX; 4–5: (manatee) David Fleetham/Alamy Stock Photo; 6: (watermelon shark) iStock/Jan-Schneckenhaus,
(violin) iStock/mars58, (soap) iStock/Bombaert, (rabbit) iStock/Oktay Ortakcioglu, (recycle bin) iStock/asiseeit,
(boy with package) iStock/ChristopherBernard, (girl) iStock/RapidEye, (colors) iStock/Vizerskaya, (boy with 8. To the dock. 9. A wintersault.
trophy) iStock/GlobalStock; 12: iStock/bambuh; 13: iStock/cynoclub. need you. You knead me!” 7. Windshield vipers. the punch line. 5. To work on its core. 6. “I don’t
38 DECEMBER 2017 3. A creature that knits its own sweater. 4. He hit 2. Because he was under a lot of pressure. Answers: 1. Ten issues (tennis shoes).

The

Timbertoes ®



It was late in the day.
By Rich Wallace • Art by Ron Zalme




And late in the year.

















But what could they make?
Let’s surprise
Ma and Pa with We made
dinner. sandwiches!


Aha!














Dinner was a surprise—for everyone.
That’s OK.
It’s a perfect
Oh no!
combo.
You already
made soup!

Ask


Arizona ®












My dad sings along to the
radio when my friends are in

the car. It’s so embarrassing.
How can I get him to stop?

—Mortified in Montana






My Singing, Dancing,





Silly-Hat-Wearing Mom






By Lissa Rovetch • Art by Amanda Morley



Dear Mortified, and there, my mom said, “Are you sure this is
It sounds as if your dad would “I know the perfect song and such a good idea?”
get along great with my parents, dance. I’ll teach it to the kids!”
because they also do a lot of Before I could say “Please I asked my mom.
embarrassing things! Usually, don’t,” my mom had agreed to
it’s my dad who sings goofy come to my class every morning to happen, people need to step
songs or tells corny jokes around at 9:30 for a week. Oh, and just up and volunteer.”
my friends. But a few weeks ago, to be clear, it’s not as if she’s “I know volunteering is
it was my mom who played the a professional entertainer. My important,” I said, “but couldn’t
embarrassing-parent role. parents run a small grocery you help out in Tex and Indi’s
While my mom and I were store, and the only singing my kindergarten instead?”
shopping, we ran into my mom does is in the shower. She laughed. “Don’t be silly.
teacher, who mentioned that “Um,” I said on our way home, We’ll have a blast!”
the school didn’t have a music “are you sure this is such a
teacher to help our class put good idea?” “OK, gang,” my teacher said
together a performance for “Of course!” she said. “If we at 9:28 on Monday. “We’re going
Winter Fair. And, right then want your school’s Winter Fair to stop silent reading a little


40 DECEMBER 2017

I can’t believe this is

happening was all
her for putting herself out there
I could think. for the sake of us kids.
“I’m really glad you helped my
class with the performance,” I
said to my mom as we drove home
from Winter Fair.
My mom reached back and
squeezed my hand. “Thanks for
saying that, ’Zona. I can see why
you might’ve been embarrassed,
but I had such a great time.”



She was having so
much fun, I couldn’t

help smiling.



early because a special guest is After a few seconds, though, So, dear Mortified, I guess
here to help us with a performance I mustered up enough courage to you could try to explain to your
for Winter Fair. Let’s all welcome uncover one ear and peek through dad how it makes you feel when
Arizona’s mother.” a half-open eye. That’s when I he sings in the car. He may stop
I looked up to discover my saw the expression of pure joy on doing it if he knows how much it
mom standing at the front of the my mom’s face. She was having embarrasses you. Or you could
room wearing the world’s goofiest so much fun, I couldn’t help let go of your own worries and
snowflake hat. smiling. My classmates clapped just try to be happy that your
“I’m super-duper excited to be and cheered, and I heard someone dad is having fun being himself.
here with you kiddos!” my mom say, “Wow! Arizona’s mother is In my experience, that’s the
said. “I’m going to teach you a fun pretty talented!” kinder (and easier) route for
little song-and-dance number I Not only did my mom turn out everyone involved.
learned a few years back, when to be more than a little OK at
I did some theater in college. performing, but she was also good Ciao for now,
Here goes!” at teaching us the song and the
Oh, please, oh, please, I said dance steps, too. By the time of Arizona
over and over in my head, let there the fair, I was actually proud of
be a fire drill, or an assembly,
or a power outage, or anything
to stop my mom from completely
embarrassing herself—and me!!!
But apparently, my mom was not
at all concerned about looking silly.
She turned on some background
music and started singing and
dancing away.
I can’t believe this is happening
was all I could think as I closed
my eyes, covered my ears, and
shrank as low as I possibly could
in my chair. “I’m really glad you helped my
class with the performance.”

Dear


Highlights







My best friend
has an amazing

voice. The problem I enjoy helping out. How

is she doesn’t think can I become a better

it’s that good. How helper?
Cody (by e-mail)
can I convince her
Becoming a better helper is
to put herself a wonderful goal! If you look,

out there? you will see ways to help those
around you every day. Perhaps
Alexia (by e-mail)
your sibling could use help
studying, your parents could
Good friends are those who see and encourage the best in
use help preparing dinner,
one another. You might try letting your friend know how you
or a neighbor could use a
feel. You could say “I wish you could see what a talented singer
hand carrying groceries. Even
you are. I appreciate your voice, and I’ll be there to cheer you
on if you decide to put yourself out there.” something as simple as a smile
or a kind word can be helpful
You might also ask your friend if there are ways you can help to a friend in need.
her feel more comfortable sharing her talent, such as singing
You could also look into
along with her or acting as a practice audience. But keep in
other opportunities for helping
mind that you can’t force her to do anything she is not ready
in your community. Think about
to do. Make sure your friend knows that you will continue to
support her whether or not she decides to pursue singing. the talents and skills you have
to share. Would you be good at
activities such as doing outdoor
cleanup, tutoring, caring for
animals, fund-raising for charity,
A girl in my class or helping at a food bank? With
gets mad at me for your parents’ help, you might
reach out to local charities and
not agreeing with
volunteer organizations to see
her. What should I do? if they are in need of helpers.
F., California

You can’t make your
classmate change her ways,
but you can control the way you Write to us!
express hers. If she insists on
react to her. Try to be polite and Please include your name, age,
arguing, you might simply say
friendly toward her, and refuse and full address. Mail to
“I’d rather not argue about
to let her attitude upset you or Dear Highlights
it,” and walk away. In time,
make you feel less confident. 803 Church Street
she may come to understand
You are free to express your Honesdale, PA 18431
that it’s OK for friends to Or e-mail us at Letters@Highlights.com.
opinion, just as she is free to have different opinions.
42 DECEMBER 2017 Art by Keith Frawley.

Picture Puz z ler Art by Ken Krug

Find the snowflake, apple, heart, magnet, mitten, fire hydrant, scarf, ice skate,

sled, cherries, necktie, bell, lobster, strawberry, and mug.






































































BONUS!

Find 7
cardinals. Photo by iStock/dndavis.




Answers on page 38.

What’s

Wrong? ®

Which things in this
picture are silly?
It’s up to you!


























































Visit our Web site!

DECEMBER 2017

BONUS



Can you find these
objects in the

Fun on Ice big picture?



By Peter Grosshauser

snake
canoe




slice of
heart pizza
feather
spoon






clover


fishhook

plate

balloon




carrot

flashlight rocket ship
pepper




ladybug

book

spatula

fork
test
paper clip tube
ring


cookie
party comb
hat

question
fish mallet mark

Check out our Hidden Pictures app!

Crafts










No-Snow


Snowman


By Gretchen M. Everin


1. With an adult’s permission, cut three 18-inch
squares from old T-shirts.
2. To make a small “snowball,” place the flat side of
a full roll of toilet paper in the center of a T-shirt
square. Tightly pull the fabric up and around the
roll, then stuff the ends into the tube.
3. Make a medium snowball and a large one by
padding two more rolls with plastic grocery bags
before covering them with the T-shirt squares.
4. Cut slits in the bottom of the small and medium
snowballs. Slide all three snowballs onto a ruler or
dowel to hold them together.
5. For arms, cut two holes in the medium snowball.
Insert twigs into the holes and glue them in place.
6. Add buttons, a hat, and a felt scarf and bird.












Collage Cards


Kwanzaa
By Leola Spencer


1. To make a card, fold a piece of cardstock
in half. Draw a simple picture on the front.
2. With permission, cut pages from an old
magazine into little pieces. Sort them by color.
3. Glue the pieces onto the picture.
4. Write a message inside.

Craft Challenge! Design a puzzle
using scissors, poster board, and paint.







Catch


Marbles


on a


Snowflake



By James W. Perrin, Jr.


1. With an adult’s help, cut off
the bottom of an oatmeal
container, leaving a 1-inch rim.
Paint the inside.
2. Cut out a paper snowflake, and TO PLAY:
glue it to the inside. Poke eight Gently
holes in or around the snowflake. tilt the
3. Place eight marbles inside the container
container. until all the
4. Cover the top with plastic wrap, marbles are
pull it tight, and glue down settled on
the sides. the holes.
5. Glue paper around the edge. Christmas























Hanukkah





Photos by Hank Schneider, except background by iStock/elenaleonova
and Craft Challenge supplies by Guy Cali Associates, Inc.

Your Family




Traditions









Here are a few stories kids shared with us
about their favorite family traditions.




My favorite family tradition My sister and I have
happens on each of our a tradition. We grow
birthdays. We get to pick out our hair for Locks of
any kind of cereal we want! Love. We have done it
It’s our own special box, but two times. It usually
we always share some. takes us two years to
get 10 inches to donate
Adeleine
to make wigs for kids On Christmas Eve, I go to
Age 8 • Virginia
without hair. church with my family. At the
My favorite family tradition end of the service, members
Caroline and Louisa
is to eat small Chinese sweets Ages 9 and 7 • New York throw oranges from the center
known as moon cakes during aisle to all of the kids in the
the Mid-Autumn Festival, which My family tradition is when it congregation, including those
is celebrated on the night of the is your birthday, your breakfast is in the balcony. Oranges remind
full moon. Common fillings a waffle with ice cream on top me of Christmas traditions.
inside the moon cakes are and a candle on the ice cream.
Chloe
red-bean paste and egg yolk, Then we light the candle and Age 7 • California
which stands for the full moon. start singing to the person that
has the waffle. Every August, our family camps
Jenny
in the Blue Ridge Mountains in
Age 9 • New Jersey Kelly
Virginia. We cook meals over a
Age 7 • Georgia
campfire and sleep in a tent. One
Every Saturday, my family and I
Our family go out to eat lunch. I always get a morning, my uncles found bear
prints on their tent! It was sort of
tradition is every cheeseburger and fries. My sister scary thinking that a bear was that
Saturday night, always does, too! close to their tent!
Hunter
Taylor
my brothers Age 10 • Nebraska Age 9 • Ohio
and I cook with Something my family does On New Year’s Eve, we
whichever parent together is travel in Europe. My dad make Dutch doughnuts called

we want. works in Germany. On my brother’s oliebollen. We eat them with
icing sugar. We also play
birthday, we went to Pisa, Italy! We
Elizabeth usually travel on special occasions. video games.
Age 9 • Minnesota Ellen Jaden
Age 10 • Germany Age 10 • Ontario, Canada
Art by Barry Gott