Highlights for Children (April 2020)

VISIT .COM FOR SEEK-AND-FIND FUN!



APRIL 2020
Highlights.com
































Happy





SPRING!











































GO Y

GARDEN






Page 26
Buggy



PRANKS




Page 32

Fun This Month







Lily’s Lollipops




Find 11 capital L’s in the scene. A Tough

Choice!


Which would you

rather give up for
a whole year . . .









Sweets
56%













TV
44%


Answer on page 38.

Head to
4 Ways to Use Plastic Eggs HighlightsKids.com to

Fill eggs take this month’s poll.


Photo Answer on page 38.
Put with small
beads or
Make egg
glow uncooked
Pack
sticks creatures! rice for
snacks maracas. Mystery
Add wiggle
in them
in clean
for a
eyes and
eggs for
chenille
lights-out
egg hunt! lunchtime
treats. sticks.



Find the Pictures Tongue Twister

Ren wore red
Can you find each of these 12 pictures rain boots.
at another place in this magazine?

Dear Reader By Christine French Cully


Editor in Chief
APRIL 2020 • VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 4 • ISSUE NO. 822
Founded in 1946 by Garry C. Myers, Ph.D.,
and Caroline Clark Myers

Editor in Chief: Christine French Cully
VP, Magazine Group Editorial: Jamie Bryant Go Ahead—
Creative Director: Marie O’Neill
Editor: Judy Burke
Design Director: Patrick Greenish, Jr.
Senior Editor: Joëlle Dujardin
Associate Editors: Allison Kane, Linda K. Rose Laugh!
Assistant Editor: Patty Courtright
Copy Editor: Joan Prevete Hyman
Senior Production Artist: Dave Justice
Production Assistant: Susan Shadle Erb
Contributing Science Editor: Andrew Boyles Have you ever laughed so much
Editorial Offices: 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431-1895.
E-mail: eds@highlights.com. that your face hurt from smiling?
To submit manuscripts, go to Highlights.submittable.com. I have. Have your sides ever ached
(Writers younger than 16: please use the postal address above.)
after a long, hard belly laugh? It has
CEO: Kent S. Johnson
SVP, International and Global Content Licensing: Andy Shafran happened to me, and it felt great.
Business Offices: 1800 Watermark Drive,
P.O. Box 269, Columbus, OH 43216-0269. As you’ll read in “What’s Behind Our
Copyright © 2020, Highlights for Children, Inc. Ha-Ha-Ha’s” (pages 36–37), laughing is
All rights reserved.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN is published monthly. good for both our body and our mind.
Cover price: $5.99
That’s why people sometimes say that
ISSN 0018-165X (print); ISSN 2330-6920 (online)
Printed by LSC Communications, Glasgow, KY. laughter is “good medicine.”
Designed for home and classroom use. This article started me thinking
Periodical postage paid at Columbus, Ohio;
Toronto, Ontario; and at additional mailing offices. about some of the things that make
U.S. Postmaster: Send address changes to Highlights for Children,
P.O. Box 6038, Harlan, IA 51593-1538. Canada Post: Publications me laugh—a good corny joke or an
Mail Agreement No. 40065670. Return undeliverable Canadian
addresses to P.O. Box 99 Stn. Main, Milton, ON L9T 9Z9. animal doing something funny. And if I
Sometimes we make our list of customer names and addresses watch videos of babies laughing, soon I’m holding my aching
available to carefully screened companies whose products and
services might be of interest to you. We never provide children’s sides. Baby laughter is so contagious!
names. If you do not wish to receive these mailings, please contact
us and include your account number.
What things make you laugh out loud? We may not always
To order, make a payment, change your address,
or for other customer-service needs, such as changing agree on what’s funny, but researchers say we laugh most
your contact preference, please contact us:
• Online: Highlights.com when we are with friends and family. I hope you laugh a lot.
• Call: 1-800-255-9517
• Write: P.O. Box 5878, Harlan, IA 51593-1378 Your friend,



As part of our mission to help make the world
a better place for the children of today and
tomorrow, Highlights is committed to PARENTS:
making responsible business decisions If your child is
that will protect our natural resources not quite ready
and reduce our environmental impact. for Highlights, call PS: I’m always looking for a new
AWARDS Highlights has been to switch to favorite joke. Do you know a Write to me!
given awards by The Association High Five at
of Educational Publishers, The any time. good one? I’m ready to hear it— Christine@Highlights.com
Education Center, LLC, Family Choice
Awards, Freedoms Foundation, Graphic Arts and ready to laugh out loud.
Association, 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 This magazine of wholesome fun
Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) of the Council of Better
Business Bureaus. 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

HL0420_182736 children are the world’s most important people.

April Draw




me!




VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 4 • ISSUE NO. 822


Dear Highlights,









—Benson, Utah Draw,

Share, Smile!
We hope these ideas keep you smiling, Benson!
1 Share your 2 Hold a 3 Count slowly April 8 is

worries with the favorite toy for to help you relax. Draw a Bird Day.
dentist, who can comfort while Picture your
ease your fears. you’re there. healthy smile!






16 8














36







6 Egg Hunt 8 Lights, Camera . . . 14 Hidden Pictures
Sharing the treasure. Chewy?! A monstrously popular
Li’s movie star is bake sale.
7 The Timbertoes on the loose!
Mabel lost something. 15 Jokes
Who claimed it? 10 Goofus and “Butter who?”
Gallant

Goofus over-bubbles 16 As Good as Cinderella
his bath. Disappointment turns to
excitement when Shayna
11 Gallant finds a way to use her talents.
Challenge!

Taking steps to help 18 Crafts
the planet. Drippy spots make
colorful pots.
12 My Sci
Ouch! There would be
no petting this spiny
dinosaur.

What’s

So Funny?

Get the lowdown
on laughter!




























21 Earth Day Heroes 33 Paws and Think
These kids are making a Time to repair the road.
difference. You can too!
34 Your Own Pages
26 Goofy Garden See more drawings by

Harvest some humor in creative kids like Knoxville. Knoxville Rich
R
this punny flower patch. Age 7 • Georgia
36 What’s Behind Our
27 You Helped the Ha-Ha-Ha’s
Cartoonists! Why we laugh, and why 38 Riddles
“First rule of football: that’s good! What is an airplane’s
reach the ball.” favorite holiday?


28 Acres of Sheep 39 BrainPlay
Miranda was too excited Can you be startled by a
to sleep. sound you know is coming?

31 Missing Microphone 40 Ask Arizona
Can you solve the mystery? New stuff—at no cost.


32 Creepy-Crawly Pranks 42 Dear Highlights
“Bug” your family this Vivian wants to be
April Fools’ Day. worry-free on vacation.



APRIL 2020 5

Egg Hunt











By Eileen Spinelli • Art by Santy Gutiérrez


When someone said “GO!” at the egg hunt, I flew.

Gathered up eggs, yellow and blue.

Pink in the tall grass. Green in the clover.

Soon my basket was spilling over.




I saw a small boy who found only one.

By then the egg hunt was over and done.

He sat on the ground as sad as could be.

So I shared my eggs and he smiled at me.



6 APRIL 2020

The
The day was perfect for a springtime hike.
Timbertoes








By Rich Wallace • Art by Ron Zalme

Mabel saw something.




My
kite!




















A mighty wind had blown it away. Here’s They followed the trail.

another
piece!
































We must be Maybe I can But someone had already claimed it.
getting closer. fix it.





























APRIL 2020 7

Lig s, Camera . . .


Chewy









By Andrew N. Wong • Art by Stephen Gilpin















Cut, cut,


CUT!





















“Let’s try this again,” I said as
I put Chewy back on his mark. (I
had learned that mark means an

actor’s starting position.) I held
on to his leash, hit the big red
record button on the phone’s
had as much passion for acting screen, and yelled, “Action!”
as he has for chewing on things, This time, Chewy ran the

I thought. entire length of the backyard
And don’t even get me started without getting distracted. With
on the leash! What kind of the leash on, though, he didn’t
“Cut, cut, cut!” I shouted. Hollywood stunt dog wears a exactly appear to be in any real

But that didn’t stop Chewy from leash? It was Dad’s one rule, hurry to catch anyone. The only
chasing after the squirrels that though. Because Chewy was way to make this look real would
had caught his eye halfway only a puppy, I had to keep him be to take off the leash. But
through the shot. This was not on the leash whenever we filmed that would mean breaking the
at all how I pictured the big outside. As long as I followed promise I’d made to Dad.

chase scene of my movie that rule, I could use Dad’s old On the other hand, if I moved
playing out. cell phone to shoot my movie. quickly and was careful with my
“You’re supposed to be camera angles, would Dad ever
running after the cupcake thief, As long as I followed know about it?
not squirrels!” I said. Dad’s rule, I could After unhooking the leash,

But Chewy didn’t care. I put Chewy down on his mark
He had already moved on to use his old phone to and hit record. But before I
chewing his leash. If only he shoot the movie. could shout “action,” Chewy’s



8 APRIL 2020

ears popped up. He turned to Mrs. Yang’s
the sound of footsteps walking groceries spilled
past our driveway. It was
Mrs. Yang, our next-door all over the
neighbor. She was Chewy’s sidewalk.

favorite, probably because she
loved to give him treats.
Chewy bolted across the yard
and down the driveway. He

greeted Mrs. Yang with a bark
and playfully jumped in circles
around her.
“You must smell the doggy
biscuits I just bought for you,”

she said to him. That’s when
Chewy noticed her grocery bag.
As if it were one of his toys, he Dad when I was done with the to chew Dad’s shoelaces.
grabbed it with his mouth and story. “I think a week off from I nodded.

pulled. I watched in horror as using the camera should give “Well, I’d love to see it when
Mrs. Yang’s groceries spilled you enough time to figure out it’s finished. In fact, my son
all over the sidewalk. how to stick to our rule—and owns a coffee shop nearby, and
I wanted to apologize. I still make a good movie.” he has a screen and projector.
wanted to help Mrs. Yang I’ll ask him if we could have a

pick up her things. But then I In a panic, I viewing party there,” she said.
remembered something. If Dad grabbed Chewy “That would be incredible,” I
found out I had taken Chewy’s said. “Maybe Chewy could come
leash off, I wouldn’t be able to and ran inside see himself on the big screen.”

use his cell phone anymore. the house. Mrs. Yang chuckled. “Well, I’ll
Without a camera, I wouldn’t be be sure to bring some of those
able to finish my movie. In a I nodded. “I also need to talk doggy biscuits he loves. We
panic, I grabbed Chewy and ran to Mrs. Yang.” certainly wouldn’t want the
inside the house. Dad stood on the sidewalk movie star to go hungry during

All afternoon, I replayed the holding Chewy while I walked his own premiere.”
scene in my head—not the up to Mrs. Yang’s front door. My
heroic one from my movie of hands shook as I knocked.
Chewy saving the day but To my surprise, Mrs. Yang “Did you say you’re

the one of him tearing into answered with a smile. making a movie?”
Mrs. Yang’s bag. Over and over, I apologized to her for
I watched myself run away running away, for not helping
without apologizing or offering pick up her groceries. “I was
to pick up the mess. scared,” I admitted. “I was so

When Dad arrived home focused on trying to finish
that evening, I handed him his my movie that I made some
cell phone. bad decisions.”
“Did you finish shooting your “Apology accepted, Li,” said
movie already?” he asked. Mrs. Yang. “Did you say you’re

I shook my head and told him making a movie? About that
everything that had happened. puppy of yours?” She pointed
“Thanks for telling me,” said to Chewy, who was now trying

Goofus

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


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









Gallant uses only as much
soap as he needs.
























Goofus uses lots and lots
of bubble bath.









Gallant is careful when

he does a job.























“Whoops! Oh, well—at least

I’m quick,” says Goofus.







YOUR Goofus and Gallant Moments Tell us when you’ve felt like
Goofus or Gallant! Visit

“I felt like Goofus “I felt like Gallant HighlightsKids.com or write to

when I burped out when I made friends
loud without saying with a boy who needed Goofus and Gallant Moments

‘excuse me.’” a friend.” 803 Church Street
Misha, Age 6, New Mexico Emilio, Age 9, New Jersey Honesdale, PA 18431



10 APRIL 2020 Art by Leslie Harrington.





GALLANT CHALLENGE!
Earth Day

Challenge
Let’s What other steps can you and




Step your family take? Write and
let us know. Include your
name, age, and mailing
Up address. Mail to




Earth Day Challenge
Small steps add up. (Big steps 803 Church Street
do too! Read about some Earth Honesdale, PA 18431
Day Heroes on pages 21–25.)
There are LOTS of steps you

and your family can take that
help the planet and make a
difference. Here are a few ideas.


Turn off unused lights.

And consider using energy-
efficient light bulbs rather than
incandescent bulbs. Only about
10 percent of an incandescent’s

energy use makes light. The rest
is lost to heat.


Use less water.

Take shorter showers. A
10-minute shower can use 25
gallons, and a full bathtub can
use 30 gallons. Also, turning off
the tap as you brush your teeth

can save 8 gallons a day.


Avoid wasting food.
Don’t take more than you can

eat. Over one-third of food in the
U.S. is thrown out or wasted.


Use reusable containers.
Plastic and paper bags that

you use just once can pollute Care and repair. Use fewer paper towels.
oceans and add to landfills. Get long life out of things When you can, use
you own by taking good care of reusable rags instead of
Create less trash. them. If they break, can they be disposable paper towels.
Each person in the U.S. adds, fixed? Producing new goods uses Each year in the U.S.,

on average, 4 pounds of garbage energy and raw materials and paper-towel use dumps
to landfills per day. That’s about adds climate-warming carbon the weight of half a million
3 tons per year for a family of 4! dioxide to the atmosphere. elephants into landfills.



Art by Shaw Nielsen. APRIL 2020 11

Tardigrades are
MYSC This one doesn’t look
nearly see-through!

transparent because the
Tardigrades
image was made by a
are as small as special microscope, then

a grain of salt. colored so it would
Salt-Sized By Robert Lerose show up better.




The tiny tardigrade, a slow-moving
invertebrate also called a “water
bear” or “moss piglet,” is found
on every continent. Most live in

land environments, in soils or on A tubular
mosses and lichens. But they are organ in its
aquatic creatures and need at mouth
least a thin film of water sucks fluids

to be active. Without it, from tiny
these super survivors
dry up and their plants and
body processes animals.
nearly stop. Add
moisture, and

they become
active
again.














It uses six of
Without water, its puffy
its eight legs
body folds itself into a dry
to walk. The
form called a “tun.” It
rear legs face
looks like a tiny raisin. In
backward and
this protective state, it
can grab things.
can survive big changes
in oxygen levels,

temperature, and air
pressure—even the vacuum

and radiation of space!





the sides of the glass. Now pour in water

to fill the glass. Where’s the sticker?! You
Disappearing Act
N Now Try This: Put a sticker on the table. Cover can see it from above, but from the sides,
y you it with a clear drinking glass that has a flat it seems to have moved or disappeared!
s see Why? Think of your best answer, then read
i it . . . base and smooth sides. Walk around the
table, and you can see the sticker through our explanation on page 38.



12 APRIL 2020

Bajadasaurus By Dougal Dixon
Art by Robert Squier

bah-HAH-dah-SAW-rus
“Lizard from Bajada Colorada”
(the area in Argentina where
the fossil was found)


Bajadasaurus had a Long neck spines,
double row of spines pointing forward
down the back of
its neck. The long,
forward-pointing
spines may have been

good protection for
the vulnerable neck
when the head was
Why do dogs down to eat.



lean on you?


Josette Wilcox
Age 10 • Florida


You can take that
as a compliment. It’s
kind of like a dog hug!
Long ago, dogs
Fossils of only its
descended from
Legs like head and neck were
wolves. Wolves are
pillars, found, but its body
social animals used
to physical contact WHERE: supporting was probably like
its heavy that of its close
with their group. Argentina
body relatives.
Most dogs live with
humans now, not
with a dog group.
So people make up

dogs’ social groups.
Many dogs like some
physical contact with
their human families.

Often, a dog who
HOW LONG: Most other
leans on you is letting
35 feet sauropods had long
you know that it relies
necks and fed from
on you—its fellow
high trees. With
group member—for
its shorter neck,
play, socialization,
Bajadasaurus fed
and affection.
from the ground.
But if a leaning dog WHAT IT ATE:
seems anxious, weak, Low-growing plants WHEN:
or unhealthy, you 140 million years ago

and a parent can talk
with a veterinarian to 252 201 145 66 Present
find out how to help. Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous Cenozoic



APRIL 2020 13

Want a
challenge?

Fold back page 15
to hide the
picture clues.
A Monster of a Sale



By Gina Perry

























































































In this big picture, find the slice of watermelon, ice-cream cone, crown, ladder,
heart, slice of pizza, domino, peanut, candle, comb, ice pop, ring, drinking straw,
sock, artist’s brush, feather, eyeglasses, shoe, crescent moon, and key.



14 APRIL 2020 Visit HiddenPictures.com for more puzzling fun!

J O E a really funny
Picture Clues K S Want to hear


pizza joke?



Sure.
ice-cream “Knock, knock.”
slice of cone
watermelon “Who’s there?”
Oh, never

“Butter.” mind! It’s too
cheesy.
slice of
“Butter who?”
pizza Ha-ha!
Hey . . .
“Butter no one!
crown
No one wants to be



heart covered in butter!”
ladder

domino Jacob Larson, Maryland Ellyette Howerton, Florida

Onion #1: Why are you A book never written: My Life in
peanut crying? the Amazon by Anna Conda.

candle Onion #2: I got a cut. Ahilan Iyer-Khandhar, Maryland
comb Zev Oster, Georgia
Make us laugh!
Izzy: What does a plant do
Send a joke or riddle, along with your
ice pop when it gets lost? name, age, and address, to

ring Claire: I don’t know. What?
Izzy: It re-roots.
803 Church Street
drinking Izzy Jacques, Louisiana Honesdale, PA 18431
straw






artist’s sock Crescent
brush
feather
I’m just a slender slip of white
eyeglasses and not the bright round moon you knew.
But I’ll be round again and bright.
It’s just a phase I’m going through.


shoe —Robert Schechter

crescent
moon key





BONUS


Can you also find

the paper clip,
umbrella, fishhook,
and toothbrush?






Answers on HighlightsKids.com.

As Good as




Cinderella By Julia Gousseva







Art by Gillian Reid







“How did tryouts go, Shayna?” “All right,” I said. “But only today.”

Mom asked after school. In the auditorium, Ms. Carson
“Terrible,” I said. “Kristie got handed out copies of the script to the


Cinderella’s part!” cast. I sat in the third row, wishing I
“What part did you get?” Mom asked. were in my room drawing.

“None,” I whispered. I ran to my room Ms. Carson pulled a cardboard castle

and started drawing in my sketchbook. onto the middle of the stage. It was

Drawing always makes me feel better. brown with small windows and doors.


“What part did you get?” Ms. Carson turned on the music, and
Kristie and the Prince started dancing.
Mom asked.
I had to admit, Kristie was really good.
“None,” I whispered.
Ms. Carson hit a metal triangle with a

The next day, Kristie was bubbly. little stick 12 times. Kristie ran off the
But when the last bell rang, her mood stage and dropped her left sneaker. The

changed. “I’m nervous, Shayna,” she curtain came down.

said. “Will you come to rehearsal?” “Thanks, everyone,” said Ms. Carson.

I wanted to say no. Then I realized “We’ll go through the rest tomorrow.”

I couldn’t leave yet. My parents had “When will we get the real sets?”

signed me up for the late bus because Kristie pointed to the cardboard castle.

I thought I’d be in the play. “These are the real sets,” Ms. Carson

said. “We don’t have an art teacher this

year. So that’s the best we could do.”
Kristie and I walked outside.




Drawing always

makes me feel better.

Finally, opening


night arrived.


















































“You were great,” I said. “Everyone Over the next weeks, a corner of the

will love the play.” lunchroom was filled with cardboard

“Thanks,” Kristie said. “But did you and paints. And lots of kids painting.
see the sets?” Finally, opening night arrived. I sat

I thought for a moment. “Maybe next to Mom and Dad in the auditorium.

there’s something we can do.” When the curtain rose, everyone saw

I spent that evening drawing. In the a magical land with rolling hills, a

morning, I stuck my sketchbook into fancy carriage, and a glittering castle.

my backpack and ran to the bus. Kristie was a wonderful Cinderella,

The day dragged. Finally, the last and everyone applauded when the

bell rang. “Thanks for yesterday,” play was over.

Kristie said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then Ms. Carson called me up to the
“I’m not going home yet,” I said. “I stage. She said into the microphone,

have something to show Ms. Carson.” “I’d like to thank the many students

After Ms. Carson saw my ideas, she who painted the sets. And a special

talked to some other teachers. They thanks to Shayna, who designed them.

liked my ideas too. Her effort and talent made tonight

extra special.”
Over the next weeks, a corner of Everyone clapped. For me! I did get

the lunchroom was filled with a part in the play after all. And it was

cardboard and paints. just as good as being Cinderella.




APRIL 2020 17

Crafts Drip Pots








1. Paint clear sealer onto with a few drops of water
the inside and outside of a so that it drips like milk.
terra-cotta pot. Let it dry. 4. Place the pot upside down
2. Paint the outside of the pot on a covered surface. Drip
with white acrylic paint. the watery paint onto the

Let it dry. pot. Let it dry.
3. Mix another color of paint 5. Add a coat of clear sealer.









































































Easter 1. Fold a sheet of



cardstock in half.
Chick Draw an egg shape

along the fold. Cut it
Card out. Cut off the top of

the front in a zigzag.



18 APRIL 2020 Crafts by Lisa Glover. Art by Mike Lowery.
Photos by Jim Filipski, Guy Cali Associates, Inc.

CRAFT CHALLENGE! Use items from
nature to make your version of Earth.
































El l lij










Passover


Goblets




During the Jewish

holiday of Passover,

extra goblets are
placed on the

Seder table for the
prophets Elijah

and Miriam to
symbolize hope for

a peaceful world.


1. Brush tacky glue
onto half of a

plastic goblet.
2. Wrap yarn around
the glue-covered
half. Let it dry.
3. Repeat steps 1

2. Trace the egg shapes onto and 2 to cover the
scrapbook paper. Cut them out. other half.
Glue them to the egg. 4. Glue on pompoms
3. Cut out a chick, rabbit ears, and other and a cardstock tag.
details from scrapbook paper. Glue

them to the card. Add a message.



APRIL 2020 19

Make a

Move





By Clare Mishica

Mr. and Mrs. Melody are
planning to move into a
new house. Mr. Melody is a
music teacher and goes to

the school 5 days a week.
Mrs. Melody manages a
music shop and works 6 days
a week. Which house should
they choose if they want to
travel the fewest total miles

to and from work each week?















































Answer on
page 38.





What’s the Word? By Radha HS


In each pair below, think of a word that can go at the end of the first
word and at the beginning of the second word to make two new words.


EXAMPLE: 1. CAT_ _ _KIN 5. SNOW_ _ _KIND
MOUNTAIN_ _ _ _WALK = SIDE 2. LIGHT_ _ _ _ _KEEPER 6. SEA_ _ _ _ _LINE

(MOUNTAINSIDE AND SIDEWALK) 3. HORSE_ _ _ _YARD 7. CHALK_ _ _ _ _WALK
4. SLEEP_ _ _ _BOARD 8. STAR_ _ _ _NET

Answers on page 38.


20 APRIL 2020

A







EAR T H D Y H O
ER














ES





























































April 22 is
Earth Day’s 50th
birthday! The event joined in, and
was created in 1970 to the government

celebrate our planet, inform passed new laws to
people about environmental conserve endangered species
problems, and inspire them to act. and cut pollution.
Before that, few laws protected our environment. Now, Earth Day is celebrated around the world.
Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin believed the We still face many challenges, such as climate

nation was ignoring vital issues. He put together a change, plastic pollution, and deforestation. But
staff to promote rallies, protests, and festivities across we can all make a difference. Turn the page to read
the United States. It worked! About 20 million people about some Earth-helping heroes.



Art by Jared Andrew Schorr. APRIL 2020 21

Her Trees Save Lives


Adeline Tiffanie Suwana was 12 when her

family’s home flooded. Indonesia, her island
nation, is often hit hard by floods and other
natural disasters.
She wanted to help. Studying the problem,

she learned that mangrove trees play a key role
in flood protection. Their big, tangled roots slow
floodwaters and keep soil from washing away.
But the trees were being cut down.
Adeline rallied classmates to plant 200

mangrove saplings during a school break. They
started a group called Sahabat Alam, or Friends
of Nature, which works to conserve the region’s
biodiversity, combat climate change, and teach
environmental awareness. They even started a

project to get clean energy to remote villages.
Today, Adeline attends university, studying
how businesses can help the environment.



22 APRIL 2020

Teens’



Two-Fold


Invention





EPS—expanded polystyrene foam—is
the white, lightweight stuff used to make
things like insulated cups, takeout-food

containers, foam egg cartons, and
packing “peanuts.” Often called
Styrofoam, it’s mostly air with about
5 percent plastic, but it takes up a lot
of space and is difficult to recycle. In

addition to crowding landfills, EPS
breaks into small pieces as it floats down
waterways into oceans, harming wildlife
along the way.

Three teenagers in Ohio worked
together to invent a way to not only
keep it out of landfills but to filter water
as well. Frustrated by seeing EPS
pollution, eighth-graders Julia Bray,

Luke Clay, and Ashton Cofer looked at
EPS’s chemical makeup and saw that it
was mostly carbon. That sparked an
idea. Could they turn it into activated

carbon, a material that filters toxins
from water?
After 50 hours of experiments,
including one that accidentally set the
family grill on fire, they succeeded!

Now they are working with businesses
to develop the idea so that people
everywhere can recycle EPS, resulting
in less litter and cleaner water.













PROTEST POWER

At age 15, Greta Thunberg (at right) of Sweden held a one-person protest, sitting
outside Sweden’s legislature to call for more action against climate change. Her
activism since then has inspired millions of people worldwide. Letters and petitions

can also help raise awareness. Athena Hanna, age 9, and her family wrote to
Highlights and started a petition, encouraging us to reduce our use of plastic. Having
already decreased the number of magazines mailed in plastic to 6 percent, we were
spurred by their efforts to try to keep improving that number.

Solar for



Her School




When Claire Vlases of
Montana was in seventh grade,
she learned about plans to
expand and modernize her

middle school. Claire asked the
school board to add solar panels
to the project because, she
explained, clean energy
would contribute to a truly

modern school.
The board liked the idea but
said it could contribute just
$25,000—one-fifth of the cost.

So Claire organized a group of
kids and adults who set to work
raising the rest. They wrote grant
requests, put on a talent show
and other fund-raisers, and

asked for donations, even going
door-to-door for them at
Halloween. And they appealed
to charitable foundations too.

One donated more than half
the cost!



“Never give up.


Hard work one-fourth of the school’s and have a big impact on the


pays off.” electricity needs—saving the community,” Claire said. “There
district thousands of dollars. are always going to be barriers

“My favorite part about this and hard parts. When there’s a
After two years of hard work, project was that one person challenge presented to you, use
the group paid for the solar could start something small it as a learning moment and an
panels, which now supply and then the project could grow opportunity to overcome it.”









A KID AGAINST LEAKING CHEMICALS
At age seven, Asvini Thivakaran of Texas learned that batteries thrown

in the trash leak dangerous chemicals into soil and water. Asvini started a
battery-recycling program in her school and community that has already
kept more than 50,000 batteries out of landfills.



24 APRIL 2020

IT’S YOUR TURN!



By Heather R. Taft, Ph.D.


You can be a hero for the environment! See page 11 for a few ideas.
And check out this pile of trash. How many of these things can you recycle?
Communities have their own recycling rules, so find out what can

be recycled where you live. Here are some common guidelines.



RECYCLE NOT
THESE! THESE!








Paper Paper
(unless it’s towels
wadded, and
greasy, or wet) napkins











Flattened Loose
boxes
bottle caps
(they fall out
of the
machine)



Glass
bottles
Plastic
cups









Soda
cans
Light
bulbs*



Batteries*






Plastic
bottles
Tin cans


Foam
cartons









* Recycle these as hazardous waste—not in the regular recycling bin. APRIL 2020 25

BONUS!

How many words
can you make from

the letters in
GARDEN?





































































































26 APRIL 2020 Art by Jim Bradshaw.

You Helped the







Cartoonists!






Thanks for your funny captions! Here are a few,
along with the cartoonists’ original ideas.











Cartoonist Bob Vojtko
wrote this caption:

“Wow! That was a

realistic beach

movie!” Cartoonist Scott Nickel

came up with this caption:
Cartoonist Ken Benner

“That’s the best 4-D “This game is going to created this caption:
movie I’ve ever seen.” take forever!” “Be sure to eat your
Nathan Greway
Age 9 • Pennsylvania frozen vegetables.”
“How about we just call it a tie?”
“I’m just glad it wasn’t Ian Kelnar
about spiders.” Age 12 • Texas “Don’t worry. I didn’t heat it.”
Katie Day “Why didn’t Mom sign us up John Jones
Age 11 • Colorado Age 8 • Tennessee
for soccer?”
“So that’s where my dirt Tori West
and gravel collection went!” Age 11 • California “Quick! Eat your ice soup
before it gets warm.”
Ana Jones “Are we supposed to eat that?”
Age 12 • Illinois Sage Barlett
Austin Hartsog Age 10 • Arizona
“Now, if I just had a little Age 10 • Missouri
water . . .” “First rule of football: reach “How are the snow peas?”

Malachi Anaya the ball.” Asher LaPierre
Age 12 • Georgia Age 9 • New York
Caroline Laidlaw
“The movie is now shoe-ing!” Age 12 • Oregon “This iceberg salad is
Chandra Sengupta “The Jurassic Quarter.”
Age 6 • North Carolina chilling me.”
Sean Reynolds
Isabella Steik
“There’s gotta be a ticket Age 10 • South Carolina Age 8 • Illinois

in here somewhere. It’s my “Oh, I knew we should have let
lucky shoe!” the Velociraptors play!” “Do you smell carrots?”
Lauren Abbott
Gerald Robertson Emma Kate Sazonov
Age 9 • Florida Age 10 • Virginia Age 10 • Kentucky

“There. The movie is done.” “Prepare to be T-wrecked!” “This is snow good!”
Rhea Singhal Simon Alvaro Lily Crowley
California Age 8 • New York Age 7 • Massachusetts



APRIL 2020 27

Acres of Sheep








to Help You Sleep







By Nancy Kichline • Art by Forrest Burdett







Miranda’s cousins
would be visiting the

next day. She was Morning is
so excited, she just
couldn’t sleep. so far away!










































Pretend you’re
Finally, she stumbled to the kitchen to find Mom. counting sheep.
That will help Sheep?

you relax. Like
I can’t sleep, It’ll get here Percy?
Mom. When fast once you’re OK.

will morning sleeping.
get here?




















28 APRIL 2020

Back in bed, Miranda closed her eyes
and counted. It became confusing fast. Miranda returned to the kitchen.


Count them
j
The field as they ump
is crowded! over a fence.
The sheep That makes things
keep moving run smoothly.
around.



. . . 21, 22, 23 . . .
Wait! Didn’t I just

count that one?














Miranda counted as sheep jumped Miranda imagined she was a traffic cop,
over the fence. But on the other but she could not straighten out that jam.
side, there was a traffic jam.





































OK, Percy,
Anything let’s see where
you want those sheep

them to, want to go.
dear!


What do they
do after they
jump the

fence?













APRIL 2020 29

It turned out that some sheep Some sheep spread a blanket
ket
wanted to catch a bus to the city. on the hill for afternoon tea.
a














. . . 6, 7, 8,
9, 10 . . .



. . . 11, 12,
13, 14 . . .












And some sheep found shady spots where they could nap.


































Miranda’s eyes began to droop. But Miranda was too tired to hear him.




Hey, don’t fall
asleep! There
are still a lot of

us to count!

























30 APRIL 2020

Missing




Microphone




By Clare Mishica • Art by Mike Moran

Tonight is the

Crittertown Talent
Show. But Allie
Gator can’t find her
lucky microphone!
She suspects it was

accidentally taken from
backstage between
7:00 and 7:09, while
she was changing in

the dressing room. The
other performers all had
access to the backstage
area. Use the clues
to figure out which

performer could have
taken the microphone
between 7:00 and 7:09.






CLUES

• Bella Phant practiced her four
songs in a practice room starting
at 6:30. Each song took 11 minutes

to practice.
• Howie Wolfer spent 10 minutes
practicing his scales and 10 minutes

rehearsing his song. He started
practicing 19 minutes after Bella

Phant started.

• Red Bird practiced her violin
15 minutes more than Bella
Phant practiced, but she started BONUS!

9 minutes later. How many
hidden music
• Gerry Raffe finished practicing his notes can
cello 40 minutes before Red Bird you find?
finished practicing.




Answer on
page 38. 31
APRIL 2020

Creepy-Crawly






Pranks









“Bug” your friends


and family this
April Fools’ Day! Squirmy Surprise

• Make a hole in an
apple with a straw

or chopstick.
• Poke a gummy worm
into the hole.




















Sandwich Scare


• Draw ants on a
sandwich bag with
a black pen.

• Pack your sibling a
“buggy” lunch.










Spider



Escape




• Write on a • Watch your friends
paper cup: “Do and family look Light Fright
not lift. HUGE around nervously • Cut a big, creepy bug
• Place the cup
spider trapped for the spider. shape from black
on a table and
underneath!” construction paper.
knock it over.
• Tape the bug to the
inside of a lampshade.




THE PRANKSTERS’ CODE Use your sense of humor and good judgment, and only pull pranks that prankees are likely to find funny! 



Art by Rich Powell.
32 APRIL 2020

Paws and

Repairing the Road
Think








































































What machines do you see here?
How might workers use these
machines to fix the road?



What are some reasons roads need

repair? Why might certain roads need
to be fixed more often than others?


How can you tell that safety is
important at this job site?



Have you seen road crews at work?
What are some things you’ve noticed? I’ll help with


the digging!






Art by David Coulson.

Your Own




Pages




















Ethan Sanvitale
Age 5 • Oregon




Help the World

Bullying is bad.
Winnie
Bullying means being a bad citizen.
A good citizen is a person who
Snag a rag.
gives peace.
Shampoo too.
Being peaceful means being a
Don’t forget
person who stops violence.
a hand or two.
If you make the world a better place,
Grab your sister.
Everybody will be peaceful
Grab your brother.
and happy.
Maybe even get your mother.
Barin Barthwell
Tub or sink,
Florida
whatever you think.
Don’t be surprised,
it can change in a blink.
Anthony Knepp Hurry, hurry, Joy Machine
Age 8 • Indiana scrub with fury. Sofia Samuel

Quick! The dog is Age 9 • Maryland
sure to scurry.
Dry her off in a hurry.
Harloh Roberson
Age 10 • Kansas Running


I ran.

My lungs were

burning, grasping

Waiting: A Haiku for air.

My breathless,
For the bus, for a
empty, puffing
Cake to bake in the oven.
chest could stand
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick.
it no more.
Madeline Aldrich
Age 11 • Pennsylvania Eva Selaya-Mendez So I stopped.
Age 7 • Massachusetts Eleora Williamson
Age 11 • Texas


34 APRIL 2020

Days and Nights

On windy nights,
you’re filled with frights

On sunny days, The red truck
you go and play
On party days, Looks like a fire truck

you say hooray! Sounds like a growling motor
When you go
to bed at night Smells like fuel
You get tucked in Tastes like old grease
nice and tight Feels like a smooth

Aiden Cooper
Age 5 • Michigan candy cane

The red truck.
Daniel Allen
Age 8 • California




Claira Balzer
Age 7 • Minnesota






Frank Gregersen
Age 7 • Alaska





Addison Alberts
Age 8 • Virginia
What should I say to the trees
Because they make paper for us
What should I say to the air
Because it is the breath in us
What should I say to the earth
Because it cares for us

Naman Agrwal
Age 5 • New Jersey



I look through the window,
drinking my hot chocolate.
I watch the snowflakes land
softly on the ground.
Share Your
With each snowflake, the
Creative Work
ground gets more covered
We’d love to see it!
in snow.
Art must be on unlined paper.
Now it’s like a big white
Poems must have fewer than
blanket has covered 75 words. All submissions
must be created by you.
the whole entire city.
We cannot
I hear the sounds Include your name, age,
return your and address. Mail to
Cat and Dog of children laughing. work, so you

Dana Hinderliter What a wonderful sight, I say, might want to
keep a copy. Your Own Pages
Age 9 • Idaho what a wonderful sight.
803 Church Street
Radha Nagrani
Honesdale, PA 18431
Age 8 • New York

What’s











Behind



Our












Art by Rob Justus






Just about


everyone
laughs—


even babies.

Laughter is


natural, but

what do we
know about it?














Laughing Helps

Our Bodies

When we laugh,
our heart rate goes up, It’s Contagious!

sending oxygen to our Scientists believe
blood, muscles, brain, laughter helps people

and lungs. bond. We’re 30 times more
Chemicals called likely to laugh with others
endorphins are than alone. Just seeing

released in our brain. people giggling can make
This lowers stress and us laugh, even if nothing

makes us feel good. very “funny” was said. Want
to laugh more? Spend time
LAUGH-O-METER with family and friends!

TITTER CHUCKLE CHORTLE GIGGLE LOL




36 APRIL 2020

WHY IS

THAT
Nervous Laughter FUNNY?


Have you ever found What we find
yourself laughing when funny depends
you’re “not supposed to”?
a lot on our age,
Laughing is one way we
personality, and
let go of tension. When
where we live.
we’re uneasy, our body
But here are
may respond with laughter.
some of the more
We don’t decide to laugh—
general reasons
it just happens. people laugh.






Do Animals Have

a Sense of Humor?

Your dog won’t be

cracking up at your
knock-knock jokes. But
We’re caught
scientists have found that
by surprise.
at least two animals—apes
and rats—make “play”

sounds when they’re
tickled. Apes make panting
sounds and rats chirp.










Others’ silly
mistakes make us

feel better about
ourselves.




















We’re

communicating
GUFFAW SHRIEK HOWL friendly feelings.




APRIL 2020 37

Tongue Twisters R D D L E S
I










What does a
cat use to stir
1 pancake batter?

Madilyn Murchison, Texas




Kate has a kite and a cat. What is harder to catch 2
Kate made a cake for her cat. the faster you run?
The cat ate the cake, Henry Staykov, Tennessee
and Kate flew the kite.


Joey What is a dog’s
Age 9 • China 3 favorite vegetable?
Bryn Ienna, Oregon




page 20 Why did the child cross 4
the playground?
Answers Make a Move Aiden Karrh, South Carolina
House 1 = 112 miles per week.
House 2 = 110 miles per week.
House 3 = 74 miles per week.
House 4 = 116 miles per week. How can you
page 2 Mr. and Mrs. Melody should 5

Fun This Month move into House 3 to travel tell when a
Lily’s Lollipops the fewest miles each week.
What’s the Word?
Mystery Photo—Spork.
1. NAP. 2. HOUSE. 3. BACK or traffic light
page 12 BARN. 4. OVER. 5. MAN.
6. SHORE. 7. BOARD. 8. FISH.
My Sci is sick?
Disappearing Act—We page 31
see objects because light Madeline Powers, New York
reflects off them and Missing Microphone
travels to our eyes. Usually Gerry Raffe finished practicing at 6:58. What kind of bird doesn’t
light moves through air. He could have taken the microphone go to the barber? 6
But it travels a bit more between 7:00 and 7:09. Jack Kocha, Wisconsin
slowly through water than
through air. The light bends, page 43
or “refracts,” where the air Picture
and water meet. When you Puzzler What has 10 wheels and flies?
stand to one side of the 7 Rhys Christensen, North Carolina
glass, the light reflecting
off it bounces to a different
spot rather than to your
eyes. Light can play a What is an airplane’s
disappearing act on you! Owen Adams-Mao, California 8
favorite holiday?

Covers: Happy Spring! by Shiloh Gordon; What’s Wrong? by Kelly Kennedy
Illustration credits: Page 2: Kevin Zimmer; 13: (dog) Michelle Simpson, (map) Josh Lewis; 20: Make a Move by Chris
Eliopoulos, What’s the Word? by Joey Ellis; 38: Pat Lewis; 39: Erin Mauterer, except (speech balloons) by iStock/Getty
Images/lattesmile, (lightning bolts) by iStock/Getty Images/Sudowoodo. Photo credits: Page 2: (gummy bear) E+/Getty
Images/subjug, (television) iStock/Getty Images/turk_stock_photographer, (plastic eggs) iStock/Getty Images/Patrick26, What did the baby corn
(spork) iStock/Getty Images Plus/busypix; 3: Gina Lenz; 4: (penguin) iStock/Getty Images Plus/JamesMDrakeMedia;
4–5: (boys) iStock/Getty Images Plus/monkey business images; 12: (top) Eye of Science/Science Source, (bottom) Jim say to the mama corn?
Filipski, Guy Cali Associates, Inc.; 15: iStock/Getty Images/Eerik; 21 and 25: (background) iStock/Getty Images Plus/natrot; 9 Izetta Jones, Arkansas
22: (trees) iStock/Getty Images Plus/Damocean; 23: Liv Oeian/Alamy Stock Photo; 24: courtesy of Mahendran Thivakaran;
23 and 24: (background) E+/Getty Images/sorendls; 25: iStock/Getty Images Plus/photka; 39: (boy) E+/Getty Images/
wundervisuals, (hockey player) iStock/Getty Images/Jonah_H, (horse) iStock/Getty Images/Ambramova_Kseniya, (dog)
iStock/Getty Images/GlobalP, (bee) iStock/Getty Images/Antagain, (pickle) iStock/Getty Images/domnicky, (whistle) iStock/ (the skies). 9. “Where’s popcorn?”
Getty Images/suthep onsrithong, (insect) iStock/Getty Images/nechaev-kon. 8. Halloween, because it can go in disguise

38 APRIL 2020 6. A bald eagle. 7. A garbage truck. 4. To get to the other slide. 5. It turns green. 1. A whisk-er. 2. Your breath. 3. Bark-oli.

Where
do START

on a hike!
you Take your brain
Would a chair make usually

a good pool toy? feel


really

relaxed? Name some

things you can
How is a still do when

personal goal the power
like a goal goes out.
In one
you’d aim for
in a sport? word,
how
bee?
would

“We paid a you dog?

fair fare for describe a . . .
a fair day at horse?


the fair.”
use
What do you
Can you use a
few meanings
that jar?
comes in a
of a word in the
same sentence?


Is an egg more
likely to break

if a chicken sits
on it or if it’s What
dropped on are three

the floor? THAT’S questions
TRUE.
WHY? I DO! you

could
Can you be startled answer If you could

by a sound this way? be an insect,
VEN IF which kind


OU KNOW would you be? THE
END

’S COMING? WHY?






39

Ask



izona























“You just gave

me an idea!”






the year, and we always make
a little money. I bet my parents

would let the three of us have
An Even Trade a mini sale in our front yard

this weekend.”
“I definitely have some old

By Lissa Rovetch • Art by Amanda Morley things I could sell,” said Mareya.
“Me too!” I said. “My dad is
always asking me to get rid
Dear Seller, Mareyas are staring back.” of stuff.”

My tip is to get a boat because Kelsey giggled. “The shop had “Perfect,” said Kelsey. “This

it’s way easier to sail a boat two more backpacks like this. is going to be awesome!”
than it is to sail a garage! Um, You should go and get them.” Luckily, our parents were all
seriously, though, I don’t have “I wish,” I said. “There’s no OK with the plan. We met on
any very helpful garage sale-ing way my parents will buy me a Friday afternoon to make signs,
tips, but I do have an idea for brand-new backpack when my bake cookies, and figure out our

something you can do instead. old one is still in one piece.” cash-box system.
My friends and I stumbled upon “Same,” Mareya said. “My “Wow!” I said. “All we have to
it by accident. mom likes to remind me that do tomorrow is put everything
Mareya and I were practicing money doesn’t grow on trees.” out and get rich!”

some karate moves in front “Ding, ding!” said Kelsey. But sadly (or maybe happily),
of Mareya’s house when her “You just gave me an idea!” it didn’t quite turn out that way.
neighbor Kelsey walked by. “To plant money-tree seeds?” Here’s what happened the next
“Whoa,” I said to Kelsey. I asked. day as we were setting up.
“The material on your backpack “Wait,” said Kelsey to

looks like a million tiny mirrors. “I bet my parents Mareya. “You’re selling that
That’s the coolest thing ever!” would let us have whale T-shirt?”
“Thanks!” said Kelsey. “I just “Yeah,” said Mareya. “I’ve
bought it at that new Sun-Star a mini sale.” worn it forever.”
shop on Market Street.” “I have always loved that

Mareya put her face close Kelsey laughed. “No. The idea shirt,” said Kelsey. “I definitely
to the magical backpack and of making cash. My family has need to buy it!”
laughed. “Look! A million tiny an annual garage sale later in “And I’ve been looking



40 APRIL 2020

busy shoppers!” said Kelsey. “Can
we offer you these complimentary
homemade cookies instead?”
Here’s the bad news: Because
we either gave away (or ate) our
cookies and traded instead of

sold almost all of our things, we
didn’t make enough money to buy
those backpacks. But here’s the
good news: all three of us ended

up with a bunch of fantastic stuff
that didn’t cost us a single cent!
So, dear Seller, if you’d actually
like to make some money, be sure
to sell your merchandise instead

of giving it away. But if you’d
like to get rid of some toys and
everywhere for a cozy, fuzzy You can probably see where find some new ones, think about
hoodie exactly like this!” this is going. By the time we’d organizing a toy swap and then

said Mareya. scooped up everything we wanted, donating what’s left to charity.
I spied a neon-orange there wasn’t much to sell. And Trading what you already have
San Francisco Giants cap. instead of figuring out exactly instead of buying new stuff
“This is great!” I said. “Which how much we owed each other, we isn’t just a fun thing to do with
one of you is selling it?” decided to call it an even trade. friends. It’s also a great way to

“Wow, we should have stopped cut down on some of the clutter
After we scooped up by sooner,” a woman said, looking on our planet.
at our empty tables.
everything we “I guess the early bird Ciao for now,


wanted, there wasn’t really does get the worm!” said Arizona
her friend.
much to sell. “Yes, we had some, uh, very








































“I have always

loved that shirt.”

Dear



Highlights










The rubber Whenever my sister and I

spacers in read, she reads out loud.


my teeth are It’s annoying.
Evelyn, Texas
uncomfortable.
The next time you and your
How can I avoid sister are going to read, you
might say something such as
picking them out? “I like reading with you nearby,


Camden, Oklahoma but I hope you’ll read quietly.
It’s hard for me to concentrate
You and your parents might ask your dentist or orthodontist when you read out loud.”
if there’s any way to make the spacers more comfortable. You Sometimes annoying
can also ask how the spacers work and what they are doing for behaviors become less
your teeth. Once you know their purpose, you may find it easier annoying if we understand why

to leave them in. a person is doing them. Your
When you feel the urge to remove the spacers, do something sister might have a good reason
to keep your hands busy. Draw, write, juggle, or solve a Rubik’s for reading this way. Maybe it
cube. You can even try sitting on your hands! helps her understand what she’s

reading. You can try asking her
nicely why she reads out loud.
Then listen to her reasons.

When I go on If she continues to read
vacation, I get out loud, you can wear foam
earplugs if your parents say it’s
scared when I get
OK. You can read in another
close to the airport room. Or you can try to ignore
security scanner. the distraction. It’s not easy,

Vivian, Alaska but it can be done. Try to get
so absorbed in what you’re
The scanners at reading that you block out the
airports help keep noise around you. This is a skill
travelers safe. you can also use in school to do

Perhaps your family work in a noisy classroom.
could make a plan the
next time you fly. For
example, a parent could

go through the scanner Write to us!
first. You could go second, and another family member could Please include your name, age,
go next. Being between two people you know may help you feel and full address. Mail to
more comfortable. Or a parent might ask the person working the Dear Highlights
scanner if he or she could scan you with a wand instead. 803 Church Street

Learning how the scanner works might help you fear it less. Honesdale, PA 18431
You and a parent could do some research before your next trip. Or e-mail us at Letters@Highlights.com.




42 APRIL 2020 Art by Keith Frawley.

Picture Puz z ler Art by Dave Whamond




Can you find a beach ball, a hot dog, a striped hat, 4 pairs of twin dinos,


a backpack, a red flag, an ice-cream cone, a green T-shirt,

3 baseball caps, a watermelon, and a pink chair?











































































































Answers on page 38.

What’s

Wrong?



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
















































































Visit our website!