Kazoo magazine 11: The Happy Issue by Kazoo magazine

ISSUE 11 | THE HAPPY ISSUE

I L LU ST R AT I O N BY O LGA Z A K H A ROVA / I STO C K P H OTO.

COLOR THIS PAGE!

kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

TICKL E HELLO THERE

Say this three times fast.

TONGUE TWISTER

EDITOR’S LETTER

I L LU ST R AT I O N BY L I B BY VA N D E R P LO EG.

Welcome to the Happy issue! We’re turning up the sunshine, bringing the laughs, and celebrating all the goodness in the world and each other. Because choosing joy, love, and kindness over sadness, hate, or fear is one of the most powerful things you can ever do. In this issue, your joy ambassadors include: comedian Ellen DeGeneres with her secret to happiness; bestselling author Bunmi Laditan with a feel-good story about a hopeful kid; New Yorker cartoonist Emily Flake with a comic on Eleanor Roosevelt; Pop Art megastar

JOIN THE

kazoo FAN CLUB

Ashley Longshore with a color-bydot and some colorful mantras to live by; Katie Rowe, co-founder of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, with a story on how we’re all connected; chef Libby Willis of MeMe’s Diner in Brooklyn with a recipe to make you smile; Alvin Ailey dancer Courtney Celeste Spears with a happy dance; and more! Today is your day, Noisemakers! Enjoy it!

XO,

Follow us online for daily inspiration, free prizes, fun how-to videos, and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses of Kazoo’s headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Plus, if you post your picture with Kazoo and tag us @kazoomagazine, we’ll re-share it. We love seeing our Noisemakers in action!

A HAPPY, HOPEFUL HIPPO HOPPED HOME.

Fa c e b o o k .c o m / ka zo o m a g a z i n e Tw i t t e r. c o m / k a z o o m a g a z i n e Instagram.com/kazoomagazine Yo u t u b e . c o m / k a z o o m a g a z i n e

COVER CREDIT: HAND-LETTERING BY ALYSSA WIGANT. ILLUSTRATIONS BY CORINNA LUYKEN. PHOTO BY TRAVELER1116 (WALL); YVAN DUBE , DAWN POLAND, AND CHEREZOFF (BALLOON TIES); KYOSHINO (BALLOONS); AND BORCHEE (SNOW) FOR ISTOCKPHOTO. EXPERT ILLUSTRATIONS THROUGHOUT: CORINNA LUYKEN.

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T IC K LE MANTRA

[ First Things First ]

Carry this page with you to the nearest mirror and hold it up in front of you. Read the message out loud. Then, repeat whenever necessary.

CHECK THE BOX !

Mark off everything you do when you’re happy—and you know it.

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" Clap your hands " Shout hooray " Stomp your feet " Other ____________

TICKL E SECRET CODE

“

” —HELEN

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B R A I L L E FO N T C O U RT E SY O F PA P E R Z I P.C O.U K .

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T IC K LE TANGLE

Follow Your Path

Answers: (Dots from left to right) yellow to light green; light orange to light blue; dark orange to yellow; red to brown; pink to light orange; purple to black; navy to dark orange; light blue to red; light green to purple; dark green to navy; brown to pink; black to dark green 4 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

I L LU ST R AT I O N BY P E T E R H E R M E S F U R I A N / I STO C K P H OTO.

Your journey may not always take you where you thought it wouldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve, but tracking every twist is part of what makes it so beautiful. See for yourself. Trace each line with your finger to see where you end up and watch the color change along the way.

COLOR ME HAPPY

TICKL E

C UR IO

SILL

S AD

S U RP

HAPP

ED AR

E IS

D RE

We often associate certain colors with different emotions. In fact, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re linked. Scientists have discovered that looking at various colors can actually change the beat of your heart and the activity in your brain. They also found that people surround themselves with certain colors based on their moods. To explore the shades of your emotions, grab some crayons and color these shapes. Then, step back and look at the beautiful rainbow inside of you.

YOUR PALETTE

EXCITED

NGRY

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T IC K LE HEART X-RAY

KNOW YOUR HEART Imagine you can take a special X-ray of your heart. What would you find inside? Draw all the things that you love and that make you feel good. Then, refer back to this picture whenever you need a reminder of what really matters.

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FREE! Good Vibes!

SPREAD JOY PAYING SOMEONE A SINCERE COMPLIMENT CAN SET OFF A HAPPY CHAIN REACTION. When you lift up someone else, they’ll feel better, and the happier they feel, the more likely they are to spread kindness too. Try it by cutting out and

Tear off a tab for yourself and give one to a friend.

hanging up this poster in your neighborhood or school. With every torn tab,

www.kazoomagazine.com

you’ll know you’ve made someone else feel good

You’re just plain wonderful.

You matter.

I believe in you.

The way you think is beautiful.

The world is better, because you’re in it.

pretty good for you too.

Your heart makes my heart happy.

inside—and that’ll feel

T IC K LE EXPRESSIONS

, Let s Face It

HEARD A FUNNY JOKE

HEARD A NOT- FUNNY JOKE

WOKE UP TOO EARLY

GOT A COMPLIMENT

STUBBED HER TOE

SUCKED A LEMON

LAUNCHED A ROCKET

HIT THE BEACH

SPILLED HER MILK

GOT A HUG

GOOFED OFF

WON THE RACE

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I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY M A _ R I S H / I STO C K P H OTO.

Draw mouths on each of the faces below, based on how you think she might feel in the moment. Try to make sure no two look alike!

TICKL E IDIOMS

USE YOUR

Noodle I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY A N N RYA N .

Answers: 1. Walking on air 2. Over the moon 3. On cloud nine 4. A happy camper

Idioms are common phrases that have come to mean something entirely different from what the words suggest. (For example, if something is “a piece of cake” or “a walk in the park,” that just means it’s easy.) All the pictures below represent idioms that mean you’re happy. See if you can figure them out and then write your answers on the blanks.

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T IC K LE KAWAII

DRAW THESE CUTIES

These tiny creatures may be adorable, but they’re also surprisingly powerful. In fact, research shows that just looking at them can make you feel happier and more focused. Now, imagine what drawing them can do for you!

Kawaii means in Japanes “cute” refers to th e, and it style of drawis sweet ing with rounded edge and big feat s ures.

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I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY TAT YA N A D E N I Z / K AWA I I D R AW I N GS.C O M .

1 2 3 4

NOW, YOU TR Y !

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T IC K LE

EASY PEASY

LETTER DROP

Turn lemons into lemonade by carrying down (or up) the letters from one word to the next along the color-coded lines. Then use this puzzle as a reminder: You can almost always make a sour situation sweeter if you look for the good in it.

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O P P OS I T E PAG E : P H OTO BY N A RC I SA / I STO C K P H OTO.

TICKL E

CUDDLE UP, BUTTERCUP

WORD SEARCH

Find a cozy spot, wrap yourself in a big blanket, circle all the hidden words in this puzzle, and remember to look for the warm fuzzies in every day.

X S R E P P I L S B G S S E I K O O C C J P A H

HIDDEN WORDS :

C B L A N K I E S N D T

Hugs Tea Cuddles Cookies Slippers Pillows Books Fireplaces Blankies Stuffies Cocoa Baths Games Light Love Laughter

B K C M Z L I G H T E A R T C K Y S K O O B S B E S T U F F I E S M U O T N W H S E L D D U C L H S E C A L P E R I F K G S S S E M A G J W D L U Y G P I L L O W S G O A L U F E K X K D N E V L S H A O C O C A E T E

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GRAB THE BRASS RING Take a spin on this carousel and find the hidden objects as you go merrily around.

By Lindsay M. Ward

TICKL E SEARCH FILL AND TKTKFIND

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T IC K LE LAUGHTER YOGA

LOL Yoga Laughter yoga is so silly and yet also so good for you that people all around the world practice it. Try it yourself and see how it makes you feel.

LAUGHTER YOGA is part meditation, part breathing exercise, and all fun. It involves using your imagination and fake laughing on demand. It can feel a little awkward at first, but even fake laughter is so contagious that just hearing the sound of it brings out the real thing. And the more you giggle (or guffaw), the healthier and happier you become. That is no joke.

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JOIN A LAUGHTER CHORUS

GIVE A GIGGLE GIFT

Stand up and hold your hands, palms down, at your belly and say “Ho-ho-ho!” Then, raise your hands to chest height and say “Ha-haha!” Then, lift your arms straight up and say “Hee-hee-hee!” Repeat, faster and faster, until your laugh turns real.

Ask a friend to hand you an invisible present in a box. Carefully unwrap it, open the lid, and burst into laughter, as if you’ve been given it as a gift. Then, rewrap it and give it to your friend to open.

“When you talk, you might be thinking about what to say or how you sound. When you laugh, you’re not thinking at all. Instead, you’re hearing your own voice and feeling the power within it. There’s a total loss of control, and in that space, there is freedom, and in that freedom is where you find joy.”

Ha-Ha Hee-Hee Ho-Ho When recorded, human laughter sounds the same forward or backward. Try it!

—April Frazier, Brooklyn-based laughter yoga instructor and activist

H AV E A HULA HOOT

DIAL A LAUGH

BUILD AN LOL-L ADDER

Do the hula, slowly waving your hands side to side in front of your hips. Then, say the word “Aloha,” raising your arms overhead on the “lo.” When you can stretch no higher, say “Ha-ha-ha” as many times as you can while dropping your hands back down.

Pretend you’re calling a friend on the phone, but rather than using words to talk, you can use only laughs. Have a conversation.

Lie flat on your back. Then, ask a friend to lie on her back, resting her head on your belly. Add as many friends to the ladder as you’d like, each resting her head on the previous friend’s belly. Then start laughing.

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T IN K E R SWING THING

find your

Flow

This rubber bandâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;powered motion machine

TO SEE THIS IN ACTI

visit youtu ON, b kazooma e.com/ gazine

P H OTOS BY H O L L I S ROS E .

is fun to make and even more fun to watch. With every twirl, the bell gives the pencil a big wrap-around hug.

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Build a Swing Thing YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;LL NEED A SHOEBOX A PLASTIC CUP A RUBBER BAND 3 LARGE NUTS A JINGLE BELL A WASHER A PENCIL A WOODEN SKEWER STRING

1: Flip your shoebox 2: Poke another

upside down. Place a cup, upside down and centered, on top toward one end. Trace it and then poke a small hole in the center of the circle.

hole about an inch in from the opposite end of the box top. Stick a pencil, point down, in it. Then, slip on a bolt and glue, so it stands up straight.

3: Snip off the

point of a skewer, if it has one. Then cut the skewer about 2 inches from the end; save that short piece. Then, glue a bolt to one end of the long piece.

GLUE SCISSORS

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

Tie a jingle bell to one end of a string and then loosely tie the other end of the string to the empty end of the skewer.

Poke a hole in the cup; thread with a rubber band. On top: a nut, washer, and long skewer. On the bottom (under the box): a short skewer.

Adjust, so the bell hangs a half inch from the pencil and box. Wind the skewer until the rubber band is taut. Let it go!

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C R E AT E COLOR-BY-DOT

POP LIFE!

New Orleans artist Ashley Longshore loves to dance, laugh, wear crazy sunglasses, and most of all, paint. Her massive canvases add sparkle to the world and bring joy to everyone who sees them. Pick up her best tips on making art—and having fun— and then turn the page to color your own version of one of her pieces.

Q: Why do you

make art? When I was a kid, I had so much energy, but I was also scared to be me. I always felt different, and I kept trying to find something— theater, ballet, baton—that made me feel like myself. When I finally started painting, it brought me joy in a way I’d never felt before. Nothing else mattered.

Q: How does

painting make you happy? It’s calming. I get in my zone. If you really love something, you can find yourself in it. When I’m 22 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

painting, I’m in Ashley World. It’s all my own. There’s nothing for me to be afraid of there. It’s just me, and I’m surrounded by color, beauty, and humor.

Q: Is there a

wrong way to make art? There are no rules! There is only a moment of expression. If you don’t like it, start something new. It’s OK to make mistakes. Our imperfections are what bring us closer.

Q: What is

this particular painting about? This is a picture of a strong, beautiful, confident woman who is in a moment of peace. It’s about appreciating every moment— vacation, time with friends, everything you love!

Q: Why did

you put a big flower on her head? Whenever anyone asks me “Why?” my answer is always the same: “Why not?”

Cut out Ashley’s words to live by on the next page and hang her mantras around your room—or share them with friends.

WHEN THINGS D O N â&#x20AC;&#x2122; T A D D U P, SUBTRACT Y O U R S E L F.

L E T N O ON E

STOP YO U .

always BELIEVE TH AT SOMETHIN G wonderfu l IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN .

YO U A R E C A PA B L E O F MORE THAN YO U K N OW. @kazoomagazine

YO U ARE N OT

ALIVE TO P L EA SE

ANYONE ELS E.

“

Always trust your gut. If somebody is doing something you know is wrong, leave. Stay connected to that little voice inside of you. It’ll never steer you wrong.” —Ashley Longshore

—Ashley Longshore

“

When I was 11, my friend and I wanted to order a pizza, but her mom wouldn’t give us $9. I said, ‘OK, can we bake some cookies?’ She said yes. So, we baked cookies, put them in a wagon, and sold them in the neighborhood. When the pizza guy showed up, I paid him and said to my friend’s mom, ‘We’re entrepreneurs, all right?’ Never limit your own opportunities.”

“

I live my life with the belief that there are always chocolate chip cookies in the oven. That makes it easier to choke down any stinky sandwiches that come my way too. Positivity is important. You’ve always got to stay optimistic.” —Ashley Longshore

—Ashley Longshore

“

Your only responsibility is to make yourself happy. Make good decisions. Make mistakes. Forgive yourself and, above all, love yourself.” —Ashley Longshore

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“

Every single one of us has the chance to be exceptional and do unique and amazing things. Do what you want to do and do it fearlessly.” —Ashley Longshore

AS H L E Y LO N GS H O R E , AU D R EY W I T H P I N K C A M E L L I A H E A D D R E SS, 4 8 X 4 8 , C O U RT E SY O F T H E A RT I ST. O P P OS I T E PAG E : I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY B E R E Z K A _ K LO (G L I T T E R ) A N D AT Y P E E K ( H O U N DSTO OT H ) FO R I STO C K P H OTO. P R E V I O U S S P R E A D: I L L U S T R AT I O N S B Y LU DA 31 1 (G O L D G L I T T E R ) , Z I M I N D I M I T R Y ( BA L LO O N S ) , D I M I T R I S 66 (G L I T T E R SQ UA R E ) , A N D AT Y P E E K ( H O U N DSTO OT H ) FO R ISTOCKPHOTO.

“

People have told me that I was never going to make it. But I love me some me, so it never mattered. I believed in myself, and I worked hard every day, and I’ve shown them all. Now, I only spend my time with people who inspire me. I have no time for mean people.”

CREATE COLOR-BY-DOT

In real life, this painting is 4 feet tall! Color your own version of it using the key below.

NOW, DRAW YOUR OWN PORTRAIT!

Ashley paints this same woman—actress Audrey Hepburn—with all sorts of different things on her head: ice cream cones, fish bowls, bananas. Try it! Grab a fresh sheet of paper and draw yourself with something funny on your own head.

Color by Dot!

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SWEET DREAMS You may think that the day’s fun ends whenever bedtime arrives, but just the opposite is true. Your brain goes on the most incredible adventures while you’re snoozing. Take this dreamy quiz to check your nighty-night knowledge.

ALL LIVING CREATURES DREAM. False. Fish don’t dream. Neither do bugs. But scientists say most other animals, including all mammals, some birds, and some reptiles may dream. Their eyeballs flick back and forth under their closed lids, just like ours do, a sign that they’re entering the stage of sleep where dreams usually occur. Now, if only whales could talk, they’d probably wake up and say, “I haad the weeeeirdest dreeeeeam laast niiiiiiiight.”

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T/F:

False. During a dream, all of your muscles, except your eye muscles, become totally paralyzed. That may sound scary, but it’s actually good: When you’re dreaming, your brain sends the same signals to your body that it does when you’re awake. So, if you’re running in a dream, your brain is telling your leg muscles to go. Luckily, they can’t budge. The signal somehow switches off en route, keeping you safe and snug in your bed.

True. Your dreams, even the bad ones, are your brain’s way of making sense of the emotions you may be feeling during the day. So, if you feel anxious about something, you might have a dream where you feel worried or nervous about either that same thing or something completely different. It’s your brain’s way of practicing how to handle difficult situations, so when you wake up, the hard stuff will feel easier.

IF YOU’RE TOSSING AND TURNING, YOU’RE PROBABLY DREAMING.

NIGHTMARES ACTUALLY MAKE YOU MORE POWERFUL.

I L LU ST R AT I O N BY M A N AS T H E P/ I STO C K P H OTO.

T/F:

EXP TICKL LORE E FILL DREAMS TKTK

“LUCID DREAMING

T/F:

YOUR BRAIN SLEEPS WHEN YOU SLEEP.

—Sleep neuroscientist Rachel Mak-McCully, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

False. When you’re in a deep sleep—that drooly, floppy, nothing-canwake-you-up kind of sleep—your brain does its most powerful work, sending out electrical waves so large they make your waking thoughts look like ripples. These waves are from your brain converting your experiences into memories and figuring out what they mean and how they all fit together. In essence, what’s happening is that it’s making you smarter.

is when you realize you’re dreaming during your dream, and so you can control what happens. Very few people can do it, and I’ve only ever done it once. I used to have this recurring nightmare about a giant chasing me. Then one night when I was about 8 years old, as he was chasing me, I realized I was dreaming. So I turned to the giant and said, ‘You have to stop!’ And he did! I never had that nightmare again.”

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P H OTO BY D R. P H I L GAT E S, P H . D.

DUNE GRASS

year-round and got to watch the sunset every night, you too might feel like every cell in your body is smiling. These happy faces can be found inside of a tall, spiky, European beach grass called marram grass, which helps anchor the sand dunes and prevent erosion. This is a cross section of one of its leaves, curled up as if it’s giving itself a hug. (That’s what it does to preserve moisture during dry spells.) The “eyes” and “smiles,” dyed blue here, are its veins, which deliver nutrients and water throughout each leaf. Plants, of course, have no emotions, but if this one did, it looks like it would be the happiest one on earth.

IF YOU LIVED at the beach

MAGNIFIED HAPPY GRASS

G ROW

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TAKE IT OUTSIDE

A PILE OF BIRDSEED HERE

PUT A HOLE AND BURY THIS

DIG

A BERRY RIGHT HERE

SMOOSH

THIS IN A PUDDLE

FREEZE

THIS UNDER A ROCK

HIDE

Cut out the six circles above, take them outside, and follow the instructions on each. By the time you finish, you’ll feel healthier, happier, stronger, smarter, kinder, more generous, and more energized—all from just being outdoors. Nature is practically magic.

THIS ON A STICK

STICK

d HAPPY ELEPHANTS

“We took in a baby elephant last year, who’d lost her mom. She was completely heartbroken and alone, and she just wanted to give up. But every day, I’d go and talk to her. After five days, we were getting worried that she wouldn’t make it. So, we put a stack of rubber tires in her stable, and I climbed inside with a bottle. The tires were for my protection in case she charged me. Was I scared? No. She was already scared, and so for her to be brave, I knew I had to be brave too. I sat inside of those tires all day, and I never stopped talking. Eventually, she came over and rested her head on the tires. I put my hand on her and offered her the bottle. I was so relieved when she started to drink. Shaba will be ready to return to the wild in a few years, but for now, she’s become the mother to all of the baby elephants in our sanctuary. And when new babies come in, she nurtures them and brings them into the herd. It’s all about love. We are all connected, and we must all look after each other.”

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Katie Rowe says each of the 13 baby elephants currently at Reteti drink a 2-liter bottle of milk every three hours around the clock. That’s 16 liters a day!

P H OTOS BY (C LO C K W I S E F RO M TO P ) H E N K B E N T L AG E A N D L E I G H G R EG G FO R I STO C K P H OTO, J O H N M I C H A E L VOS LO O/S H U T T E RSTO C K , A N D M E D I A P RO D U CT I O N / I STO C K P H OTO.

Just as we feel deep emotions, so do these gentle giants. Katie Rowe, co-founder of Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Kenya, tells us how elephants express themselves.

GROW ELEPHANTS

They hug When an elephant feels scared, others will stroke her with their trunks. “They always care for each other,” says Katie.

They pout

”When they get frustrated, baby elephants throw temper tantrums,” she says. Just like human toddlers, they’ll sit or lie down on the ground to prove their point.

They get silly When elephants are feeling playful, they’ll waggle their heads, roll around together, and splash in mud puddles. “They can be so goofy,” says Katie.

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is for Happiness!

Your A-to-Z guide for having more fun, more giggles, and more deep-down joy in your life.

Your happiness does not depend on how big your house is or how many toys you own. It depends, instead, on your mindset. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Happiness just comes when you treat others with kindness, do the things you love, focus on what makes you strong, and work hard when things get tough,â&#x20AC;? says happiness researcher Keri Kirschman, Ph.D., an associate professor of psychology at the University of Dayton. If you can do more of those things, then every day will feel brighter, no matter what else is going on. See for yourself.

is for AWESOME THE WORLD IS SO

B IS FOR BREATHING Taking a few deep breaths can slow down your heartbeat, lengthen your brain waves, and help you feel calmer and more peaceful. Try it this way:

FIRST

THEN

AND THEN

Hold out your right hand and curl your pointer and middle fingers to your palm.

Press your thumb on your right nostril, take a deep breath in and out, and release.

Press your ring finger on your left nostril, take a deep breath in and out, and release.

P H OTO BY ST E FA N B A A R / I STO C K P H OTO. I L L U ST R AT I O N S BY K AT E F R A N C I S / B R OW N B I R D D E S I G N . O P P O S I T E PAG E : P H OTO S BY PA R A L A X I S ( C A N S ) A N D G O KC E M I M ( F LOW E R S ) F O R I STO C K P H OTO.

amazing, and allowing your mind to be blown by it can help you feel a part of something magnificent. So, tonight: Look up at the stars and think about how you’re made of the very same stuff. Then, think about how our sun is just one of at least a hundred billion stars in our galaxy, and our galaxy is just one of about a hundred billion other galaxies in our universe. Imagine how special it is that you are here—and you are you.

D is for DAYDREAMING

Turn off your screens, put away your homework, lie on your back, and watch the clouds float by. Letting your mind drift helps you think and solve problems more creatively, and that just feels good.

E is for EATING

What you eat can change how you feel, so put mostly good-for-you food in your mouth (fruits, veggies, protein, etc.), and your brain will work better and keep you feeling steady, energized, and ready to face the day.

is for CONNECTING CONNECTING WITH

friends and family can help you feel not only happier but also braver too. With a pal by your side, any steep hill ahead suddenly looks a little easier to conquer. So, build this working telephone and use it to chat with a friend. You’ll need: Two empty soup cans A hammer A nail A long piece of string

Tap With a hammer and nail (and a grown-up’s help, if you need it), poke a hole into the bottom of two clean, empty soup cans. 1

You’ll need: Tissue paper Pipe cleaners Scissors

Tie Cut off a long piece of string, thread each end through the bottom of each can, and tie it off in a knot inside the can. 2

Talk Hand one can to your friend, keep one for yourself, and stand far enough apart so the string pulls tight. Then, talk into your end, while she listens to hers and vice versa. Listen, talk, repeat. 3

Cut your tissue paper into 5-inch squares and make a stack of 10 pieces. 1

F IS FOR FLOWERS A paper bouquet can brighten any day.

Fold the bottom edge up by a half inch, flip the stack over, and fold up again. Repeat, until your paper is folded into an accordion. 2

Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center of the paper; twist to secure. 3

Cut both ends of your tissue paper; round the edges or make them pointy, fringy, or heart-shaped. There’s no wrong way! 4

Make your flower bloom by pulling up each sheet of tissue paper, one at a time. 5

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is for GOOD THINGS WHEN YOU PRACTICE

looking for the good, finding it becomes easier. So, write down or draw a picture of three wonderful things that happened to you today. Then, think about what you did to help bring about each.

H is for Hi Strike up a conversation with a kid you don’t already know. Research shows that making small talk with a stranger can brighten your day and hers. You might even make a new pal.

I is for IMAGINATION

Close your eyes and try to picture yourself grown-up and having achieved all your dreams. Where do you live? What’s your job? Who are your friends? Imagining your best possible life can help you feel more motivated to reach your goals—and more optimistic that you actually will.

J is for JOKING

Laugh with your pals until your belly hurts. Being silly together will not only help you forget about anything sad (even for just a little while), but it’ll also help your heart— and your friendship—grow stronger too. One idea: Sit across from each other and try to only fake laugh as loud as you can for 30 seconds. See what happens.

P H OTO BY B U R W E L L P H OTO G R A P H Y/ I STO C K P H OTO.

K IS FOR KINDNESS Doing five random acts of kindness a day gives you a cheerier outlook on life. Start with this checklist.

the door Hold open Compliment someone at a Smile stranger something Bake to share your Call grandparents

your Shovel neighbor’s snow

High-five your school’s crossing guard

a lonely kid Invite to play

Stick a kind note on a mirror Sprinkle some birdseed outside

L IS FOR LOSING YOURSELF Build a block tower. Play the ukulele. Make some art. Do something that’s so fun, interesting, and challenging to you that you completely lose all track of time. Scientists call that tuned-in state “flow,” and the more you can find it, the happier you’ll be. I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 37

Draw pictures of meaningful things, like your family, summer vacation, or bike and hang them up on your wall. Once you’ve got a few, look at them and think about what’s special about each. Seeing them together will help make you feel loved, inspired, and strong.

N is for NO If someone tells you to do something for them that you don’t want to do (and it serves no other higher purpose), then don’t do it. You are always allowed to say no. 38 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY A LU N A 1/ I STO C K P H OTO.

M is for MEANING

is for QUIET

O is for ORIGAMI Write a note to a friend; then fold it into an origami heart before handing it off.

BY QUIETING YOUR MIND, YOU

become more in tune with your body, making it easier to focus and make good decisions. Keri Kirschman, the happiness researcher, shows you how.

Count your breaths until you get to 10. (One inhale and exhale counts as one.)

Fold a square piece of paper in half diagonally. Open and repeat, folding the opposite corners together. Then open it again.

Keep your eyes open.

Sit up very straight.

Fold the top corner to the center line, and crease.

Cup your hands in your lap, palms facing up.

O R I GA M I I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY K AT E F R A N C I S/ B ROW N B I R D D E S I G N .

Fold the bottom corner up to the top edge.

Fold up the right side to meet the vertical center crease.

Sit crisscross in a quiet spot.

Fold up the left side to meet the crease. Then flip it over.

P Fold in the top and side points. Flip it back and give it away.

P is for PRETENDING

Smile as big as you can right now and hold it for 30 seconds. There. Even though your grin was fake, you just tricked your brain into thinking youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re happy, and sometimes that little nudge is all it takes to help make it so.

S is for SUPERPOWERS Think about a trait you have that makes you really powerful. Are you strong? Creative? Do you never give up? Write it below. Then, imagine exactly how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to use that superpower today. Focusing on your strengths reminds you how you can accomplish anything.

R IS FOR READING Get lost in a good book thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not too hard (or too easy) to read, but just right. Reading fiction calms down your mind and opens it too. By imagining yourself in the story, you learn how to understand other people better in real life, and that skill can help you make sense of the world and your place in it. Bookworms make great friends!

O P P OS I T E PAG E : I L LU ST R AT I O N BY H A KU L E / I STO C K P H OTO.

I am ...

T is for THANKS Think of someone who has helped you: a teacher, a coach, a friend. Then, write a letter telling her how grateful you are. It’ll make her feel appreciated and remind you how loved and supported you are too. We got you started here.

U V

U is for UNDERSTANDING

Try putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. When we understand each other, we’re all happier.

V is for VOICE

When you sing, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel happier. If you sing with friends, you’ll get closer too. In fact, singing the same notes together can even make your heartbeats sync up!

Dear

Thank you so much for

It meant so much to me, because Love,

Look. What do you see?

Sniff. What do you smell?

Listen. What can you hear?

W IS FOR WALKING

Stick out your tongue. What do you taste?

Take a stroll, bring this page and a pencil, and jot down your observations.

Touch. What can you feel?

I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 41

Y is for YES Say yes to things that you want to do even though they scare you a little. You do new things every day, so you’re already really good at this. Keep doing it. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep having new adventures all the time!

X X IS FOR XOXOXO Everything always feels better after a kiss on the forehead or a long, tight squeeze from someone you love. So, ask for hugs and kisses from them whenever you need them— and even when you don’t. 42 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

is for ZZZ Your brain recharges while you’re snoozing, and a good night’s sleep makes you smarter, more creative, more focused, and all around happier. Go to bed early tonight.

TICKL ROAME HAPPY FILL TKTK PLACE

T H E WO R L D’S

I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY SA R A H W E I S M A N A N D M K N OXG R AY/ I STO C K P H OTO ( E A RT H ) .

HAPPIEST COU NT RIE S What do Finland, Norway, and Denmark have in common, besides chilly winters? Their people are the happiest in the world, according to the United Nations. Find out what they do to feel so good and try it where you live too. What can you do to help make your country happier?

FINLAND

Because Finland is so close to (or in) the Arctic Circle, the sun never rises in winter. It stays mostly dark all day! Due to the harsh conditions, Finns turn to each other for support to get through it, and those connections help lift their spirits. Try it: String up some twinkle lights, invite a friend over, and play a board game in the dark.

NORWAY

Norwegians live by a philosophy called friluftsliv, which means “free-air life.” If they have the chance to be in nature, they take it. Not even piles of snow can keep them inside. As they say, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.” Try it: Put on some warm layers and go explore outside.

DENMARK

Nine in 10 Danes own a bike, and on average, they cycle a mile a day. Kids too! Rather than ride a bus to school, half of all Danish kids, ages 11 to 15, ride bikes instead. All this pedaling makes their bodies healthier and the air cleaner too. Try it: Take a spin on your bike. Riding fast and feeling the wind in your face will make you want to whoop with joy!

*Researchers have found that the happiest countries have other good things going too, including free college tuition and free (or almost free) health care, and a spirit of generosity toward their neighbors.

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T IC K LE

GUTTER CREDIT HERE

FILL TKTK

00 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

READ SHORT STORY

the

RAFFLE

I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY M A R Í A T U T Í .

BY BUNMI LADITAN

Donna’s eyes fluttered open. “Szzzzzzz ...” She heard the turkey bacon sizzling on the griddle, and its salty smell floated up from the kitchen downstairs. She breathed it in, smiled, and stretched her arms and legs, turning her body into a letter X, before sitting up in her bed. “Donna!” her mother’s voice called up. “Ten minutes!” Donna groaned a little before forcing her legs over the side of her bed and pushing herself to stand. It wasn’t until she saw the yellow circle scrawled over today’s date on her calendar that a white-hot burst of excitement zinged through her like lightning. It was finally February 12th!

She jumped up and down like a jackrabbit and her window rattled in its pane. It was Raffle Day, the day Donna had been waiting for since Ms. Gabriel, her thirdgrade teacher, announced it on the first day of school back in September. “All fall and winter long, every student at Westfall Elementary will have the opportunity to earn raffle tickets by doing good deeds,” she’d said. “One student will be chosen at random to win a trip for up to four family members to the Fun Park Village.” The entire classroom had broken into excited whispers. Fun Park Village had opened its doors just outside of town earlier that year after months of anticipation. It was

3 square miles of roller coasters, mazes, and waterslides that shot you like a cannon into clear blue water. Several of her classmates had already gone with their families and reported back to captivated audiences in the lunchroom about how amazing it was. “They have nachos the size of your head!” “Lollipop Square has a real chocolate fountain!” “I rode the Dragon Slayer ride six times. It has four loop-di-loops!” Donna begged her mom to take her, but the response was always the same: “It’s too expensive! Maybe next year.” Everyone knows “maybe next year” means never. Every night as Donna ate I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 51

her Pasta Os on the couch with her babysitter, Nina, embroidering by her side, she waited for the Fun Park Village commercial to come on. It was 30 seconds of pure joy— happy families drinking bright-red slushies, picking at clouds of cotton candy, and whooshing down towering waterslides, laughing the entire way. There was no hope. Until now. Until the raffle.

Donna had spent the previous five months wiping down the 52 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

whiteboard after math, re-shelving books in the library, stacking empty lunch trays in the cafeteria, picking up litter during recess, and helping the janitor replace empty toilet paper rolls, even in the second-floor girls bathroom that always smelled of old ham sandwiches. After each task, a dark-green paper ticket was placed into her waiting hand. And at the end of each day, she’d write her first and last name and grade in black pen, using her best handwriting, and drop it into the microwave-sized cardboard box, covered in

rainbow confetti wrapping paper with “Village Park Raffle” written in big black letters, on the school secretary’s desk. Eightyseven errands, chores, and helpful smiles (and 87 tickets) later, Donna knew she had this in the bag. And today was the day. Donna rushed to get dressed and brush her teeth. No T-shirts with sequins that changed color when you drew your finger down the front or silly sweatshirts with googly eyes today. The winner of the Fun Park Village vacation would be announced at the morning assembly and would walk

TICKL READE SHORT FILL TKTK STORY

on stage in front of the whole school to collect their prize. Donna bounded downstairs taking the steps two at a time, the tulle of her fancy blue dress Aunt Patricia had given her for her eighth birthday floating around her. Since it was also freezing outside, Donna paired it with a purple hoodie to stay warm. She sashayed elegantly into the kitchen where her mother sat at the small, round table, nibbling an edge of toast. “Very elegant, Donna!” she cooed, eyebrows raised. “What’s the occasion?” “Oh, nothing,” Donna said, sliding into her chair as gracefully as she could surrounded by so much tulle. It was pretty but so itchy. Donna picked up a crispy piece of bacon and crammed it into her mouth, determined to finish breakfast in record time. She needed to be early today to get a good seat in the auditorium—up front so it’d be easier to accept her award. Donna’s mom eyed her.

“Your dress doesn’t have anything to do with the Fun Park Village award ceremony, does it?” she asked, her forehead creasing the way it always did when she thought Donna was getting overexcited. She must have overheard her telling her dad about it on the phone last night before bed. Donna knew there was no such thing as “overexcited.” It’s called confidence, but worrywart mothers don’t know anything about that, she thought, gulping down her orange juice. “Maybe, maybe not,” Donna said, trying not to seem interested. “Donna.” Her mother said her name in a way that made Donna scrunch up her nose in annoyance. “You’ve done a great job being helpful this year, but remember, it’s a random drawing. You could win, but you might not.” Donna felt a wave of indignation wash over her. Why did her mom have to spoil everything? Of course she’d win. She had to.

“I know that,” Donna said, setting down her glass and giving her mom a grown-up-style peck on the cheek to prove her maturity before grabbing her backpack and dashing out the door to catch the school bus. “Have a nice day, honey!” She heard her mother call behind her, and while she smiled, she didn’t turn around. Not a nice day, it would be the BEST day.

Donna shivered with excitement, as the bus bumped down the road. “I’ll bet you five pieces of sour apple cherry gum that the whole thing’s rigged.” She heard fifthgrader Jason Manor’s sneering voice two seats behind her. “That’s totally illegal,” said Shelly Fum, a girl in her class. Donna turned around hard, a heavy feeling in her chest as if a sack of wet sand was just plunked inside of her. It wasn’t like her to get involved in I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 53

The shining silver rays of happiness that coursed through her body were gone now. All that was left was an empty feeling. school bus chatter, but she had a bad feeling. “What’s rigged?” she asked Jason, keeping her face as blank as possible. Jason smiled, smug, pleased that someone had taken him seriously. “The Fun Park Village Raffle. My father says it’s all publicity and they’ll just give the prize to a plant.” Donna scrunched her nose again. “A plant? That’s ridiculous. A human has to win,” she said, confused. Jason hooted with laughter. “Not a plant like ivy, Don-na. A plant, like a fake student. Someone who works for the company. Shame you did all that work for nothing. I could’ve told you.” Jason shook his head as if he were really sorry, but Donna knew he wasn’t. 54 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

“That’s utterly ridiculous,” she said, lifting her chin the way fancy Victorian women do on the shows Nina likes to watch. Jason laughed again and popped a pink-and-green piece of gum into his mouth. Donna turned around in a huff and slid angrily into her seat. Of course it was ridiculous, she thought to herself. Jason was always pretending to know more than anyone else. “My father says,” was how he started almost every sentence. Donna stared out the bus window. The trees were all bare, naked and thin with bony branches jutting every which way. The shining silver rays of happiness that coursed through her body were gone now. All that was left was an empty feeling. Even if Jason Manor wasn’t right, her mom did have a point. She could still lose. Everything she’d done could all be for nothing! The bus jerked to a stop and as students stood up, hurriedly pulling at jackets and backpacks, Donna blinked hard twice before standing herself, waiting for a space in line big enough

to squeeze into. I ought to give Jason Manor a lizard smoothie and say it’s sour apple cherry flavored, Donna thought, as she hopped down the last step off of the bus.

She was planning whether to use real or plastic lizards when she heard the music. Lifting her head, Donna’s eyes grew large. A long white banner with green, orange, and red letters hung over the front of the school’s double doors: “Fun Park Village Raffle Day.” At each corner, there was a bouquet of orange and green balloons bobbing in the cold breeze. A speaker by the steps played the Fun Park Village theme song. “You’ll never want to go hooome!” the children’s gleeful melodic voices rang out. Beside the door, a man and woman handed each child walking inside a rubber bracelet. The woman, maybe a college student, with thick, curly red hair pulled into a bun, handed a dazzled Donna

READ SHORT STORY

an orange bracelet. Donna looked down at it, her feet shuffling inside toward the auditorium that was already filling up. “Fun Park Village Welcomes You!” It said in black lettering. Donna grinned and felt giddiness bubbling inside her, overflowing like a pot of happy magic stew. She squealed softly as she strode into the auditorium. Half her class was already seated near the front right,

and she rushed, bobbing and weaving through students and teachers, to join them. She found a seat right next to where her teacher was sitting in a metal folding chair against the wall. Ms. Gabriel was wearing baby-blue ballet flats, the same color as a robin’s egg she’d seen in a picture book once. Donna sat crisscrossapplesauce with her hands in her lap. On the auditorium stage, there

was a bustle of activity as a woman in a gray business suit, like the ones her mom wore, tested the microphone. Donna could see she was wearing a Fun Park Village pin. Principal Marcus talked casually with the school secretary, Ms. Kimber, off to the side next to the thick, brown curtains that framed the stage. In the center of the stage, on a small table covered with a plush red velvet cloth was the cheerfully I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 55

decorated cardboard box. The raffle box packed with tickets. The one that decided her fate. It looked different today than it had on Ms. Kimber’s desk all year. Bigger. Shinier. Donna pushed her hands into her lap and her heart beat so fast she thought maybe it wasn’t a heart anymore. Maybe it was a baby hummingbird in her chest. She forced herself to breathe. Soon all of the students had settled down and the assembly started. “We want to welcome all of you to the Fun Park Village Raffle assembly, sponsored by Fun Park Village,” the college-age 56 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

girl from the front door said perkily into the mic. It did sound a bit like a commercial, Donna thought. Could Jason have been right? Would a plant win? Donna imagined a student she’d never seen before with a suspiciously fake smile, covered in head-to-toe ivy, walking up to the podium to claim his tickets. Her face burned. If that happened she would scream. She’d demand photo ID and prove that the whole thing was rigged. She’d run up to the stage and grab the tickets and run all the way home. No, she’d run to Fun Park Village and ride every ride

twice, eat 14 churros, six hot dogs, and bathe in the chocolate fountain before anyone found her! Donna was breathing so fast now she sounded like she’d run around the school eight times. Every muscle in her body was tense as the Fun Park Village representative reached into the cardboard box and stirred the contents with her hand before pulling out a single dark-green ticket. Donna held her breath and felt dizzy. Was the room spinning or was she spinning? This was all a mistake. Why did she think she could win, she thought.

READ SHORT STORY

Donna was breathing so fast now, she sounded like she’d run around the school eight times. Every muscle in her body was tense ... She never wins. She didn’t win the second grade talent show, she didn’t win her third grade cake walk, she never even got any of the good toys in the boxes of Honey Clumps cereal. Donna’s eyes stung with hot tears. I’m just not meant to win, she thought to herself and stared down into her hands as a large wet tear slid down her cheek. She fought the urge to cry, knowing Jason Manor would probably notice and tell the teacher. Then, Donna felt someone tap her shoulder. Oh no. The teacher had already noticed. She quickly wiped the tear off of her face with

the back of her hand. “Donna?” she heard her teacher say. “I’m OK. I’m fine,” she said, her voice wobbly as she sniffled. Donna looked up. Why was her teacher looking at her like that? What was with the big, goofy smile? Donna looked around and noticed that everyone was looking at her. Everyone in the whole auditorium. “What ...?” “Honey,” Ms. Gabriel whispered excitedly. “You won.” The words made sense, but Donna couldn’t process them. She turned her head toward the stage where the giddy Fun Park Village employee was holding a green ticket and grinning at her. “I won,” Donna repeated, trying on the sentence like a new winter coat. “I won?” she repeated, looking at Ms. Gabriel. Ms. Gabriel nodded and tilted her head toward the stage as if to say, “Go get your prize!” “I WOOOOOON!” Donna screamed standing up. She jumped up quickly and

began hopping around. “I WON!!!!” she hollered, her arms in the air as if she were crossing the finish line at a marathon. The whole auditorium broke into laughter and a few people clapped. Donna sprinted up to the stage where the representative was holding a large golden envelope. “Congratulations!” she said and Donna could barely contain the excitement that felt like fireworks going off inside of her. She grabbed the woman in an unexpected bear hug around her waist. “Thank you!” Donna held up the gift certificate over her head like a champion wrestling belt. The auditorium burst into surprised, delighted laughter and applause again. Normally Donna would have been embarrassed, but today she didn’t care. Today, nothing mattered. Today, she had won. About the author Bunmi Laditan is the author of Confessions of a Domestic Failure, The Honest Toddler, and The Big Bed. Her next book, Dear Mother, will be out in April 2019. I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 57

Top it off with syrup, jam, apples, or lemon and powdered sugar.

OH, BABY!

Any day that starts with a sweet, puffy pancake like this is a good day. 58 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

FEA ST DUTCH BABY

INGREDIENTS

EGGS 3 large ones, room temp.

Chef Libby Willis, co-owner of MeMe’s Diner, shares her recipe for a Dutch baby. It’s what she made for breakfast as a kid when her parents slept in—and now it’s the hottest item on the brunch menu of her Brooklyn restaurant.

P H OTOS BY A N T H I A C U M M I N G ( EG G ) , DAS H _ M E D ( M I L K ) , A N D A L AS DA I R JA M E S ( F LO U R ) FO R I STO C K P H OTO A N D H U RST P H OTO ( B U T T E R ) A N D C O P R I D ( SU GA R ) FO R S H U T T E RSTO C K . O P P OS I T E PAG E : P H OTO BY H O L L I S ROS E .

DUTCH BABY HOW-TO WHOLE MILK ¾ cup, room temp.

BUTTER, 3 tablespoons, unsalted and melted

FLOUR ½ cup

SUGAR 2 tablespoons CORNSTARCH 2 tablespoons SALT ½ teaspoon

STEP 1

STEP 2

STEP 3

Put a cast-iron (or ovenproof ) skillet in the center of your oven and, with a grown-up’s help, preheat it to 450°. Wait until it’s good and hot, about 15 minutes.

Combine all the dry ingredients (flour, cornstarch, sugar, and salt) in a small bowl.

Crack your eggs into a blender, and with a grownup’s help, blend at high speed for one minute.

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

With blender on low speed, gradually pour in milk and then 2 tablespoons of melted butter; blend another 30 seconds.

Add all the dry ingredients and blend again until the batter is smooth.

Ask a grown-up to remove the skillet from the oven, coat with the last tablespoon of butter, and pour in the batter. Bake until puffy and brown around the edges, about 15 to 20 minutes. I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 59

F E A ST DUTCH BABY

THE SECRET RECIPE FOR

HAPPINESS

Chef Libby Willis was raised in the restaurant that her grandmother owned and her parents ran. That’s where she learned to cook—and also where she learned how to be happy. Q. What was it like to grow up in a restaurant? “So exciting! Ours was called Just for the Fun of It, and I spent all of my time there. I’d ‘take orders’ by going to each table and drawing the food people wanted on my notepad. I’d help myself to ice cream. We also made potato chips, and I’d sit on the bottom of the rack, where they cooled, and reach up to grab them.”

Cooking is my creative outlet. I dream of how something might taste, and then I try to make it. Q. Why does cooking make you happy? “Cooking is my creative outlet. I dream of how something might taste, and then I try to make it. If it’s so delicious that the person I share it with can’t imagine how I made it, I feel proud, and that sense of accomplishment makes me feel happy.” 60 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

Q. Does cooking help when you feel sad too? “When you’re cooking, there’s a clear place to start and finish, and in between, you can focus on one goal: respecting the food. That’s how I center myself. Cooking has also been a way to connect with people around me. If I’m ever feeling sad or lonely, I’ll invite someone over for dinner.” Q. What’s your best happy-life advice? “Share yourself with people. Share your strengths—and your fears. If you don’t tell anyone how you feel, no one will be able to help you. It can feel scary, but that’s definitely what has brought me the most joy in my life.” Q. What do you love about Dutch babies? “They’re perfect for sharing! It feels like you’re eating dessert for breakfast. And they also inspire yummy sounds. That’s when everyone gets quiet and can only say ‘mmmm.’”

SH ARE READER MAIL

HAPPINESS IS … … getting mail from Noisemakers, like you! Check out some of the things that make you happy too! "Me with my nose in Kazoo" —Lily, 10, Richmond, VA

Rainbow kazoos! —Abby, Lake Forest Park, WA

TELLING JOKES

“Is the sun heavy?” “I thought it was light!” —Maddie, 9, West Linn, OR

THIS TONGUE TWISTER

Pad kid poured curd pulled cod. “It’s the hardest one I know, and it’s really fun to say.” —Anna, 11, Cleveland, OH

Drawing big bubble letters —Lily, 9, Boulder Creek, CA

Horses! I L LU ST R AT I O N S C O U RT E SY O F O U R N O I S E M A K E RS.

—Emma, 8, Danvers, MA

THESE FLOWERS

“We are all very happy for Kazoo!” —Class 4-303 at P.S. 321 in Brooklyn

BE IN KAZOO! Send us a picture, a story, a joke, anything, along with your name, age, and address, and we may feature it in a future issue or on our social media. We’ll also send you a sticker in return! Our address: Kazoo magazine, PO Box 150274, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 61

P L AY DANCE

SOMETIMES THE JOY YOU FEEL INSIDE YOUR BODY JUST CAN’T BE CONTAINED, AND WHENEVER THAT HAPPENS, THERE’S ONLY ONE THING TO DO: GET UP AND DANCE! IF YOU’RE NOT SURE HOW TO DO IT, GET SOME INSPIRATION (AND GIGGLES) BY PLAYING KAZOO ’S HAPPY DANCE CODING GAME ON THE NEXT PAGE.

62 kazoo magazine I S S U E 1 1

HOW TO PLAY Each number on the die represents a dance move in the key below. Every player should write her name on the line. When it’s your turn, roll the die five times in a row and write down the corresponding dance moves in the space provided. Then put on some music—or have your friends give you a beat— and do all five moves in a row. Do them slow at first and get faster with each repetition, until you either can dance no harder or fall on the floor laughing. Then pass the die to the next person for her turn. After everyone has their own moves down, teach them to each other. It’s a happy dance party!

1: Spin

YOU’LL NEED One die and a pen or pencil

NAME

I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY N O N - E XC LU S I V E ( D I SC O BA L L ) A N D Y U R I Y A LT U K H OV ( D I C E ) FO R I STO C K P H OTO.

2: Clap

3: Jump

4: Shimmy

5: Kick

6: Jazz Hands

“I’m always breaking into a happy dance, but I especially love doing it when a friend gets good news. Saying congrats doesn’t cut it for me. Instead, I’ll start dancing all crazy. I’m never worried about what I look like. I’m just happy to be moving. Dance is the purest expression of joy. That’s what’s so beautiful about it. It’s not about how many pirouettes you can do. It’s about how big your heart is.” —Dancer Courtney Celeste Spears, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater I S S U E 1 1 kazoo magazine 63

I L LU ST R AT I O N S BY STO L E N P E N C I L ( D O N U T ) , L I L A- LOV E ( S P R I N K L E S ) , A N D V E N I T H E P O O H ( I C I N G ) FO R I STO C K P H OTO.

B E LIE VE POSTER

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SUBSCRIBE NOW AT KAZOOMAGAZINE.COM NEW LOWER PRICE!

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“Finally, a feminist magazine for girls who love science and climbing trees.” —Mic

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“REQUIRED READING FOR ALL SMART GIRLS”

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—Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls OUR TEAM Editor-in-Chief: Erin Bried Designers: Kristie Bailey, Liz Chan, Sarah Weisman Photo Editor: Andie Diemer Production Director: Julian Pozzi Copy Editor: Joyce Kehl

“THE MAGAZINE EVERY BRILLIANT, FIERCE, YOUNG GIRL DESERVES.” —Medium

Kazoo magazine is published quarterly by Kazoo Media LLC, PO Box 150274, Brooklyn, NY 11215 and printed in Burlington, VT. Reproduction of material is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from the publisher.

Kazoo magazine 11: The Happy Issue

Articles inside

Happy Elephants