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MAY 2010
Dear Kids, May is “Get Caught Reading Month” and I’m glad you are going to get caught reading Kidsville News! As you can probably tell from the picture on the cover, May is a great time to be outside with your family and friends. See if you can find things on the cover that go with a few of these May celebrations: National Barbecue Month, National Bike Month, National Hamburger Month, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, Flower Month, Mother’s Day, National Family Week, National Photography Month — whew! May is a busy month! In this issue, you’ll also read about a very imaginative guy who has created his own virtual world, Tootsville. Now, take your copy of Kidsville News! outside in the fresh air and read more! Remember, for fun and games all month, visit the new and improved Kidsville News! Web site at www.KidsvilleNews.com. I hope you like it! Have a magnificent May! Your friend,
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Kidsville News!
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Happy Mother’s Day! The first Mother’s Day was celebrated in the United States on May 10, 1908, all thanks to a woman named Anna Jarvis. But did you know that Mother’s Day is celebrated in several other countries throughout the world? AUSTRALIA. Australians celebrate Mother’s Day in a fashion similar to Americans, including wearing carnations. In Australia, a colored carnation worn on Mother’s Day signifies that a mother is living while a white carnation is worn to honor a deceased mother. And just like Americans, Australians celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. CANADA. America’s neighbors to the north also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Canadians also usually show Mom their gratitude with flowers and cards. INDIA. Mother’s Day is in its infant stages in India but has grown in popularity each year since its inception. MEXICO. Unlike the countries mentioned above, Mexico celebrates Mother’s Day on May 10 every year, regardless of what day that happens to fall on the calendar. Sons and daughters often arrive at their mother’s home the night before Mother’s Day, and churches across the country organize special masses in honor of the country’s mothers. IRELAND. Mother’s Day in Ireland is tied to the Christian fasting month of Lent, celebrated on the fourth Sunday of each Lent. The tradition in Ireland dates back to medieval times, when poor children in Ireland were sent to work as apprentices and domestic servants for wealthy families. Once a year, during the middle of the Lenten season, these children were allowed to visit their mothers and presented them flowers they picked up along the way. SOUTH AFRICA. South Africans celebrate Mother’s Day on the first Sunday in May. In addition to their own mothers, South Africans also emphasize the importance of thanking their grandmothers and women who are like mothers on Mother’s Day. Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com If you think that Memorial Day is just the day when public pools open and families gather for picnics and stores have giant sales, you need to think again. Memorial Day is actually a solemn holiday that started shortly after the Civil War in the United States. It was
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Mother’s Day By the Numbers! Estimated U.S. mothers, in millions, as of 2004 Percentage of women age 40 to 44 who were mothers in 2006 Average age of women giving birth for the first time The number of the most common day of the week (Wednesday) for births to take place The number of the most common month of the year (August) for births to take place Number of stay-at-home moms, in millions, in the United States Number of moms, in millions, who give birth each year in 32: Chance of a mother giving birth to twins
82.8 80 25 4 8 5.3 4.0 1
declared a Federal Holiday in 1971 by President Richard Nixon. The traditional Memorial Day holiday is May 30; however, it is observed on the last Monday of May. Back in the 1800s, people wanted to find a way to honor those who had given their lives in battle, so they decorated the graves of those lost in the Civil War. Although it’s a solemn holiday for some, Memorial Day isn’t supposed to be sad all the time, and it’s okay to enjoy a family get-together. But if your family prays before digging into the potato salad, remember those who gave their lives so you could be free. Because, that’s what Memorial Day is all about.
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MAY 2010
AR
Mexico
UND THE W
Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo (which means fifth of May) is not Mexico’s Independence Day. Cinco de Mayo is actually a regional holiday in Mexico, mostly limited to the state of Puebla. The connection to Puebla involves the true meaning of the holiday. It commemorates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces on May 5, 1862. In the United States, Americans of Mexican ancestry observe the day as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.
Canada
This is a Canadian holiday that celebrates the birthday of England’s Queen Victoria and also commemorates the current Canadian sovereign’s official birthday. Victoria Day is celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24. It is sometimes known as May two-four, or in French, Fete de la reine. Through the years, Victoria Day was also known as Empire Day, Commonwealth Day and then later again, Victoria Day and kept at or around May 24. To celebrate, they have parades and fireworks displays.
RLD
America
Loyalty Day is observed in the United States on May 1. It is a day set aside for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and to remember the heritage of American freedom. Loyalty Day was made an official holiday by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on May 1, 1958. The holiday was first celebrated in the 1930s as Americanization Day. The day is celebrated with parades and ceremonies in communities across the United States, although many people in the United States remain unaware of it. The flag of the United States is displayed on all government buildings on Loyalty Day.
Iberian Lynx
The Iberian Lynx may soon be the first cat species to become extinct in 2,000 years. There are only around 110 of this great cat left. It is classified as the world’s most endangered feline species. The only surviving animals live in southern Spain. Kingdom: Animalia The Iberian lynx is a relative of the Eurasian lynx, Phylum: Chordata the Canada lynx and the North American bobcat. It weighs about half as much as the Eurasian lynx Class: Mammalia and has a coat of grey or yellowish-brown with lots Order: Carnivora of spots. It has very long legs and a short tail. The Family: Felidae Iberian lynx has a very distinctive face, with a beard and pointy ears with tufts at the end. The tufts of Genus: Lynx hair help it to detect sources of sound. The edges of its Species: L. pardinus feet are also covered in thick hair, which helps it move silently through snow. The Iberian lynx hunts mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The rabbit is its main prey. The population of rabbits is declining due to disease, so the lynx sometimes hunts young deer and ducks. It hunts alone and will stalk its prey, hiding for hours until the prey is within pouncing distance. The maximum age in the wild is about 13 years old. Litters are small, with only two or three cubs. They will sometimes stay with their mother for up to 20 months. A mother may carry its cubs between up to 12 homes to avoid predators and keep them safe. Sources: Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org; World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org. Image: www.lynxexsitu.es.
MAY 2010
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WHERE IN THE WORLD IS... MALAYSIA?
It’s time to get out your globe! You need to know about the imaginary lines on globes and maps. These lines are called lines of latitude and longitude, and they tell a pilot or ship’s captain exactly where in the world a certain place is located. Basically, latitude lines (also called parallels) are the horizontal lines on your map. Lines of longitude (also called meridians) are the vertical lines that run from the North Pole to the South Pole. This mapping system is written in degrees and uses the symbol °. Get ready to travel the world! Get out your globe, find longitude 112° 30’ E, latitude 2° 30' N, and you will locate the country of Malaysia in Southeastern Asia. Malaysia is situated south of Vietnam in the South China Sea on a peninsula bordering Thailand, and it also occupies the northern one-third of the island of Borneo. Its neighbors are Indonesia and Brunei. During the late 1700s and 1800s, Great Britain established colonies and protectorates in the area, which were occupied by the Japanese during World War II from 1942-45. The British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula formed the Federation of Malaya in 1948, which gained its independence in 1957 and became Malaysia in 1963 when Singapore and the East Malaysian states Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo joined the Federation. The government of Malaysia today is a constitutional monarchy, and the people speak many languages, such as the official language of Bahasa Malaysia, English, Chinese (Cantonese, Foochow, Hainan, Hakka, Hokkien and Mandarin dialects), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi and Thai! Malaysia is a little larger than our state of New Mexico, and the country’s terrain ranges from coastal plains to hills and mountains. The climate is tropical, with annual southwest monsoons from April to October and northeast monsoons from October to February. Malaysia is rich in natural resources, including tin, copper, iron ore, bauxite (aluminum ore), oil, natural gas and timber. In the past two decades, Malaysia has diversified its economy from depending on exporting raw materials to manufacturing, services and tourism. Malaysia is full of fascinating architecture that blends the modern with the country’s rich cultural and natural environments. In fact, you have probably seen pictures of what used to be the world’s tallest twin towers, the Petronas Towers in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur. For 25 years, the tallest building in the world was the Sears Tower at 1450 feet in Chicago, Illinois. In 1998, the Petronas Towers, 1483 feet high, became the tallest buildings. But in 2004, Taipei 101 in Taiwan soared past Malaysia’s beautiful towers at 1729 feet. As of 2009, the Petronas Towers are now the third-tallest buildings in the world behind Taipei 101 and the tallest since 2007, Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 2650 feet. Sources: “Malaysia,” The CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/my.html; Skyscraper Architecture: Tallest Buildings in the World, www.e-architect.co.uk/skyscraper_images.htm.
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MAY 2010
A CREATIVE DIRECTOR? Sometimes I like to lie in the grass and look up at the sky, watching the clouds. I imagine that I see things like rabbits, airplanes and dragons! Your imagination is a great gift! This month I met a person who gets to use his imagination every day. And, he’s a grown up! Louis Pecci is the president of RES, a design agency, and the creator of Toots and Tootsville.com. Keep reading to learn more about his creative career! TRUMAN: What does it take to become a creative director? LOUIS: The easy answer is a lot of hard work. I have been in the design industry for a long time, 25 years to be exact. For 23 of those years, I have run my own company, Design Factory, which is my design firm. DF handles everything from advertising and design to Theme Park Development and Entertainment. Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to work with some of the most incredible people and companies around the world, including Disney, Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, Universal Studios and a host of international accounts. Each assignment brought on new challenges and allowed me to develop my skills. TRUMAN: When and why did you first become interested in this profession? LOUIS: The truth is my parents were very instrumental in my career path. As a child, I was constantly drawing. Creating magical characters and imaginary worlds was a way for me to keep my overactive imagination busy. My parents always supported me, buying me drawing tablets, markers, paint sets and even books (Thank You, John Nagy, my first art book).
don’t like to fly, so I keep myself busy drawing. I sketched out the very first Toot, and as soon as I saw it, I knew there was something special about it. From there, it just grew and grew, and that first Toot lead to 150 Toot characters and an entire virtual world called Tootsville. TRUMAN: And, you are a theme park designer, too? What parks have you designed? LOUIS: Yes, I am. As I mentioned earlier, I have been fortunate enough to work with many of the world’s biggest and brightest. The last park I developed was in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, called AlShallal, which means “waterfall.” It is a beautiful place overlooking the Red Sea. The people of Saudi Arabia are great to work with, and it was very rewarding to bring some good ole American creativity to the that corner of the world. TRUMAN: What is that process like?
LOUIS: It takes time. Designing a park isn’t like designing a character or a logo. There is a I knew, from a very early age, that I wanted a lot of planning that goes into the development career where I could utilize my creative talents. before my pencil ever hits the drawing pad. All through high school, I took as many art Typically, a feasibility study is done first to see classes as I could. Upon graduation, I went to if it is a good idea to put a park in the the University of Buffalo where I was accepted particular area. Second, we develop a coninto a special program for design studies and cept for the park. I call it my GOC or Grand graduated from the School of Architecture. I Organizing Concept. This is used as our guide thought that with my art and creative Louis Pecci loves to use his imagination on his latest project, through every phase of development. After abilities, coupled with architecture, I would the Toots of Tootsville! that, the work begins. Teams are hired to have a better chance of attaining my lifelong perform specific tasks, meetings are organized goal of becoming an Imagineer at Walt Disney World. The summer after I and plans are put into motion. To give you an example, AlShallal, which is about graduated from college, I went from the cold of Buffalo to the warmth of the size of a Six Flags, took us five years to build. Florida on vacation. While I was there, I visited an ad agency where my uncle was the creative director. They were in need of a “wrist,” that is, someone that TRUMAN: What is the hardest part of your job? could draw up the ideas of the art directors. My uncle offered me the job, and I LOUIS: Prioritizing! I am one of those people that wants it all — now. I have said, “So you are going to pay me to draw all day?” He said yes, and so did I. It all these ideas that I want to put out, but it is just impossible to do them all at was a pretty quick rise in the profession from there — starting my own agency, the same time. So with the help of my team, we schedule the ideas out and get after just one year in the industry. Over the years, my team and I have traveled them into development. Patience was never one of my strong suits. the world creating groundbreaking work along the way. TRUMAN: What is the best part of your job? TRUMAN: What do you do each day? What’s a typical day like? LOUIS: MY JOB! It really is awesome to wake up every day and know that it LOUIS: I actually have double duties with RES. As President of the company, I will not be the same as yesterday. Each day brings exciting challenges and am responsible for every aspect of the overall operation, including the opportunities that motivate and excite me. Of course, the time spent at my desk business side and the creative side. Each has its challenges, but I really do enjoy drawing and creating is what I love the best. wearing both hats. A typical day consists of morning meetings with the division TRUMAN: What advice would you give to kids who are interested in heads. I am very fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most this profession? talented people in the world. When the meetings are finished the work begins, if you can call it that. I get to do what I love — CREATE! RES’s latest project LOUIS: Study. Study. Study. Ok, that may sound boring, but I don’t mean just is the design and development of an amazing new brand called Toots. Toots are books (although books are good, too). What I mean is study the world around a herd of elephants that were magically transformed when they discovered the you. My wife always jokes that I have a head full of worthless knowledge, but very first wishing well. After literally creating thousands of characters for other I will tell you, no knowledge is worthless. Every time I read a magazine ad or people, this was the one property that I knew I could never give away. Each day, pass a sign or see a bird flying, I wonder, HOW WOULD I DO THAT? I am I get to create new characters, adventures and even merchandise. Toots live in constantly studying everything around me, and I use that in my work every day. Tootsville.com a Tootastic place where kids from around the world come to There is an old saying in design, “Think outside the box,” which means let your explore, make friends and even learn. My day never really ends. It’s kind of hard imagination explore all possibilities. To be a designer, you have to be able to look to turn your brain off when you are so excited about what you are doing. at things from different perspectives. TRUMAN: How did you get the initial idea for your Web site, Tootsville.com? TRUMAN: It sounds as though you have an amazing job that you really love. Thanks for sharing with Kidsville News! LOUIS: I actually came up with the idea while I was on an airplane. I really
MAY 2010
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Mad May Math
Fill in the missing numbers in this math square. Use the numbers 1 through 9. Each number is only used once. Each row and each column is a math equation. Remember: Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.
May Mystery Crossword Can you figure out the words that fit in this puzzle? Use the clues and your mighty brain to figure it out!
Across 2. May is National Physical ___ and Sports Month. 5. The first day of May is... 6. The special woman who takes care of you 7. Grown in the yard; given to mom on her special day 8. It has two wheels and pedals.
Truman Teasers
t does What insec ool? well in sch g bee. The spellin
What d o you c all a countr y guy w ith a mound o stomac f sand on his h A hill b ? elly!
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What do you call a person who cooks, cleans, does laundry and windows, but isn’t a maid? Mom.
Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com
Answers: 1. food 2. sprinkler 3. roots 4. insects
ok ath bo m e n o id er? What d the oth ems. o t y sa f probl o t o l a I have
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Down 1. The day that we remember soldiers that died for our country 3. You use this to take pictures. 4. It is cooked on the grill and is very tasty.
MAY 2010
Story Time with Truman Petey’s Secret Power Chapter Eight — A Real Winner
A Quality Serials Story By Mary Maden Illustrated by Tana Brinnand Last Time: Petey’s cousin, Santos, eats the special acorn that Wise Owl gave Petey. Santos substitutes another acorn for the special acorn, hoping that Petey won’t know. Santos feels bad about deceiving Petey and confesses. What will Petey do without his secret power? Petey didn’t know what to do. How could he come up with a creative entry for the contest without his secret power? Petey stared blankly at Santos. “Please, don’t be mad at me,” Santos begged. “I’m really, really sorry!” “You don’t understand,” Petey said. “That acorn was special.” “I’ll make it up to you,” Santos vowed. “I’ll get you a hundred acorns!” When Petey saw how sorry and upset his little cousin was, he couldn’t be angry. “I’m not mad,” Petey assured Santos. “And I don’t want any more acorns.” Santos’s face lit up with a big smile of relief. “Thanks! Hey, why don’t I keep you company while you wait in line?” “Uh,” Petey mumbled, not sure if he would enter the contest at all! Santos and Petey stood in line with the others. The long line didn’t seem to be moving at all. The animals were restless. “Caw! What’s taking so long?” the big black crow in front of them complained. “Has anyone seen a magic hat and a rabbit!” a fat caterpillar dressed in a magician’s cape yelled out. “They’ve disappeared!” “We don’t know where to go!” chimed in the Treetop Trio. “Me, neither!” roared Bubba Bear. “My, things are disorganized!” a pretty ladybug commented. “Who’s in charge here?” a large, angry bullfrog bellowed out. A very flustered deer was trying to keep order, but it wasn’t working. “Please, please!” Debra Deer shouted to be heard. “Be patient!” “Are you in charge?” the bullfrog asked. “No,” Debra Deer responded. “I’m just a volunteer.” “I want to speak to whoever is in charge!” the bullfrog demanded. “Yeah! We want to speak to the animal in charge!” the crowd of animals chimed in. “But, you can’t,” answered Debra Deer. “No one is in charge.” “What!” the bullfrog yelled in disbelief. “Why don’t you be in charge, dear?” the ladybug suggested. “I can’t,” Debra Deer explained. “I’m in the contest. The rules say that you can’t be in charge and be in the contest, too.” “Someone has to be in charge!” the bullfrog insisted. “Let’s see how many animals are in the contest,” Debra Deer said. “Raise your hand if you going to be in the contest.” Every single animal raised his or her hand (or the equivalent thereof). “Oh, my!” Debra Deer said. “Everyone is in the contest! What are we to do?” Petey looked around. He knew that the festival wouldn’t be a success without someone to organize it. Suddenly, Petey had an idea. If he couldn’t
MAY 2010
find his creativity and win the contest, at least he could help out. Disappointed but determined to help, Petey spoke up, “I’ll be in charge!” “Hurray!” all the animals cheered. “New entries, make two lines at this table,” Petey said, taking charge. “Where’s Frannie Fox?” “Right here,” Frannie answered. “Frannie, please help Debra at the sign-up table,” Petey asked. “Where’s Bubba Bear?” “Right here,” Bubba answered. “You and all the other bands go under the big oak tree,” Petey directed. “All singing acts go next to the bands.” Bubba Bear led the way as all the bands and singers moved under the tree. “Where’s Honey?” Petey asked. “Here!” Honey Bee called out. “Everyone playing an instrument follow Honey Bee to the flat rock beside the oak tree. Everyone else follow me.” Before long, everyone was signed up and in the correct place. Petey even found the caterpillar’s missing magician’s hat and rabbit! Keeping things running smoothly was a real challenge, but Petey discovered that he was good at it. Petey was checking the last detail off his clipboard when he heard a familiar voice. “It was nice of you to help,” Wise Owl said. “No big deal,” Petey said. “I lost my secret power, so I didn’t have a chance of winning anyway.” “About that…” Wise Owl said. “You didn’t lose your secret power. You never had it.” “What!” Petey cried. “The acorn was an ordinary acorn,” Wise Owl explained. “I let you believe it had a secret power to give you the confidence to find your creativity.” “But, I didn’t find it!” Petey cried. “Yes, you did,” Wise Owl replied. “Organizing the contest took creativity. Creativity can be used in many different ways.” “Petey!” Santos interrupted. “Look!” Petey couldn’t believe his eyes. Led by a smiling Bubba Bear, all the animals were heading toward him. “Petey, without you, our festival wouldn’t have been a success,” Bubba Bear announced. “So, we want you to have this!” All the animals cheered as Bubba Bear put the blue ribbon around Petey’s neck. “I don’t know what to say!” Petey cried. “Just say you’ll be in charge next year!” Bubba Bear suggested. “Actually,” Petey admitted, “I have some great ideas for next year.” Wise Owl smiled. Petey had found his secret power after all! The End A Teacher’s Guide to accompany this eight-chapter story is available on the Kidsville News! Web site at www.KidsvilleNews.com. Copyright 2009 by Mary Maden. All rights reserved. Mary Maden is an award-winning author. Visit her on the Web at www.marymaden.com.
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May Mystery Crossword Can you figure out the words that fit in this puzzle? Use the clues and your mighty brain to figure it out! F
I
M T N E S S M O R I A F L O W E B
I
C M A Y D A H M A M OT H E R R B U A R S G K E R
Across 2. May is National Physical ___ and Sports Month. 5. The first day of May is... 6. The special woman who takes care of you 7. Grown in the yard; given to mom on her special day 8. It has two wheels and pedals.
Y
Down 1. The day that we remember soldiers that died for our country 3. You use this to take pictures. 4. It is cooked on the grill and is very tasty.
Mad May Math
MAY 2010
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Art Gallery Dorothea Lange: A Photography Pioneer Dorothea Lange was a pioneer in documentary Federal Resettlement Administration (later called the Farm Security Administration). photography. She is best known for the candid photographs The work took her across the country, capturing images of displaced farm families, she took during the Great Depression and of her images migrant workers and the others affected by the Great Depression. Her photograph, from Japanese Americans in internment camps during “Migrant Mother,” became a famous symbol of the Great Depression. World War II. In 1940, Dorothea became the first woman awarded a Guggenheim fellowship Dorothea Nutzhorn was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, for photography. As World War II got underway, she photographed women and on May 26, 1885. Struck by polio at the age of 7, Dorothea minority wartime factory workers. Through her camera lens, she also documented emerged from her illness with a badly the forced evacuation of Japanese Americans to internment damaged right leg and foot and a camps. Her images of this relocation were so honest that permanent limp. A few years later, her the U.S. Army temporarily confiscated them out of fear that father left the family (and Dorothea they would damage the government’s reputation. After the took her mother’s last name). Both war, Dorothea accepted a teaching position at the California events made Dorothea very insecure School of Fine Arts and cofounded a photography magazine, as a child. However, she later said they Aperture. She continued taking photographs almost until her kept her humble and helped shape her death in 1965, taking pictures for such publications as Life life and career. magazine and others. Attending high school in New York Dorothea died on October 11, 1965, at the age of 70. City, Dorothea decided she wanted to Over 25,000 of her photographic negatives now belong to be a photographer when she was still a the Oakland Museum of California, and her photos have teenager. Although she had never used been shown in numerous exhibits. In 2008, she was a camera, she felt as though she knew inducted into the California Hall of Fame. what it was like to be an outsider and Written by Tamar Burris, a former elementary school Dorothea Lange, Resettlement Administrateacher who now works as a freelance writer and to see the world with a photographer’s eye. Her mother, howtion photographer, in 1936 in California. ever, wanted Dorothea to be a teacher. So, Dorothea enrolled The camera (the large thing she is holding!) curriculum developer for PBS, the Discovery Channel and other education-related companies. Sources: Dorothea in a teacher’s college and took photography lessons during her is a Graflex 4x5 Series D. The car is a 1933 Lange on Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ free time. In 1918, Dorothea moved to San Francisco, where Ford Model C. Dorothea_Lange; National Women’s Hall of Fame, she opened her own studio and worked as a portrait photograDorothea Lange, http://www.greatwomen.org/women. pher, taking pictures mostly of wealthy families. When the Great php?action=viewone&id=202; “Picturing the Century”: Portfolios, Dorothea Lange, Depression hit around 1929, many people lost their jobs and livelihoods. Dorothea http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/picturing_the_century/portfolios/port_lange.html#. turned her camera from the studio to the streets, capturing images of unemployed and homeless people in her city. This led her to take a job as a staff photographer with the
COME OUT AND PLAY!
May Is National Bicycling Month! What continues to be one of the greenest modes of transport besides walking? Riding a bicycle. Traditional bicycles remain the greenest solution for personal mobility. Bicycles burn no fossil fuels and are easy for most anyone to operate. If they are constructed well, they will last for years and require little maintenance. Bicycles are also a healthy method of transportation! In Europe, some cities have embraced bicycle transportation and encourage the public to hop on this two-wheeled way of getting around. Holland has a “pedal-and-park” bike-sharing system for commuters. You just hop on a bike, ride it to your next location, and leave it for someone else to use! The Paris, France, government has purchased a thousand bicycles for free urban commuting. Bikes are parked in popular spots city-wide so the public can easily share the vehicles. In many cities and towns in the United States, you can find clearer and safer bicycle paths. And in many urban areas, there are also designated racks to park bikes when not in use. Bicycles aren’t only good for the environment; they are good for the bike riders. It is estimated that the average 150-pound person burns 410 calories while pedaling 12 miles in an hour. Bicycles can be a very good, healthy way of getting around but
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only if safety measures are taken. Riders should always ride with the flow of traffic, wearing helmets and using lights and reflectors at night. Many bicycle riders are not entirely familiar with the laws of bike riding, which could put them in danger. It pays to visit your department of motor vehicles or transportation department to get a copy of the laws governing bicycles. A local police department may be able to help you out with information as well. Although laws vary from place to place, here are some general rules that can keep you safe. * Always ride wearing a helmet. * A headlight is encouraged to make you more visible in dim light. * Do not “ride” another person on your bicycle if it is a single-rider bike. Never ride anyone on the handlebars! * Ride only in the street, not on the sidewalk. * Follow the same rules of the road that cars would obey, including signaling and stopping at traffic signals. Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com.
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MAY 2010
Red, White & True Mysteries Helen Keller’s Life Changed Forever When She Met This Inventor During my college years, I worked in sales for The Southwestern Company of Nashville, Tennessee. The company would assign us to work in a different part of the country each summer, calling on families in their homes. During the summer of 1987, I was calling on families in the northern Alabama town of Tuscumbia when I came upon a very old house. As I approached the house from the side, it was obvious that it must have been at least 100 years old; in fact, it looked so out of place that I asked one of the neighbors if anyone still lived in “that old house.” Many of the old homesteads in the Deep South have a name. This one was known as Ivy Green, and it was famous because the girl who lived there was Helen Keller. You can tour the Keller home and even see the water pump in the backyard where Helen said her first word. There are two things that Tuscumbia, Alabama, is known for. Besides being home to Helen Keller, the other one — and I’m not making this up — is being the location of the world’s only coon dog cemetery. Since you already know most of the story about Helen Keller, let’s talk for a minute about the coon dog cemetery. This part of the story comes from firsthand knowledge. When I drove out to the coon dog cemetery one day, I saw tombstones and memorials such as, “To my beloved dog, Butch.” As you drive in to the main entrance to the cemetery (actually, there’s only one entrance), you will see a statue of a coon dog with its front paws placed against a tree in which a raccoon is hiding. Now, back to our story. In 1880, Helen Keller was born as a healthy baby, but at 19 months she contracted an illness which left her blind and deaf. In 1887, the Keller family’s doctor referred them to a Scottish immigrant who taught speech to the deaf in Boston. He was also a
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pretty successful inventor; in fact, he invented a product in 1876 that is still widely used today. By the way, this man’s wife, the former Mabel Hubbard, was deaf, too. The inventor suggested that the Kellers write to Michael Anagnos (a-NON-yose), director of the Perkins Institution and the Massachusetts Asylum for the Blind, and request that he try to find a teacher for Helen. The person whom he recommended was Annie Sullivan. The inventor’s father-in-law delivered the patent application of his famous invention to the U.S. patent office one day in 1876, arriving just two hours before another inventor arrived to take out a patent on a different version of the exact same invention. The first inventor (the one who met with Helen Keller’s family) actually used some of the second inventor’s technology in his patent application, but that didn’t matter. Most people have never heard of the second inventor. The case went all the way to the Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of the first inventor. When the Keller family contacted the man, he recommended that Helen meet with Annie Sullivan, the lady who would become Helen Keller’s teacher. Ms. Sullivan was partially blind herself. Who was the inventor who introduced Helen Keller to Annie Sullivan and whose popular invention of 1876 is still widely used today? Alexander Graham Bell. But you knew that all along, didn’t you? Activity Guide for Students: When Helen Keller said her first magical word, it became a historical event. Write out three different headlines as though you were a newspaper reporter covering the event. © 2010 Paul Niemann. This story is part of the Red, White & True Mysteries series by author Paul Niemann. For more information, please visit www.InventionMysteries.com.
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At the Movies
Babies (In Theaters: May 7) This unusual documentary by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès follows the growth of four babies from four different locations around the world. A baby named Ponijao grows up with her family near Opuwo, Namibia, while a little one named Bayarjargal lives a different kind of life in Mongolia. Little Mari takes in the atmosphere of Tokyo during her first year of life, and tiny Hattie spends her first days breathing in San Francisco’s cool air. Babies gives audiences the opportunity to see the effects of their environment on the disposition and mannerisms of infants as they play, bathe, sleep and interact with the big world around them. Rated PG for cultural and maternal nudity throughout. (Focus Features) Letters to Juliet (In Theaters: May 14) Amanda Seyfried plays Sophie, an American girl who travels to Verona, Italy, with her fiancé (played by Gael Garcia Bernal). Once there, Sophie discovers an old stone wall where the heartbroken leave notes asking the mythical Juliet for her help. Behind a loose stone, Sophie finds a letter written in 1957 by a girl named Claire about a boy named Lorenzo and decides to write a reply. Little does Sophie realize that Claire is alive and well, and that she will accompany Claire and a young man named Charlie on a romantic journey to find Lorenzo. Rated PG for brief rude behavior, some language and incidental smoking. (Summit Entertainment) Shrek Forever After (In Theaters: May 21) In the last installment in the Shrek series, our favorite green ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) has
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lost his roar, the orange tabby Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) has gotten fat and the donkey (Eddie Murphy) is still, well, a donkey. Shrek needs to get his mojo back, but he’ll have to sign a deal with one very sneaky Rumpelstiltskin. But it’s a deal that turns everything upside-down and puts Rumpelstiltskin in charge as head of the kingdom. Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) doesn’t even know him anymore, and that’s just the beginning of Shrek’s problems. Rated PG for mild action, some rude humor and brief language. (DreamWorks) Movies on DVD
New York Street Games Learn all about great street games like Box Baseball, Stoopball, Ringoleavio, Kick the Can, Hopscotch, Skully, Stickball and more in this super-fun documentary that gets inside New York’s historic communal culture. Famous New Yorkers like Keith David, C. Everett Koop, Regis Philbin, Ray Romano and Whoopi Goldberg talk about the games they played growing up in the five boroughs. Most of the games were played with a “Spaldeen” (Spalding) High-Bounce ball that is really just the pink center of a Spalding tennis ball that the company sold in every corner store. Parents will enjoy the history lesson, and kids will get a kick out of learning about games that children have played for many generations. New York Street Games is only available through its Web site: newyorkstreetgames.com. A portion of all profits go to help support KaBOOM!, “the national nonprofit organization that makes children and communities healthier by creating great places to play.” Not Rated. (NY Street Games Productions) Cole Smithey, also known as “the smartest film critic in the world,” has been a film critic for 11 years and writes for over 50 publications, in print and on-line. Truman loves to watch movies and has the highest appreciation for great popcorn.
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MAY 2010
Our Message to the Milky Way “Hello from the children of planet Earth!” Someday, these words of friendship and peace might greet beings from another world! But, how? In 1977, the United States launched two unmanned spacecraft, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. They explored Jupiter and Saturn. Voyager 2 also explored Uranus and Neptune. Both spacecraft kept going, farther and farther from the Sun. Now, after 32 years, the Voyagers have finally reached the edge of our solar system. That is where the solar wind meets the interstellar wind. The solar wind is the blast of particles from our own star, the Sun. The interstellar wind What might intelligent beings from is the blast of another world think about us if someday they particles from find one of our Voyager spacecraft wandering other suns — through interstellar space? or stars. At that boundary, the Voyagers will become the first interstellar travelers from Earth — or maybe from anywhere. No one knows. No one knows whether life exists anywhere else but Earth. No one knows whether any alien life forms might be intelligent. No one knows whether any other beings might have space travel. But, what if the answer to all these questions is yes? And what if one of them found Voyager 1 or 2? Just in case aliens might find the Voyagers someday, their builders wanted them to carry a message from Earth. They wanted to show and tell who we are, how we live and what we have done. They wanted to send a message anyone could understand. They made a golden record with sounds and images of Earth. They used the languages of science and math to record other precise information about our world. They put one copy of the record on each Voyager spacecraft — just in case. We will probably never know whether anyone finds and plays our golden record. But isn’t it fun to imagine what that scene might be like? Would you like to hear some of the sounds and see some of the pictures carried on the golden records? Visit spaceplace.nasa. gov/en/kids/voyager. This article was written by Diane K. Fisher and illustrated by Alexander Novati. It was provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
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TM
A SECTION ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
BOOKSHELF
The Mommy Book
Author/Illustrator: Todd Parr Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Age Range: 4-8 “Some mommies work at home/ Some mommies work in big buildings.” Just in time for Mother’s Day, this book is perfect for all kinds of kids and all kinds of mothers. With his trademark child-like art, Todd Parr celebrates mothers, whether they drive a minivan or a motorcycle or work in a big building or at home. This book features simple text and bright, bold colors. —JK
The 39 Clues: The Emperor’s Code Author: Godon Korman Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Age Range: 8 to 12 My nine-year-old is totally hooked on The 39 Clues series, so I had to learn more. The books center around the Cahills, the most powerful family in the world. However, the source of the family’s great power has been lost. The last matriarch of the Cahills has died, changing her will just minutes before her death. She left her descendants an impossible decision: receive a million dollars or a clue. The first Cahill to assemble all 39 clues hidden around the world will discover what makes the family so powerful — the ultimate reward. The main characters are 14-year-old Amy and her 11-yearold brother Dan. Each book is also a multimedia series, with collectible game cards and a Web site that allows
readers to play a role in the story and compete for prizes. Book eight, The Emperor’s Code, was released in April and the final two titles in the series have been announced. Book nine, Storm Warning, and book 10, Into the Gauntlet, are coming soon. But don’t worry 39 Clues fans — there’s talk of a movie on the way as well! —JK
How to Train Your Dragon (Series #1) Author: Cressida Cowell Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Age Range: 8 to 12
From the publisher: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a truly extraordinary Viking hero known throughout Vikingdom as “the Dragon Whisperer” — but it wasn’t always so. Travel back to the days when the mighty warrior was just a boy, the quiet and thoughtful son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans. Can Hiccup capture a dragon and train it without being torn limb from limb? Join the adventure as the small boy finds a better way to train his dragon and becomes a hero!
My Garden Author: Kevin Henkes Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Age Range: 3 to 7
From the Publisher: The girl in this book grows chocolate rabbits, tomatoes as big as beach balls, flowers that change color and seashells in her garden. How does your garden grow?
P ARENTOWN
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MAY 2010
P ARENTOWN’S K ID S MART Three Ways to Teach Kids about Money, Right Now! Financially speaking, it’s a tough time to be a parent. While the economic turmoil may be behind us, many companies have frozen pay raises and bonuses while others have faced layoffs, and as a result, some families are still strapped. So if you’re feeling guilty because you couldn’t buy your child that video game system he wanted for Christmas, or if you’re asking him to choose between playing basketball or taking karate lessons this winter, Eric Tyson has one word for you: Don’t. In fact, he says, now is the perfect time to teach your kids some valuable financial lessons. “Kids are surprisingly aware of what’s going on in the world,” says Tyson, author of Personal Finance For Dummies®, 6th Edition. “And if they don’t know that times are a little bit tough and that Mom and Dad are having to watch their spending, it’s time to tell them. Sheltering kids from financial realities does them no favors.” Indeed, the opposite is true, says Tyson. A good grasp of personal finance is one of the most valuable life skills a person can have. And while previous generations may have been raised with the constant admonishment that “money doesn’t grow on trees,” too many of today’s parents neglect that lesson. It’s time to change that — and the severe recession we’ve been through provides a great incentive for doing so. Ready to get started? Tyson offers the following helpful hints: Tell them the truth. Kids are perceptive. If you’ve been acting anxious and on edge lately, they’ve noticed. Rather than let them wonder why Mom and Dad are working so much lately or constantly talking about money, explain (on their level) what’s going on in the family’s financial world. Explain to them how much things cost. Some parents are surprised to find
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out that their kids don’t have a very good grasp on what things cost. A great handson way to open their eyes is to take them on a “money tour” around the house. For example, kids might not understand that hot water costs more than cold water, or that bumping up the heat results in higher power bills. This exercise will teach them how they can conserve and thus help the family save money. You can also pile up all of the bills for the month and have them look at the amount on each one. Show them what the family’s cost of living is and again reiterate the areas in which they can play a part in reducing the costs. An allowance is a great teaching tool. You don’t have to break child labor laws to find great ways to help your kids earn their allowances rather than just have the money handed over to them. A well-implemented allowance program can mimic many money matters that adults face every day throughout their lives. From recognizing the need to earn the green stuff to learning how to spend responsibly and intelligently, save, and invest their allowances, children can gain a solid financial footing from a young age. “A great time to start is when your kids reach the five-to-seven age range,” says Tyson. “Start them on some household chores, and explain to them that they will be paid for their work. Of course, the size of the allowance should depend, in part, on what sorts of expenditures and savings you expect your child to engage in and, perhaps, the amount of ‘work’ you expect your child to perform around the house. I recommend paying $0.50 to $1.00 per year of age. So, for example, a six-year-old child would earn between $3 and $6 per week.” Eric Tyson, MBA, is one of the nation’s best-selling personal finance book authors and has penned five national bestsellers (he is also the only author to have four of his books simultaneously on BusinessWeek’s business book bestseller list). His Personal Finance For Dummies (Wiley) won the Benjamin Franklin Award for the Best Business Book of the Year. READERS: Please send your questions about kids and money to kvnews@kidsvillenews.com. We hope to start a new Q&A format for this section.
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P ARENTOWN’S K ID S HAPE Identifying Childhood Depression Children also may experience dysthymia, also known as low-grade Did you know that pre-schoolers are among the fastest-growing depression. Counseling and treatment with medication age bracket to which antidepressants are being for the short term can help. marketed, according to studies published in Psychiatric Services? Researchers estimate that Major depression is less likely in children, but more than a million young children are clinically teenagers may suffer from it. In fact, research depressed. Childhood Depression Awareness Day, indicates that dabbling with drugs, such as marijuana, also known as Green Ribbon Day, is May 4. cocaine and heroin during the teen years, is often a way to self-medicate and alleviate depression Depression is an illness that affects millions of symptoms. However, it can simply make matters adults but does not discriminate by age. Children worse. can be just as likely to develop the condition, especially if there is a genetic component, meaning Manic depression, also known as bi-polar depression runs in the family. disorder, can occur in children primarily if it runs in the family. If you or a relative has bi-polar disorder The symptoms of depression may be different and your child is exhibiting symptoms of extreme in children than in adults. This coupled with a highs and lows in behavior, see a doctor promptly for child’s inability to sometimes express what he treatment. or she is feeling can make diagnosing childhood depression more difficult. Signs include, but are not Depression is a treatable illness, provided steps limited to, rage, irritability, bedwetting and physical are taken to identify and treat the condition promptly. complaints, such as stomach aches, dizziness Most psychiatric experts agree that a combination of and headaches. medication and counseling is the key to dealing with depression. Depression is a broad term that covers a few different clinical disorders. Children most often For more information on mental health issues, visit experience “reactive depression,” or the blues Mental Health America at www.nmha.org. brought on by a change in circumstance or loss. Source: www.metrocreativeconnection.com. Divorce, moving or attending a new school can Anger, irritability or aggression in children induce this form of depression. could be signs of childhood depression.
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KIDSVILLE KITCHEN
Together Time — Ask an adult for help with projects!
Have a Sweet Mother’s Day Morning!
Mother’s Day is in May, and mom’s love getting a surprise breakfast-in-bed! It doesn’t have to be a lot of work to create a special breakfast for Mom. Refrigerated cinnamon rolls are a delicious way to sweeten up Sunday mornings without a lot of fuss. Semi-Homemade’s Sandra Lee knows how to make an incredibly easy, yet special, breakfast. According to Lee, smart shortcuts, like using refrigerated cinnamon rolls, let you create something delicious and still have time to enjoy it with those you love. Try one of these new easy breakfast recipes from Sandra Lee, and show your mom how sweet you are!
CINNAMON ROLL FRENCH TOAST
WHAT YOU NEED: • 1 can (12.4 ounces) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing • 2 eggs • 2/3 cup milk • 4 tablespoons maple syrup, divided • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Warm water, as needed HOW TO MAKE IT: • With adult help: Bake cinnamon rolls as directed on package. Cool completely. • Spray griddle or 10-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or skillet to medium heat. Slice each roll in half crosswise. • In shallow dish, whisk eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons of the maple syrup and the vanilla extract until blended. Dip each cinnamon roll slice into egg mixture, turning to coat completely. Place on griddle. Cook about 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. • In small bowl, whisk reserved icing, the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and warm water, as needed, to create a pourable consistency. Spoon over French toast. Makes 8 servings.
APPLE WALNUT STICKY BUNS
WHAT YOU NEED: • 2 tablespoons butter, softened • 1 medium Granny Smith apple, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes • 3/4 cup chopped walnuts • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1 can (12.4 ounces) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing HOW TO MAKE IT: • With adult help: Heat oven to 375°F. Generously butter 8 regular muffin cups. • In bowl, mix apples, walnuts and brown sugar; divide evenly among muffin cups. Separate cinnamon rolls; reserve icing. Place 1 cinnamon roll in each cup. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes. Place cookie sheet upside down over muffin pan; turn over. Remove pan. • Remove lid from icing; microwave on medium (50 percent power) 5 to 10 seconds or until thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over warm buns. Serve warm. Courtesy of Family Features and Pillsbury. For more delicious recipes, go to Pillsbury. com.
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