Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2017 i Ask Science and Arts Magazine for Kids and Children

A Sheep's-Eye View In the Atlantic Ocean, between Norway and Iceland, there’s a chain of islands called the Faroe Islands. Not many people live there. In fact, the islands have more sheep than people. Recently, the islanders put a few of those sheep to work mapping their islands for the Internet. To make the maps, people strapped cameras to the backs of some of the islands’ sheep. As the sheep wandered, the cameras took pictures of the scenery. Islanders plan to add the pictures to Google Maps. When Google learned about the project, it sent more cameras to help out. That means everyone in the world will get a better look at those sheep-covered hills. CAST SWEEP NO - BELL PRIZES Applaws greeted the surprise announcement April 1 that felines…

Big or small, all cats eat meat. And their bodies, inside and out, have evolved to stalk and hunt prey. On the outside, a cheetah and a tabby cat have much in common. The cheetah is a runner—the fastest mammal on earth. It can sprint up to 70 miles (113 km) an hour to chase down its prey. Most other cats, big and small, prefer to sneak up and pounce upon their targets. But even house cats can put on a burst of speed when they want to. Compare some of the features of this powerful cheetah with a kitty cat you may know. And next time Pusskins attacks that stuffed mouse, stand back and watch a natural hunter in action. Cats have very sharp eyes, which see well in…

When he was a young boy living in a village in southwest India, Ullas Karanth saw wildlife all around. Elephants and leopards roamed the mountains nearby. He spent hours bird-watching. But as Ullas grew up, he saw forests cut down all around India. Because animals cannot survive when their habitats, or natural homes, are destroyed, Ullas worried that the animals he loved would soon disappear. Indeed, tigers were already vanishing. In all his years of looking, Ullas had never seen one in the wild. In the 1970s, other people in India also started worrying about the future of wildlife. The government passed laws and created nature reserves to protect animals. Ullas Karanth saw his first wild tiger in one of those reserves more than 30 years ago. At that thrilling…

How to Speak Cat by Sarah Whitehead This is a very useful book if you live with a cat. It reveals the secrets of cat body language, growls, and meows, so you can understand your cat and avoid unintentional rudeness. There’s also lots of tips for keeping cats happy, healthy, safe, and amused. When the cat’s happy, everyone’s happy! Koko’s Kitten by Francine Patterson This is the charming true story of Koko, a gorilla who learned to use hand signs to say simple things to her trainers. She enjoyed picture books about cats, and one day she signed that she would like—a kitten! Her kind keepers found her one, and soon Koko and All Ball were best buddies. You never know where you’ll find a friend! Is My Cat a…

Cats hiss when they’re angry, meow to get our attention, and purr when they’re happy (or to comfort themselves). But cats mostly show what they’re feeling with body language. With practice, you can learn to read these cues too. When you see a cat, look at how she holds herself. Does she look tense or relaxed? Are her ears perked, or moving around, or flat? Is the tail twitching with excitement? Even when she’s silent, your cat is saying plenty! Hello! How are you? A cat with her tail straight up is saying hello. When friendly cats meet, they may rub past each other and entwine tails. Cat kiss When a cat blinks at you slowly, that’s a cat kiss! If you blink back slowly, she may do it again.…

Dear Marvin, One time I put toilet paper in my little brother’s shoes and he thought his feet grew over night. Your friend, Lizzie Dear Lizzie, Ooo, is it April yet? Hey, it is! Ha ha! That is a funny one! If only I knew someone who wore shoes...oh, wait, I know someone! Don’t worry, I’ll tell Plush it was really your idea. Thanks! Have a productive April Fools! In Mischief and Out Marvin Dear Plush, I’ve got a prank for you. Take 50 ice bags and stick them in Marvin’s room! Or put a whoopie cushion in his hammock! It will be so funny! Do you like books? I do! Right now I’m reading The Sisters Grimm. It’s a good book! Nicely, Clara, age 8, Texas Dear Clara, It…