Ladybug Stories, Poems, and Songs Magazine for Young Kids and Children October 2015

This morning I am up with the birds, putting on my farm overalls and pulling on my boots. “Papa!” I call as I run out the door. “Can I come farm with you?” It’s harvest time on our Montana wheat farm, and the best part of living here is hanging out with Papa while he works. “OK, Sweet Pea. But you’ll have to help.” “OK, Papa!” When we get to the combine, the fields lie before us in rippling gold—acres and acres of ripe grain swaying in the breeze. “Papa,” I ask, “how do you know it’s time for the harvest?” Papa plucks a head of wheat and rubs it between his hands until it crumbles. “See how the kernels separate from the chaff?” He blows and the chaff flies…

In autumn, when Earth is green and yellow and every hue of gold, the blackbird, his shoulders blazing red, gives the call. Kong-ka-ree! Kong-ka-ree! He waits alone in the golden trees. Slowly, autumn’s colors melt from trees and meadows and fields. Earth turns tan and brown. Suddenly, the blackbird’s friends arrive. More friends come, and more. Twenty, then thirty, then one hundred blackbirds gather in the trees. Blackbird and his friends are excited and nervous. Chit chit, chit chit, they call to each other. The time is coming. Earth continues to pale and fade and then . . . WIND! It howls and whips and moans. It tears the golden leaves from their branches. Blackbird and his friends huddle together in the trees. Quiet. Waiting. When the wind stops blowing,…

Skinny Rabbit woke in the middle of the night. What was that noise he’d heard? He looked out the bedroom window. Under the tree in his backyard stood Something large. Something scary. Skinny Rabbit’s heart gave a thump. Then he looked again. Wait a minute! That Something was his neighbor, Big Bear. Skinny Rabbit hurried outside. “Big Bear, what are you doing here?” Big Bear rubbed his eyes. “Is that you, Skinny Rabbit?” “Of course it’s me. Who else would it be? Why are you standing in my backyard in the middle of the night?” “I don’t know,” said Big Bear, puzzled. “You must have walked in your sleep.” “I guess I did.” Big Bear scratched his head. “Well, I am wide awake now.” “Come inside and I will fix…

First we chip-a chip-a the egg against a bowl. Then we drip-a drip-a the eggie-weg out whole. Then we splash-a splash-a some water on the egg, And we shake-a shake-a cinnamon or nutmeg. Next we whip-a whip-a the mixture with a whisk. Then we dip-a dip-a the bread into the mix. Do the flip-a flip-a, you can use your hands! Then slip-a slip-a the bread into the pan. Last we slap-a slap-a the toast upon a plate. And slop-a slop the syrup. Yum! French toast is great!…

What You’ll Need: Someone to play with Scissors Glue or tape What to Do: Cut out the game board, the flipping disk, the trick-or-treater game pieces, and the candy cards along the blue outlines. Fold the game pieces along the black dotted lines so they will stand up. Glue or tape flaps together. Take turns with the other player. Flip the disk and move your game piece one or two spaces. Follow any directions written on the space where you land. Count your candy cards when you get home. How many sweet treats did you collect?…