Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2018 i Spider Magazine Stories, Games, Activites and Puzzles for Children and Kids

“OH,” KOFI CRIED as he stumbled into Kendra, who dropped the Kwanzaa decorations that she had been holding. Crash! The fruit bowl for the celebration broke into many small pieces. Scowling, Kendra picked up the straw mat and asked Kofi, “Now what will hold the fruit and fit between the ears of corn?” Kofi looked sadly at the broken bowl and whispered to himself, “I’ll paint another bowl for tomorrow night’s celebration—in time for the first night of Kwanzaa.” He crept upstairs and pulled his crumpled dollar from the box under his bed. Then Kofi raced to the festival market on Lenox Avenue where people sat on stools talking and laughing. Musicians strummed or pounded or shook their instruments. Artists painted a mural. Men and women wearing bright robes called…

EVERY HANUKKAH, MAMA and Papa Fieldmouse put latkes on the menu at the Mouse Café. They were the best latkes around, possibly the best in the world, but Mama always said it’s hard to judge that sort of thing for sure. The Mouse Café had a nice view, good folk, and fine food. It also had a problem—an owl problem. Coming and going after dark had always been tricky business, but the owl danger grew as midwinter approached. “Hungry, he is, what with all the cold,” said one old-timer. “Depressed,” said another. “When I get glum, I eat. So does he.” “I don’t fancy being an owl’s comfort, myself,” said a third. And so as Hanukkah approached, the Mouse Café stood empty. Every window had a menorah waiting to be…

Hi, Everybuggy, Spider, you are really funny. Ophelia, I think that you have the best activities. My favorite was the sun and snowflake one (February 2017). Thistle, I think you are funny. Here is a joke: What do pandas fight with? Their bear hands. What are you having for Thanksgiving? I will have duck, cranberry sauce, chicken, and mashed potatoes. Emerson E., age 8 Tacoma, Washington Miro’s doing most of the cooking for our Thanksgiving this year. I’m not sure what he’s fixing, but it’s bound to be delicious! Bon appétit, Ophelia Dear Spider, I would like to adopt Foxy, who appeared in Spider magazine (February 2018). Could I have her in at least ten days? Please, I really, really, really, really—almost done—really, really want her. I…

What You’ll Need: scissors glue What to Do: 1 Cut out tail, turkey, and card along solid lines. 2 Fold tail—accordion-style—along dotted lines (figure 1). 3 Fold tabs at bottom of turkey toward the back along dotted lines. 4 Fold turkey in half vertically (figure 2). 5 Fold each tab up to meet with the vertical fold. Make a crease, then unfold (figure 3). 6 Fold card in half along dotted line. 7 Glue tail tabs 1 and 2 to patches 1 and 2 on card (figure 4). 8 Glue turkey tabs 3 and 4 to patches 3 and 4 on card (figure 5). Knock Knock! Who’s there? Odette. Odette who? CAUTION! You are now entering the FUN ZONE…

You asked if I have learned to swim. And I replied, “Not yet. But I’ve had water to my chin and don’t mind getting wet.” I’ve watched my mom as she swims laps. I know her strokes by heart. I’ve studied water current maps, and made a detailed chart. I’ve learned how muscles make legs go by watching frogs in tanks. You asked if I need lessons. “No! No need for lessons, thanks!”…

LIGHT UP DARK winter nights by crafting a cheery, colorful candleholder. What You’ll Need:  dark-colored construction paper colorful tissue paper clean, small glass jar small candle scissors glue stick paper clip or clothespin What to Do: 1. Cut a strip of construction paper so it wraps around the jar with a bit of overlap. You might need to glue on more construction paper to make the strip long enough. 2. Fold the strip in half crosswise. Repeat two more times, and crease the fold well each time. 3. Cut shapes along the folded edges of the paper. Don’t cut on the unfolded edges, and don’t cut all the way through! When you’re done, unfold the paper and admire your shapes. 4. Cut tissue paper into pieces that are a little…

WE LOVE OUR Aunt Edna. She’s kind and sweet, she brings us donuts, and her dog Webster knows cool tricks. But every time she visits, she announces, “It is my obligation to increase your vocabulary.” Translation: she always teaches us new words. Lots of them. When she arrives, she says, “It is time for a familial embrace!” Translation: a hug no matter what, even if she is wearing too much perfume and her buttons poke us in the eye. When she makes lunch, she says things like, “The legumes are delectable.” Translation: the peas are good, so don’t hide any under your mashed potatoes. She doesn’t teach us manners, oh no. She teaches us to “avoid the social faux pas.” Translation: don’t embarrass her in public by burping on the…

What is black and white and spins around?  A zebra in a revolving door! Lucy Austin Phoenix, AZ Knock, knock. Who’s there? Carrot. Carrot who? Don’t you carrot all about me? Ida D., age 8 Petoskey, MI What is a burger’s favorite hairstyle?  A bun. Meera S., age 9 Sacramento, CA Why are witch twins so confusing? You can never tell which witch is which. Lucas Kennedy-Farrell, age 5 Evanston, IL Why did the robot cross the road? It was programmed by the chicken! Scarlett H., age 8 Naperville, IL What do you call a unicorn that plays a trumpet?  A unihorn! Diana Christy, age 8 Marietta, GA Send your favorite jokes to spider@cricketmedia.com!…

Samuel B., age 9 Bend, Oregon Grub’s Trading Post After the ice cream, they started the hike back. Before two minutes could pass, Bill said, “I . . . need . . . trail mix!” “Good thing I made some more trail mix back at Ophelia’s house!” responded Miro. “If I did not, then—” “Gimme, gimme!” interrupted Bill. Then came the treacherous part. “Wow, Sonya! Did you really hike this?” asked Sam. “No. I did not. Spider and I did,” Sonya said. “Well, I know one thing. I can’t hike this with my injury!” said Sam. “I’ll call a taxi.” Soon a taxi pulled up, and everyone except Sonya and Spider got in. “Whelp, I guess it’s just us again,” said Sonya. So they kept walking and climbing until they…

Answer to TURKEY HUNT Mind-Buggler Miro’s Hot Cider Punch What You’ll Need: ½-gallon apple cider 1 orange, sliced 3 cinnamon sticks 1 tbsp whole cloves What to Do: Add the ingredients into a slow cooker or a saucepan. With an adult’s help, heat on low for one hour. Strain out the spices with a slotted spoon. Serve warm punch in mugs and enjoy! Answer to Pedaling in Sauerkraut J. / 2. L. / 3. B. / 4. F. / 5. A. / 6. K. / 7. G. / 8. E. / 9. D. / 10. C. / 11. I. / 12. H. Q. When do turkeys like to go outside? A. In fowl weather! *Send your favorite jokes to spider@ cricketmedia.com !…