Innholdsfortegnelse for April 2020 i Spider Magazine Stories, Games, Activites and Puzzles for Children and Kids

“WELCOME TO BIRD-TRAINING camp, movie lovers!” a young woman hollered to the crowd of students gathered on the grassy, tree-bordered field behind Pine Nut Elementary School. She had dark skin and dark glasses and a handful of colorful folded cards. She wore a nametag that read “Bird Expert Emma.” “Today you’ll go behind the scenes with Blockbuster Bird Stars and get a glimpse of how we train birds to perform in the movies. You’ll each work with a different bird and a different trainer. I’ve got your assignments right here!” The field was sectioned off with movieland bird training experts showing off for the crowd of mesmerized kids. Emma began passing out the folded cards. Dandelion Pinkley turned to her brother and with a thrill in her voice said, “This…

A NANSI THE SPIDER was once very handsome, with eight long legs, a round little belly, and a stunning head of hair. He was also very greedy and hoarded everything in sight. Alas, his never-ending appetite eventually cost him his hair. It happened at harvest time. “Make yourself useful, dear, and go help your mama pick the corn,” Anansi’s wife said to him one morning as he lounged lazily in his web. “Ugh,” Anansi groaned, for the mere mention of work made his tummy growl. Nevertheless, he grabbed his hat and started slowly on his way. To his dismay, the path was hot and dusty, and tasty tidbits were few and far between. Only the thought of Mama’s delicious bean stew kept him going. By the time he arrived, all…

Dear Spider, I love your magazine. I have three chickens. Their names are Pirate, Sweetie, and Clementine. Can you adopt them? Sophia Libby, age 10 Auburn, Maine Dear Thistle, You are just the cutest thing ever! Will you adopt my pet ocelot? Chicken is his favorite food. Do not ever feed him corn. He hates it. He is really gentle and would love you. Also, can you adopt my pet unicorn? Her name is Star Bright. She loves ice cream. Any kind will please her. She is very square. I don’t know why. Anjelina Howell, age 10 Isleton, California  Hi, Everybuggy! Can you please adopt my pet budgies, Piper and Leo? Piper is eight and Leo is nine. Their favorite food is the tiny corn things that you can get…

“ QUICK, EM, GET the pie tins.” Emma reached across the basket of beans she had just picked and grabbed two shiny tins. Her mother pointed to a dark creature skulking at the edge of the garden. “Now,” her mother ordered, and Emma clapped the pie tins together. Bang-clang. Bang-clang. The raccoon stared curiously at Emma, but did not move. “Young raccoons sometimes forage during the day,” her mother said. “I guess this one’s getting braver.” She took the tins from Emma and banged them louder, whooping and yelling. The raccoon scampered back into the woods. “He’s after the melons this time,” her mother said. “I just hope he leaves the bees alone. The honey is almost ready to harvest.” Emma glanced down the hill to the hive her mother…

Contest Rules Write a poem about a bird or bug.  Here are the only rules: 1. Your entry must be signed by a parent or legal guardian, authorizing its publication in print and/or online and saying it’s your own idea. 2. Be sure to include your complete name, age, and address. 3. Your entry must arrive by April 25, 2020. We will publish our favorites in the September 2020 issue of Spider. Email your entry to spider@cricketmedia.com, or send it to Spider’s Corner, P.O. Box 300, Peru, IL 61354.…

Rahil S., age 6 Danbury, Connecticut Dinosaurs Rose B., age 8 Marquette, Michigan Mystical Tree Abigail D., age 9 Mullica Hill, New Jersey Ella B., age 7 Bethesda, Maryland Friends and Family Playing Soccer on an Alien Planet Dhruva C., age 8 Rajkot, Gujarat, India Jaslene Kwack, age 9 Lisle, Illinois “Watch Out Behind You!” Maya Levine, age 7 San Diego, California Benjamin Kwack, age 8 Lisle, Illinois Together Anni Lantagne, age 10 Norman, Oklahoma Justine Bjerke, age 10 Alvin, Texas Allosaurus Piper Watkins, age 9 Bixby, Oklahoma A Sled Made for Six…