Ladybug Stories, Poems, and Songs Magazine for Young Kids and Children May/June 2017

Kate, Max, and Charlie are at a carnival. “You can each choose a ride,” says Max's daddy. “We'll all go on them together!” Kate picks the green caterpillar roller coaster. She waves Kiwi above her head as they go down the hill. Everyone whoops and squeals! Max picks the beautiful old carousel. “Mo loves it!” he shouts as they dip up and down. Next, Charlie chooses the pirate ride. Kersplash! “Whee!” he says with a laugh. “This is more my speed,” says Max’s mommy as they sit and dry off. “I call it Mommy's Ice Cream Ride!” says Max.…

“I’m hot,” said a bee, buzzing slowly by a tree.“Where’s the rain when we need it? Where’s the rain?”“I’m thirsty,” said a flower, drooping lower every hour.“Where’s the rain when we need it? Where’s the rain?” “Can’t fly, too dry,” cried a blue butterfly.“Where’s the rain when we need it? Where’s the rain?”“I’ve lost my trail,” wailed a curly little snail. “Where’s the rain when we need it? Where’s the rain?” Along came a girl with a silver water pailAnd she shook the shiny spout all about.She soaked the droopy flower with a quick, refreshing showerAnd she sprayed and sprinkled every little sprout. “Thanks,” buzzed the bee. “I’m as cool as can be.”“Now,” said the flower, “I’ll bloom hour after hour.”“I’m feeling very spry,” cried the blue butterfly.“Whee!” squealed the…

Once there was a watermelon seed. It was smooth and black and shiny. It lay under the moist, soft brown earth. The water in the soil seemed to say, “Drink me, swell up, wake up!” and the seed did. It swelled up and burst its shiny, black skin. The pale white inside part of the seed pushed up, up, out of the dark earth. As it rose, the seed divided into two sprouts that looked like arms greeting the warm sun. The sun shone down on the pale, curving sprouts, and they turned into a strong, green watermelon vine. The seed’s lower part reached down into the dark earth and divided into roots, seeking nourishment. The roots carried the moisture and minerals from the earth up the stem into the…

“ We need a good night’s sleep,” Ally told her baseball bat as she closed her eyes. “Tomorrow is a big day.” All was quiet, all was well. Ally slept, until . . . Swoosh! Rushing wind rattled her windowpane. “That noise has got to stop.” Ally hopped out of bed and opened the window. “Excuse me, Mr. Wind!” “Yes, little girl?” whooshed a gentle breeze. “I’m sorry, but you’re keeping my bat and me awake.” “But when will I whiz, wail, and whoo?” asked Mr. Wind. “This is my job, you know.” “Please, not tonight,” said Ally. “I have something important to do tomorrow.” She whispered a secret to him. “Ah, I see,” said Mr. Wind, closing the window. “Good luck!” All was quiet, all was well. Ally slept,…

What You’ll Need: scissors glue tape string What to Do: 1. With a grownup, cut out all the pieces. 2. Cut flaps in the colorful carousel top, following the black dotted lines. Be careful not to cut too far! 3. Fold down the flaps on the carousel top. 4. The carousel top has a triangle cut out of it. Bring the edges of the triangle together to make a little tent and glue in place. 5. Glue the colored circles to the outside of the carousel top. 6. Fold each pole away from you at the dotted line. 7. Glue an animal to each pole. 8. Tape the folded part of each pole to the inside of the carousel top, spacing the poles evenly around the top. 9. String a…