Indholdsfortegnelse for February 2022 i Ladybug Stories, Poems, and Songs Magazine for Young Kids and Children

One rainy day, Kate’s daddy rolls out a long sheet of paper on the kitchen floor. “Will you paint a picture of the country that I can take to work?” he asks Kate, Charlie, and Max. “It would be a breath of fresh air in my office!” Max and Kate get to work. Kate paints a golden-yellow wheat field. Max adds a red tractor. “H’m,” says Kate. “It needs something else. But what?” Suddenly, Charlie dips both his hands in the green paint. He makes splotches all over the paper! “Eek!” says Max. “Charlie spoiled everything.” “Turn that frown upside down, Max,” says Kate. She paints brown lines under the green splotches. “Charlie knew just what we needed,” she says with a chuckle. “Trees!”…

Owen and Mary Ann have brought their velociraptor friends to visit ballet class. Their ballet teacher, Ms. Eliana, is surprised. “I have never taught velociraptors before. Perhaps they could sit with the grownups and watch?” Velociraptors have a hard time sitting still. Grownups have a hard time sitting with velociraptors. Owen raises his hand. “Please, Ms. Eliana? I think the velociraptors would do better if they stayed with us.” “Really, Owen? Well, perhaps they could try joining the class.” Velociraptors have a hard time sitting in a circle for stretches. “Keep trying!” Mary Ann tells them. “Stretching is important!” Velociraptors have a hard time standing at the bar. “Keep trying!” Owen tells them. “It takes practice!” Velociraptors can easily do arabesques! The children all clap for them. “Beautiful!” says Ms.…

Welcome friends, birds, and small creatures that pass by your home with your own icy art! What You’ll Need: empty plastic deli container small treasures yarn or string purified water What to Do: 1. Take a winter walk, inside or outside, to look for treasures that will fit in the bottom of your container. You might find beads, buttons, leaves, pine needles, flower petals—whatever you like! 2. Arrange the treasures in your container. Make a loop with the yarn and place both ends in the container, with the loop hanging over the edge. 3. Pour in enough water to cover your treasures and the ends of the yarn. Freeze overnight. 4. In the morning, pop your icy art out of the container and hang it outside. It will catch the…

What if I start on the wrong foot? I’ll throw in a hop as I skip. What if I pedal in circles? I might have an interesting trip! What if I can’t hit the high notes? I’ll make up a song on my own. What if I trip on my big feet? At least I can see that I’ve grown. What if I lose things I’ve hidden? A treasure hunt works like a charm. What if I step in a puddle? I’m barefoot—no need for alarm. Clearly, I’ll never be perfect, since perfect is too hard to be. That’s why I’m happy-go-lucky and why I’m the happiest me!…

Deep in the snow in the brown-and-white forest is a den where a big bear sleeps. Beside the big bear is a little bear. They sleep all day and all night. It is warm in the cave, and the bears are fat. One day the little bear opens his eyes. He feels the warm fur of the big bear next to him and he almost goes back to sleep. But his nose itches, and he scratches it. He sits up and looks around. It is dark, but not as dark as it was in the deep winter. Maybe spring is here, he thinks. Or maybe summer. Maybe I slept too long! He shakes the big bear’s foot. “Wake up!” he says. “Winter is over! Maybe.” The big bear sleeps on.…

What You’ll Need: scissors glue What to Do: 1. With a grownup, cut out the 4 block patterns along the dotted lines. To make the blocks, fold each pattern away from yourself along the solid black lines. 2. Add a small amount of glue to each tab with purple lines. Tuck the glued tabs inside as you fold each pattern into a block. Let dry. 3. Spread the blocks out on a table. Can you put them together to complete the Valentine Buddies you see in the guide? What special message does each friend have for you?…

“What are you painting, Julie?” asked Teddy. “It’s a valentine for Mom!” said Julie. “With her favorite flower. Do you like it?” “Yes,” said Teddy. He did like it, even though when he painted pictures, he liked to imagine things that he didn’t see every day. He went off to make a valentine. “Hey, Julie!” cried Teddy when he was finished. “Do you like my picture?” “What is it?” said Julie. “It doesn’t look like anything at all to me.” “It’s two dinosaurs dancing!” said Teddy. “I’m surprised you can’t tell!”…

Dez counted. And counted again. Twenty-one red paper hearts he’d cut out for his kindergarten class. He counted the class list again. Very carefully. “Slow down,” his teacher had told him just yesterday at school. “Take your time.” Twenty-two. He needed twenty-two paper hearts. “Your face is long.” Mom spoke from the kitchen doorway. “There’s no paper left, and I need one more heart,” Dez told her. “Can we go to the store again?” Mom went away but came back with his jacket. “We have just enough time before the store closes,” she said. “If we hurry.” She probably added that last bit because Dez wasn’t moving. He was counting his list CAREFULLY. Still twenty-two names. And still just twenty-one hearts. Then he put on his jacket. “You tell me…