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© 2010 Universal Uclick

release dates: July 24-30 30-1 (10)

from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal UclickFanciful Creatures

Mythological Animals

Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.

Are you a fan of fantasy? Books and movies about strange fictional creatures often capture kids’ imaginations. Books by Rick Riordan (the “Percy Jackson” series) and Mary Pope Osborne (the “Magic Treehouse” books), and movies such as “The

Chronicles of Narnia” and “Eragon,” take us on wild rides to unusual worlds filled with all kinds of beings. Dragons, unicorns and other mythological (mith-oh-LAHJ-ih-cul) animals have been part of humans’ storytelling for many centuries. These creatures were probably thought up to help people explain things they didn’t understand. For instance, when early people found fossils of dinosaurs, they may have imagined that the bones came from huge fire-breathing dragons. Some fictional creatures come from Greek mythology — legends the ancient Greek people believed about their gods and the world.

An exhibit from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, “Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids,” is on tour in the United States and Canada. Upcoming locations include: Ontario Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (Oct. 23, 2010 - Jan. 9, 2011); Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta, Ga. (Feb. 26, 2011 - Aug. 7, 2011); Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Cleveland, Ohio (March 3, 2012 - June 23, 2012).

Unicorn A unicorn was thought to have a horse’s body, with a single spiral horn growing from its forehead. Early people believed the horn and blood of a unicorn had magical healing properties, and the horn could chase away evil. Kings wanted drinking cups made from the horns so they wouldn’t be poisoned. Legend said that unicorns were nearly impossible to catch unless a young woman was brought into the forest, where the unicorn would lie down and put his head in her lap. This made it easy for a hunter to take the unicorn’s horn — and so the animals became extinct.Pegasus Pegasus, another magical horse, had wings and could fly. In Greek mythology, Pegasus carried thunderbolts for Zeus, the king of the gods. Today, the pegasus is a popular symbol for companies and organizations. You might see one on a pair of shoes or at the beginning of a movie.

These kids use magnets to arrange mammoth “bones” to form the skeleton of a mythical giant. They are exploring the “Mythic Creatures” exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History. The animal behind them is a unicorn.

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from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

30-2 (10); release dates: July 24-30®

Creatures of the Sea

Words that remind us of mythological creatures are hidden in the block below. Some words are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you can find: BOOK, DRAGON, FANTASY, FOLKLORE, FOSSIL, GREEK, GRIFFIN, HIPPOCAMPUS, HORN, KRAKEN, LEGEND, MERMAID, MYTHOLOGICAL, PEGASUS, PHOENIX, SQUID, TENTACLE, UNICORN, ZEUS.

Mythological Animals

try ’nfind

Which creature Would you like

as a pet?

S U P M A C O P P I H Y J E B E U B H R V K R A K E N R O L L N S Q O E D N R O H O O F D C I N A E E I J D S L K D A I A C O R G F N N U K C I O N A T O G Y F E E I L S U E Z T M N R A I H G P O X Q G J V A R E N R C E D F O S S I L W S E T G D L A C I G O L O H T Y M


Basset Brown

the news

Hound’s

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ready resourcesfrom The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

The Mini Page provides ideas for websites, books or other resources that will help you learn more about this week’s topics.

On the Web:• www.amnh.org/exhibitions/mythiccreatures/

funfacts.php• www.amnh.org/ology/?channel=mythiccreaturesAt the library:• “Fantastic Creatures From Greek Myths” by Pat

Posner


Kraken Giant squid, or kraken (KRAH-ken), were said to live off the coasts of Norway and Iceland. These sea monsters were thought to be huge and fearsome. Kraken usually lived deep in the ocean, but sometimes they would come to the surface and attack ships. Experts think the legend might have come from sightings of real giant squid, which are estimated to grow up to 70 feet long including the tentacles. In legend, however, a kraken might be a mile and a half long and weigh many hundreds of tons.

Hippocampus A sea creature called the hippocampus was legendary from early Phoenician and Greek mythology. It looked like a large horse with a fish tail. In Greek mythology, hippocampi

were thought to serve Poseidon, the god of the sea. They pulled his chariot through the seas. Today, “hippocampus” refers to the small real creature we know as the seahorse.

Mermaid A mermaid was believed to have a female human body and the tail of a fish. Mermaids were described in British folklore as unlucky signs. People believed they not only predicted disaster, but also might bring it on. Mermaids would sing or speak to sailors on ships and persuade them to come into the water. Then they would take the men to their underwater kingdom and drown them. Or they might tell the sailors they’d never see land again and cause a storm to sink the ship. Legend says mermaids are related to selkies, animals that could transform from seals to humans.

Next to this model of a kraken is a 6-foot section of a tentacle from a real giant squid, caught by fishermen near New Zealand in 1997. The entire squid measured 25 feet, which is not considered large for this animal.

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Hippocampi are shown with wings in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy.

® 30-3 (10); release dates: July 24-30

Rookie Cookie’s RecipeSpicy Beans and Rice

You’ll need:• 2 teaspoons olive oil• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped• 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)• 1 (15.5-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed• 1 (1-ounce) package taco seasoning mix, divided• 21/2 cups brown rice, cooked• 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheeseWhat to do:1. Heat oil in large skillet; add bell pepper and onion.2. Cook on medium heat for 5 to 8 minutes until soft.3. Add beans and continue to cook for 2 more minutes until beans are warm.4. Remove from heat. Stir in half of taco seasoning packet.5. Place warm cooked rice in bowl; mix in other half of taco seasoning.6. Stir in bean mixture. Top with cheddar cheese.You will need an adult’s help with this recipe.


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Meet Tom Hanks Tom Hanks is the voice of Woody in the Disney-Pixar movie “Toy Story 3.” Tom, 54, was born in Concord, Calif., and grew up in Oakland, Calif. He acted in plays in high school. His first acting job was in a theater festival in Cleveland, Ohio. He then got a job with a Shakespeare company in New York.

Tom has been in many movies, including “Forrest Gump,” “Cast Away,” “The Polar Express,” “Cars” and “Apollo 13.” He wrote, produced, directed and acted in a real-life series about the Apollo space program, “From the Earth to the Moon.” He is a member of the International Thespian Society, a group supporting theater in high school. He also supports many environmental causes.


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All the following jokes have something in common. Can you guess the common theme or category?

Michael: What is the unicorn’s vegetable of choice?

Madison: One ear of corn!Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.

Mini Spy . . .Mini Spy and Basset Brown are enjoying the mythological creatures exhibit. See if you can find:• star • gargoyle • heart • ladder• watering can • tin can • kite • dice• ice cream cone • flying bird • letter A • letter L• word MINI • peanut • candy cane • bread slice• bucket • letter H • fly swatter


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Mary: Why did the Loch Ness monster play the lottery?

Morgan: He was feeling “locky” that day!

Margery: What is the Abominable Snowman’s favorite kind of transportation?

Mark: The “icicle”!To order, send $15.99 ($19.99 Canada) plus $5 postage and handling for each copy. Make check or money order (U.S. funds only) payable to Universal Uclick. Send to The Mini Page Book of States, Universal Uclick, P.O. Box 6814, Leawood, KS 66206. Or call toll-free 800-591-2097 or go to www.smartwarehousing.com. Please send ______ copies of The Mini Page Book of States (Item #0-7407-8549-4) at $20.99 each, total cost. (Bulk discount information available upon request.)Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________Address: _______________________________________________________________________________________City: _________________________________________________________ State: _________ Zip: ________________

The Mini Page’s popular series of issues about each state is collected here in a 156-page softcover book. Conveniently spiral-bound for ease of use, this invaluable resource contains A-to-Z facts about each state, along with the District of Columbia. Illustrated with colorful photographs and art, and complete with updated information, The Mini Page Book of States will be a favorite in classrooms and homes for years to come.

The Mini Page®

Book of StatesNEW!


30-4 (10); release dates: July 24-30®

Fearsome Fictional Creatures


The Mini Page StaffBetty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist

Dragon Dragons in myths were believed to steal gold from ancient kings, keeping it in secret caves in mountain peaks. There are many kinds of dragon legends and many fantasy books written about them.

Phoenix You may know Phoenix (FEE-nix) as the capital of Arizona. That hot city is named after a hot mythological bird. The phoenix is a fire spirit with colorful feathers and a tail of red and gold, or other colors according to different legends. It lives from 500 to 1,000 years. Legend says that at the end of its life, it builds a nest of twigs that catches on fire; the bird and its nest burn to ashes, and a new young phoenix or an egg appears. In some stories, a phoenix can change into a person.Griffin Griffins were creatures with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Because a lion was thought to be the king of beasts and an eagle the king of birds, griffins were believed to be especially powerful and majestic. Griffins were known for guarding treasure and priceless things. Some believe the legend began when early people found bones or fossils of Protoceratops.

Dragons are a part of legends in many cultures. The 17-foot-long dragon modeled here, from the “Mythic Creatures” exhibit, is typical of dragons from English folklore, like the one St. George slays in a well-known legend.

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• Black dragons are the most evil. They use destructive ways to meet their own needs.

• Red dragons are symbols of terrible storms caused by fighting with one another at night.

• White dragons represent purity and understanding. They are peace-loving dragons that like to help others.

• Chinese dragons are shown as long, scaly and snake-like, with five claws. They are symbols of success

and power in folklore and art.

• Japanese dragons, also known as ryu , are heavily scaled. They are wingless dragons with three claws. They

are associated with large bodies of water, heavens and clouds.

Which of the mythological creatures in this issue are characters in your favorite books or movies? Are they helpful and friendly, or scary and evil?

The Mini Page thanks Aubrey Gaby Miller with the American Museum of Natural History for help with this issue.

“Mythic Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns & Mermaids” is organized by the American Museum of Natural History, New York, in collaboration with The Field Museum, Chicago; Canadian Museum of Civilization, Gatineau-Ottawa; Australian National Maritime Museum, Sydney; and Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta.

release dates: July 24-30 30-5 (10)

(Note to Editor: Above is copy block for Page 3, Issue 30, to be used in place of ad if desired.)


(Note to Editor: Above is the Standards for Issue 30.)

Standards Spotlight: Mythological Animals

Mini Page activities meet many state and national educational standards. Each week we identify standards that relate to The Mini Page’s content and offer activities that will help your students reach them.

This week’s standard:• Students understand how stories and artistic creations influence the

behavior of people living in a particular culture. (Social Studies: Culture) Activities:1. Make a set of mythology trading cards. Draw a picture of a mythological

creature on the front. Write about the creature on the back.2. Use newspaper pictures of mythological creatures to make a poster. Look in

ads for toys, the comics and entertainment sections.3. Select a mythological creature to be a pet for five different people in the

newspaper. Explain your choices.4. Which mythological creatures (a) have wings , (b) are based on real

animals, (c) live in water, and (d) are dangerous to people?5. Design a mythological creature based on a real animal. Write a story about

your creature.(standards by Dr. Sherrye D. Garrett, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi)

®from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick

Supersport: C.J. CostabileHeight: 6-1 Birthdate: 12-4-89 Weight: 180 Hometown: New Fairfield, Conn. Long after he has graduated from Duke University, C.J. Costabile will likely be asked about his magical lacrosse moment. Going into overtime at the NCAA finals, the defender won the

faceoff, snared the ball, sped down an open alley and scored the winning goal to give Duke a dramatic 6-5 victory over Notre Dame and earn the men’s program its first national championship. Several times in the past, the Blue Devils had been frustrated in their Final Four appearances. But not this time. Costabile, a gutsy sophomore, made his great play in a span of about five seconds. It was a storybook finish. And it was ecstasy for Duke and Costabile, who also made third-team All-America. Away from the field, Costabile and his teammates put in many hours of community service. This summer he will take a break from lacrosse to study in Italy for eight weeks.

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by Betty Debnam

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(Note to Editor: Above is camera-ready, one column-by-31/2-inch ad promoting Issue 30.)

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