Release Date: May 28-June 3
-
Especially
22-1 (94)
and
for
families
their
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© 1994 by Universal Press Syndicate
By BETIY DEBNAM
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam ® 1994 Universal Press Syndicate
A Hot Author for Summer Reading
WhooooooOO'S R.L. Stine?
Many kids already know. In
fact, his readers have made him
one of the top-selling authors in
the country.
In March, he appeared at a
book signing in his hometown of
Columbus, Ohio. More than 1,000
kids showed up. He signed books
for five hours!
"I caused my first traffic jam,"
the surprised author told us.
Family: His wife, Jane, is in the
In his spare
time, R.L. Stine
enjoys reading
funny English
novels,
watching old
movies and
doing things
with his son,
Matt. He also
spends time
answering 600
fan letters a
week!
Getting started
Bob Stine (nobody calls him
R.L.) knew he wanted to be a
writer at age 9. He has always
written for kids, ever since he
graduated from Ohio State
University and headed for New
York.
"I have never written one word
for adults," he told us.
At one time, he wrote and edited
a kids' humor magazine.
"I bet you can write funny
children's books," a book editor
told him. He started writing in the
1970s under the name of Jovial
Bob Stine.
Scary books
To date, R.L. Stine has written
more than 200 books. His big hits,
though, are not his funny books,
but his scary books - his horror
books.
Five years ago he started a
thriller series for older readers
called "Fear Street." The
"One Day at
Horrorland" is one
of 19 books in the
"Goosebumps"
series. He has
signed a contract
to write one a
month for the next
three years.
!
)
E
I
~o:
_
§
~
characters in these books are
about 15 years old.
Two years ago he started the
"Goosebumps" series for younger
readers. Those are his really BIG
hits.
"Goosebumps" books are about
kids who are around 12 years old.
The author calls these books
"fantasies." Nobody ever dies in
"Goosebumps" books. However,
they are scary ... and many kids
like to be scared.
In solving the mystery of R.L.
Stine, we discovered the following:
publishing business. She is also the
editor of his series for older readers.
His son, Matt, 13, is in the eighth
grade. From Matt, Bob gets his ideas
about what interests kids, what they
wear and talk about. He gets the
names for his book characters from
Matt's school directory.
Studio: A room in his apartment
serves as his studio. A skeleton and
a tribal mask hang on the wall.
(Sounds scary!) .
Daily schedule: He often works
from 9 in the morning to about 4:30
six days a week, with about 15
minutes for lunch. He also takes time
off, about one week every month.
Writing steps: First he comes up
with a title. Then he figures out
what big surprise will come at the
end. Then he does a chapter-bychapter outline. This takes a few
days.
He then spends about 10 days to
two weeks writing the book. He
turns out two scary books a month,
one for older readers and one for
younger readers.
Advice to kids who want to be
writers: "Read as much as you can.
Read as many different writers as
you can. Soak up the styles. You can
learn all kinds of ways to say things."
Sounds like good summer reading
advice, too!
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
22-2 (94)
Release Date: May 28-June 3
from The Mini Pege by Betty Debnam C 1994 Universal P ..... Syndicate
Pir.~J:.,S 1F(lJJ~
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~~~
Help Alpha Mouse find his book.
He wants to read at the beach.
Fit the names of these signs of summer into the puzzle.
ACROSS:
1
°0
40m
2
1
3
4
DOWN:
2.
.. :~::.;\"' > '::
5~
;
..:..... ::'...
,
.'
.
6'111
~
~--
~ Rookie Cookie's Recipe
Meet Dolly Parton
Yummy Yogurt
Since having her first No.1 record
in 1973, Dolly Parton has been one of
the most popular singers around.
She has won many awards,
including several Grammys .
She is also an actress, and was
nominated for an acting award in
1980.
She writes songs, including Whitney
Houston's hit, "I Will Always Love You."
Dolly grew up in Sevierville, Tenn.,
with 11 brothers and sisters. As a child, she liked to write
songs, read, and dream of becoming a star.
The day after she graduated from high school in 1964,
she moved to Nashville to start a singing career.
Thirty years later, she is still singing!
You'll need:
• 1 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 1 banana, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon nuts, chopped
What to do:
1. Combine yogurt and cinnamon in a medium
bowl. Mix well.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients.
Serves 2.
from The Mini P.ge by Betty Debnam C 1994 Unlv.... I.P ..... Syndicate
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam C 1994 Unlve...1P..... Syndicate
~~~~~~~ ;~n.
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BettyADebn8mOC
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FIND
Words that remind us of things to read are hidden in the block
below. Some words are hidden backward. See if you can find:
BOOK, NEWSPAPER, COMICS, POEM, HISTORY,
FICTION, BIOGRAPHY, RECIPE, PAPER, MAGAZINE,
SCORE, REVIEW, STORY, ADS, SIGN, LETTER,
PAMPHLET, MAP, INDEX, GEOGRAPHY.
YHPARGOI BBOOKFG
REP A P S WEN H L SRI
MAG A Z
E
I N E A I E C E C 0
TEL H P MAP CST 0 V T G
BPAMGLQSOTTRI
I R
C Y ROT S H M MOE E E 0 A
M E 0 P Q ADS
I R R N W N P
REP APE J 0 C Y S I G N H
E PIC E R F K S XED N I Y
-n."Mi;i'*spy ... ~
Mini Spy is enjoying some summer free time with a good
book. See if you can find:
- fish
- word MINI
- owl
-letter X
- shark
- banana
- bird
- bell
- frog
-lips
- number 7
-letter A
L..-._ _ _~_ _ _..L..L..:...!.......:.~_ _ _
cat
---I
-
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
22-3 (94)
Release Date: May 28-June 3
Bus'y, busy, busy ...
Here's a :Mini Page poster to hang in your
room or on your refrigerator door. Every time
you do one of these activities, circle the date.
Then color in or check a block in the graph.
~iCFJ/
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SM T W T F S
S MT WT F S
S MT WT F S
1 2 3 4
567891011
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
1 2
789
14 15 16
21 22 23
28 29 30
3
10
17
24
31
Read a newspaper
Put on a play
Read a book
Exercise
Write a letter
Visit a library
Write in a journal
Figure out some math
Make a list
Make a meal
Other
Other
Your Newspaper, a 32-page illustrated booklet from The Mini Page, makes learning about
the newspaper a lot of fun. The booklet discusses newspaper history and vocabulary, and
takes a behind-the-scenes look at a typical newspaper story. Fun-t&do activities and puzzles
accompany all text. 'lb order, send check or money order for $1.50 plus 75 cents postage and
handling per copy, payable to Andrews and McMeel, P.O. Box 419242, Kansas City, Mo. 64141.
©
4
11
18
25
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
7
14
21
28
1
8
15
22
29
234
9 10 11
16 17 18
23 24 25
30 31
5
12
19
26
6
13
20
27
~~~fiffi1fi JJ@Ik®~
WHY'" THE
FOOTBALL TEAM
HURRY TO THE
TELEPHONE?
(sent in by Eugene Harris)
Q: Which spider wrote a dictionary?
A: Webster!
Q: How do you keep a bug from getting
cold?
A: Use ant-ifreeze!
(sent in by Dana Marie Harler)
from The Mini "-lIe by Betty Debn8m C 19114 UnIverMI ..... SyndIc8ie
Rookie Cookie Cookbook
Everyday Recipes for Kid=s~_~~:::-::;:-~::I
Rookie Cookie takes young readers step by
1!f:"'I·;ii I:"'~~
;' "4.
"
step through the cooking process - from
~t·-. M l'
gathering and measuring the ingredients
li' De
-.- -- ,- _
"",1.11,
1M
to preparing and serving the their
creations. This wonderful collection of
recipes for kids is perfect for rainy-day
activities, classroom use, and encouraging
little helpers to read and follow instructions
- with delicious results!
To order the Rookies Cookie Cookbook, send
$7.95 plus $1 postage and handling for each
book. Send only checks or money orders
payable to Andrews and McMeel, P.O. Box
419242, Kansas City, Mo, 64141.
Please send me _ _ copies of Rookie
Cookie Cookbook. I've enclosed $ _ __
Name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
-.
.
Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
City _ _ _ _ State _ _ Zip _ __
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
22-4(94)
Release Date: May 28-June 3
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam <C> 1994 Universal Press Syndicate
Get a Kick Out of Summer Reading
Keep ecore of how well you do.
Put your MI11e ~.
-----------------------------------FICTION
NONFICTION
RECORI THE MINI PAIEI
YOU REAl HERE.
,-----------,IIL.. --_------'
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tAYTH
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1 /7./,!jt/!r~~/ff;~
Reading newspapers is a good way to keep
up all your skills.
Reading is a lot like soccer, or any
sport. Th get really good, you have to
practice.
The more you do it, the better you get
- and the more fun it is.
Here's a chart to hang up in your room.
Make a mark each time you read a book
or Mini Page or newspaper o::~e.
II
I
L.. --__------' L.. --__------' I~
o~f4NJ? H~.ftQ
"Sr ~.
. ~-:.. {1~
cr· . ~- ; .
'1"
~
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L..-------,I L.. - I_------'
OTHER
~
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LIST. TOO
Reading is something you can get a
kick out of and enjoy anytime.
Keep up your reading skills so you
will be on the ball when school starts
next fall. Impress your new teacher.
Show her your chsut! She or he will get a
kick out of your summer reading, too!
The Mini Page thanks Joyce K Dixon, Young
People's Library Coordinator, Las Vegas-Clark County
(Nev.) Library District.
Next week, read all about the
World Cup and the teams
~
coming to play in the world's .
biggest sporting event.
OTHER
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
Release Date: May 28.June 3
Meet writer
R.L. Stine
'
ihf~§j
© 1994 by Universal Press Syndicate
22-5 (94)
"i~
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~ Gus
Teacher's
Guide
Supersport: Jack McDowell
For use by teachers and parents at home and at school.
For use with issue: Summer Reading
ill
'ib(~~!M
by Betty Debnam
Appearing in your
newspaper on _ _ __
Main idea: This issue is about summer reading. The following is a list of activities
to be used with this issue. They are listed in order of difficulty. Ask the children to
do the following:
1. Look through the pictures in your newspaper for one that might make a good
story idea.
2. Tell a friend a story, then write and illustrate it.
3. Have class members make a list of the number of books they read all
summer. Give a prize to the one who reads the most.
4. Keep a reading journal. Write down everything you read and what you liked
or did not like about it.
5. Discuss the following: What do you like best about being able to read? What
would your life be like if you couldn't read? What can you do to help younger
children learn to read?
6. What is the best book you ever read? Who is your favorite author and what do
you like about him or her? If you were to interview your favorite author, what
would you ask?
7. Organize your books at home into the different categories from this issue
(science fiction, jokes, etc.)
8. Look through your newspaper for an article that might make a good story.
from The Mini Page by Betty Debnam
e 1994 UnivenW Press Syndicale
(Note to Editor: Above is
camera-ready, one columnby-4lf4-inch ad promoting
Issue 22.
'"
(Note to Editor: Above is the Teacher's Guide for Issue 22.)
GoodSport's-;:':
Height: 6-5 Birthdate: 1·16-66
Weight: 188 College: Stanford University
~
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Jack McDowell of the Chicago White Sox
was the 1993 winner of the American League
Cy Young Award given to the league's best
pitcher. He played in his third All-Star game.
He joined the White Sox in 1987 after he
was their first-round draft pick. Last year he
helped the team get to the league
championship series. He led the league with
22 wins and 4 shutouts. His ERA was 3.37.
In 1991 he led the league with 15 complete games and in 1992 with
13 complete games.
In college, Jack led Stanford's team to the College World Series title.
Jack was born in Van Nuys, Calif., and now lives in Chicago with
his wife.
(Note to Editor: Above is copy block for Page 3, Issue 22, to be used
in place of ad if desired.)
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.