One of the greatest mysteries on Earth is the statues which stand on Easter Island. Easter Island, which was almost uninhabited when it was discovered on Easter Day in 1722 by a Dutch captain, is the most distant island in the world covered with hundreds of giant statues, each weighing several tons and some standing more than 30 feet tall.
    Who built these statues and why and how did they get there? Nobody knows the answer for sure.
    One theory suggests that Easter Island was first inhabited by Polynesians, who traveled thousands of miles in their canoes（独木舟）in 400 A.D. However, the ocean currents（洋流）which carried them there would not take them back, so that they could not leave.
    The statues appear to have been made out of the top edge of the walls of a volcano on the island. Then, it may have been rolled or dragged down to the foot of the volcano(火山). Then, it was stood upright（直立）and ropes were tied around it, which was made to act as a pulley（滑轮）. Over a period of months, a statue could be walked for miles down to the ocean. Finally, it was placed in line with other statues, all of them looking towards the center of the island.
    This process was difficult. If a statue fell over, it was too heavy to be pulled upright again, so the islanders went back and carved another statue.
    The population of Easter Island must have reached 11,000. Later, the resources of the island were used up and people began fighting and eating each other. Work on the statues stopped and the statues were knocked over. When the first Europeans finally arrived on the island, most of these people had died out.

     As the years go by, the Italian community has found its place in Australia. One of the main reasons is the birth of a second generation(代). The children of migrants(移民) have grown up as Australians.

    Lucy's family is an example.

    Lucy's parents came from Italy in the1950s. Lucy was born in Sydney soon after her parents arrived in Australia. Lucy's parents were both workers. They spoke Italian at home. When Lucy went to school she had to learn English. Her mum and dad could speak just a little English. Athome it was always Italian. When she got a bit older, her mum and dad would askher to help them out when they didn't understand something in English.

    When she was growing up, her parentsdidn't allow her to do as much as her Australian friends. Her friends didn't understand why she couldn't go out and do things with them, or why she alwaysdid what her parents wanted! Lucy's parents spent a lot of time with otherItalians, mainly because it was much easier for them to communicate in Italian. Because of this, she spent more time with kids from Italian background.

     Things have changed since Lucy had children of her own. Lucy is not as strict as her parents were, so her own kids have more freedom(自由). They can move between the different cultures and feel easier in both cultures. They haven't had so many problems about their identities(身份). They see themselves as Australians with an Italian background and they're proud of their traditions.

    What did you do on April 23 , World Book Day ? Did you find any interesting books ? Here is a book list from China's GAPP（中国新闻出版总署）.

    An official media outlet has, for the first time, published a cartoon of President Xi Jinping, with graphic details of his engagements over the past months. Cartoons can make politicians seem more friendly, says Tao Duanfang in an article for The Beijing News.

    Cartoons can leave a deep impression about a character in the minds of readers. Presidential campaign teams in countries like the US, Canada and Japan have a tradition of crafting products in the shape of politicians' caricatures.

    Tao points out that caricatures of politicians have become part of pop culture in many countries, with their purposes ranging from publicity to commercial use. Cartoons and caricatures can be used to criticize or ridicule political leaders, too. Besides, they can also help politicians introduce their political views.

    Tao says that cartoons and caricatures can bring politicians closer to the people and demonstrate the spirit of an inclusive and lively political climate, which is conducive (有利于) to social progress.

    The idea of an Olympic mascot was officially approved (官方批准) at the 73rd Session of the International Olympic Committee (国际奥委会) in Munich (慕尼黑) in 1972. Since then, mascots have become a major element (元素) of the Olympic brand. Mascots act as a vehicle for communicating the Olympic spirit to the general public, especially children and youth. They have come in many shapes and sizes. They all show the theme (主题) of the Olympic Games and the special geographical features, history and culture of the host city.

    Here is the list of some mascots for the Olympics.

    Green is an important color in nature. It is the color of grass and the leaves on trees. It is also the color of most growing plants.

    Sometimes, the word "green" means young, fresh and growing. For example, a greenhorn is someone who has no experience. In the 15th century, a greenhorn was a young cow or an ox whose horns(角) had not yet developed. A century later, a greenhorn was a soldier who had no experience in war. By the 18th century, a greenhorn had the meaning it has today—a person who is new in a job.

    Someone who is good at growing plants is said to have a green thumb(大拇指). The expression comes from the early 20th century. A person with a green thumb can make plants grow quickly and well. The Green Revolution (绿色革命) is the name given some years ago to the development of new kinds of rice and other grains. It was the result of hard work by agricultural scientists who had green thumbs.

    Green is also the color used to describe the powerful feeling—jealousy(嫉妒). The green eyed monster is not a dangerous animal from outer space. It is an expression used about 400 years ago by the British writer William Shakespeare in his play Othello. It describes the unpleasant feeling when someone has something he wants.

    In most places in the world, a green light is a signal(信号) to move ahead. In everyday speech, a green light means approval(赞成) to continue with a project.