The Owl Count

    Annie slept in the front of the seat with her father drovethrough the darkness. “We're almost there!” Dad announced cheerfully. “Soon we'll be observing and counting owls at the state park.” Yawning, Annie noddedand smiled. The time was 4:30 a.m. Looking out into the darkness, Annie remembered learning in school that most owls are active at night, when they hunt for food. During the day they sleep in hard-to-find spots.

    “Dad, why do you need to count owls?” she asked. “It's importantfor the scientists to have current information about bird populations,” he explained. “We want to know which birds have decreased in number and whether any new kinds of birds are coming into a certain area. You and I will write down the kinds of birds that we see today and keep a record of how many times we see each kind. Then we'll send out a report to a scientific organization that is collecting about birds from people all over the country.”

    Dad pulled into the parking lot of the state park. Then, with flashing in hand, they began their hike into the woods. Annie zipped up hercoat and tried to keep from trembling. She had not expected the morning to beso cold. Luckily her gloves were in her pocket.

    Suddenly Annie's father stopped and gestured for her to bestill. Obeying, Annie did not take another step. She thought she heard a low crying up head. “That's certainly a screech owl,” her father whispered. “Let's get a look at it.” After looking more closely, Annie could see that it was asmall owl. Sensing danger, the owl narrowed its eyes and pulled its feathers tightly against its body. Annie carefully wrote down in her notebook that theyhad seen a screech owl.

    Walking a little farther, they came to a tall oak tree. “Thislooks like a perfect spot to attract owls,” Dad said, “I'm going to play a recording of common call of the barred owl. Maybe we can get one to answer." Annie could hardly believe her ear. The recorded call sounded as if the birdwere asking, “Who cooks for you?” Moments later Annie thought she heard areturn call in the distance. She held her breath and waited. Suddenly a huge bird landed very quietly on a branch above them.

    Annie had long forgotten how cold it was. She stood in wonder, shining her flashlight on the bird and studying it carefully. The barred owl was nearly two feet tall. Grey feathers surrounded its dark eyes. The bird did not stay long, but it did not matter. Annie would never forget the image of the powerful barred owl.

Dear Friend ,

    The recent success of children's books has made the general public aware that there's a huge market out there .And there's a growing need for new writers trained to create the $3 billion worth of children's books bought each year … plus stories and articles needed by over 650 publishers of magazines for children and teenagers .Who are these needed writers ? They're ordinary folks like you and me .But am I good enough ?

    I was once where you might be now . My thoughts of writing had been pushed down by self-doubt , and I didn't know where to turn for help .

    Then , I accepted a free offer from the Institute to test my writing ability , and it turned out to be the inspiration I needed .

    The promise that paid off

    The Institute made the same promise to me that they will make to you , if you show basic writing ability :

    You will complete at least one manuscript（手稿）suitable to hand in to a publisher by the time you finish our course .

    I really didn't expect any publication before I finished the course , but that happened . I sold three stories . And I soon discovered that was not unusual at the Institute .

    Since graduation , I have authored 34 nationally published children's books and over 300 stories and articles .

    Free test and brochure

    We offer a free ability test and will send you a copy of our brochure（小册子）describing our recognized home-study courses on the basis of one-on-one training .Realize your writing dream today . There's nothing sadder than a dream delayed until it fades forever .

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Institute of Children's Literature

    Lagoon Bar, Iceland

    Blue Lagoon in Iceland is truly the place where you can get rid of all troubles. Here the warmth of hot springs gets you close to nature. A wonderful bar is opened among the hot springs. While you're sitting in the hot water, waitresses bring you a range of cocktails.

    What to order: cocktail “Blue Lagoon” and white wine.

    Baobab Tree Bar Wine Cellar, South Africa

    In the hollow (洞) of a huge 6,000-year-old baobab tree you can not only drink a cocktail, but also rest from the heat of Limpopo Province. Once this safe heaven was known only to the Bushmen, but now this ancient tree is the tourist destination for all kinds of tourists.

    What to order: anything in a glass.

    The Birdsville Hotel and Pub, Australia

    At the edge of the Simpson Desert, among the sand dunes (沙丘), which are the favorite spot for the mice, there is a hotel and a pub. The walls of this bar are decorated with old hats and posters of beer, the oldest of which dates from 1884. Most visitors of this building are the amateurs of racing. They come to this village for the September competition. However, the pub is not empty also on other months: the airstrip (飞机跑道) is located nearby, so those who get off the plane are going to have a glass or two of beer first.

    What to order: a pint of beer.

    Floyd's Pelican Bar, Jamaica

    It appears that these huge palm leaves and trunks fell into the ocean long time ago. They floated on the waves and then piled up year by year, sticking out of the ocean. That's probably how the Pelican Bar, located about a mile from the southwest coast of Jamaica, is built on. Some of its visitors have no room to be fitted inside the bar, and they just drink standing in waist-deep water.

    What to order: cocktail “Pelican Perfection”.

    （I）It was a surprising announcement: SpaceX, a private company（私人公司）, said it would fly two people to the moon next year (2019). This has not been attempted since NASA's Apollo moon landings about 45 years ago. In the news conference, Elon Musk. SpaceX founder said two people have already paid SpaceX a “wonderful” amount of money to send them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon.

    （II）Exercise reduces the risks of dying from all causes, including cancer and heart disease. But many people who work all week have little time for exercise. They try to take exercise or do chores to increase their heart rates over the weekend. A new study suggests that it is healthy to do that, which can reduce their risk of cancer and cardiovascular（心血管疾病）disease.

    （III）Scientists in London have found a possible way to solve the problem of plastic bottle waste. They have made a water bottle you can eat. The product is called Ooho, made of seaweed, a plant that grows in the ocean. Oohos are tasteless and look like bubbles or balls. They can hold water or any other liquid（液体）inside. When people drink Oohos, the outside bursts in the mouth and can be eaten. Even if you throw it away, it will degrade in about four weeks. It is good for the environment.

    I first began experiencing anxiety and depression at the age of 14, after being bullied (欺凌) at school for years. While at first anxiety and depression would come and go, it eventually became a constant part of my life.

    I was so eager to find the solution to overcoming my anxiety and depression that I tried everything from when I was in college to graduate school: mood-changing medication, special teas, yoga, anything I read about in books, and advice given by doctors. Despite this, I still felt I hadn't even come close to managing the problem.

    But one afternoon, my eyes fell upon an article in a magazine I was reading that talked about how dogs were able to help people with anxiety and depression. The very next day, I decided to get a dog—a corgi. When I brought my little corgi, Buddy, home. I didn't realize how much he would change my life. It didn't happen right away, however.

    Once the “puppy excitement” went away, my anxiety and depression came back as usual. One morning, I woke up with those familiar feeling again. I didn't want to get out of bed. I turned to pull the covers back over my head and give up. That's when I saw Buddy.

    Buddy started jumping all over me, licking my face, letting me know that it was time to go outside. It was as if he were saying, “There's no time to be sad; the world is amazing!” And for the first time in my life, my life was changing. I really was a new person. This was my new beginning.

    It's been more than a year since that day, and I've never spent another morning unable to get out of bed. I've not cried myself to sleep or spent my days stuck with fear and regret. Sure, I still have days when I feel sad or anxious. But with Buddy, my best friend, by my side, I've finally learned how to manage these feelings and emotions.

    During an earthquake, you should know what to do. If the earthquake strikes while you're inside a house, you should lie on the floor under a strong table or other furniture. If there is no furniture, you can cover your head with your arms and keep still in the corner of the room. You should keep away from windows, glass walls, or anything that can fall.

    If you are in bed, hold firmly onto your bed and make use of a pillow to safeguard your head. You may use a doorway but only when it is close to you. It should also be considered whether it is strong enough to deal with the load.

    If you are running out, do not use lifts, even if they work. Electricity may go out at any time. Many injuries happen when people try to rush out. This means you ought to stay in your house or perhaps wherever you are.

    When you stay outdoors, you should stay far from buildings, power wires or lights. You should be in the open until the quake stops. Remember that many earthquake deaths outside the house come from falling-apart walls, flying glass and other falling things.

    If an earthquake strikes and you are driving, you should pull up to the side of the highway and stop as quickly as possible. You ought not to stop under trees, buildings or energy wires. Don't stop in the middle of the street as it could trouble others.

    When trapped, you shouldn't move. Your mouth should be covered with a piece of clothing or a handkerchief. This is because it is possible for you to breathe in some dust. Do not shout whenever possible. You should only shout in the end to get help from rescuers.