Chinese New Year for Kids

    Chinese New Year for Kids is a full color paperback book with beautiful Chinese illustrations (插图). This is a hands-on workbook for parents and teachers, written for children from ages 3 to 12 years old, for use in the classroom or at home. Music, physical movement, art, and food all add to the atmosphere of taking an imaginary trip to China during the Chinese New Year.

   The Polar Express

One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise (前提) for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg.

   The Secret of Saying Thanks

Perhaps you'd like to know a secret, one of the happiest ones of all. You'll discover it all on your own, maybe when you least expect. If you've not yet discovered the secret of saying thanks, it's waiting for you. The secret can be found in the sunrise that offers promises for the day ahead, or in the gentle shade of a tree sheltering you from the hot rays of the sun.

   The Runaway Pumpkin

When Buck, Billy and their little sister Lily spy the biggest pumpkin they've ever seen, they can't resist (抵制). Buck and Billy try to roll the pumpkin down the hill to show everyone, but it's too big! Before they know it, it's rolling out of control down the hillside. It knocks over Gran dpa Baxter and makes him think of pumpkin soup. And when Poppa Baxter finally stops, all he can think of is pumpkin bread.

Visiting Joshua Tree National Park, California

    Joshua Tree National Park is nearly 800,000 acres (英亩) large and surrounds parts of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts in South-central California. Although deserted at first sight, the park is full of wildlife and provides a variety of entertainment activities from hiking to climbing. Within a three-hour drive, Joshua Tree National Park takes at least a full day to visit.

Things to do

    Hiking opportunities within the park include several choices, from 12 self-guided nature routines to all-day back-country hikes.

    Joshua Tree NP has nine camping grounds, and back-country camping is also allowed.

    Rock climbing is a popular activity in the park, which has 10 mountains greater than 5, 000 feet in height.

When to visit

    Joshua Tree NP is open 365 days a year, although the best time to visit is October through April, when temperature is milder. The peak season is when the wild flowers bloom, and the summer months are the least crowded.

What to bring

    In addition to your camera and telescope, be sure to carry lots of water. Park and guiding maps can be picked up at any of the three visitor centers.

Fees

    Parking fees: You can buy a seven-day vehicle permit (周票) for $ 15, a single entry permit for $ 5, or Joshua Tree National Park annual (每年的) pass for $ 60.

    Camping fees: They vary by camping ground

    Snowbirds are people who leave their homes when the temperature drops and head to warmer climates. They are mostly retirees(退休人员) and business owners who can afford(付得起) to take the winter off. While the snow flies in the Northern states, they are enjoying golf, sailing and barbecues in mild temperatures in the South. Then, after winter passes, they return to their homes in the North.

    Most snowbirds are away from Canada and the Northern states between the middle of October and the end of November. They pack up and head to Florida, Alabama, Texas, California, and all of the other Southern states. Some may even go as far as Australia or Italy to escape the cold winter weather. There are special communities(社区) for snowbirds in many areas. Snowbirds are also offered special discounts(折扣) in some restaurants, hotels and area attractions. Several states even have special snowbird resorts (度假胜地). There are several online communities and local resources to help snowbirds get set in their seasonal homes.

    Some snowbirds own homes both in the South and in the North. Both homes have everything they will need for their stay, minimizing(最小化) the amount of packing necessary when moving from one to the other. Other snowbirds will rent apartments for their stay outside their home state.

    RVs(房车), are a huge part of the snowbird lifestyle. RVs allow snowbirds to move from place to place on a whim (奇想), bringing everything they need with them. They spend nights in RV parks, large parking lots or anywhere else they choose to stay. RVs have beds, bathrooms, and most other modern conveniences at home. Although the space is small, there is more than enough room for a couple to live in.

Rotnest Hostel Guide

    The Rottnest Island Hostel is a great low budget option for guests visiting The Rottnest Island.

    The hostel has 50 beds (including family rooms and dormitories, a fully equipped kitchen and a lounge with television. Public shower facilities (设施) are available on each floor. Hostel beds are supplied with beddings but guests will need to bring their own towels or hire them by contacting Rottnest Island Reservations at least 48 hours ahead of arrival.

    The hostel family rooms have recently had an upgrade to include a small fridge, wardrobe and shelf storage facility. There is also additional outside seating for those using the public kitchen and BBQ areas.

    Room Cost:

    Family Room: From $80 to $117 depending on season

    Dormitory: From $45 to $53 depending on length of stay

    Buffet Breakfast: 7.00 am- 9.00 am

    Cost: Pre-booked $15 per person ($18.50 walk-in).

    Pre-booked $40 per family of 2 adults & 2 children up to 14yrs ($45 walk-in).

    Buffet Dinner: 5.45 pm- 9.00 pm

    Main Course: Roast Pork or Roast Beef, Curries, Pasta. Vegetarian Stir Fry. Steamed Rice, Salad, Roast Potatoes, Garlic or Cheese Bread

    Dessert: Ice Cream & Fruit Salad

    Drink: Water & Coffee or Tea

    Cost: Pre-booked $25 per person ($30 walk-in).

    Pre-booked $50 per family of 2 adults & 2 children up to 14yrs ($55 walk-in).

    To pre-book your meals, please call RIA Reservations on 9432 911.

    Please Note:

    Public showers are limited to 20 minutes.

    Bookings for the dormitories cannot be made online.

    Alcohol is not permitted within the dorms, hostel and BBQ areas.

    Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was born on May the 14th, 1984. He is the creator of the social media site Facebook. He was a star student at school, winning prizes in astronomy, maths and physics. He was also good at Classical studies. He studied Psychology and Computer Science at Harvard University, which is where he created Facebook. His invention led to his becoming Time magazine's Person Of the Year for 2010.

    Zuckerberg excelled in everything he did in his youth. He was captain of the school fencing team, spoke many languages and was a highly skilled computer programmer. While other kids played computer games, he designed them. He created his first network while in high school to connect all of the computers - in his father's dental surgery. He also built a media player which attracted the interest of Microsoft and AOL.

    Zuckerberg started at Harvard in September 2002. In his first year, he created Facemash, a Facebook predecessor (前身), which let students select the college's best looking people from a selection of photos.

    He launched Facebook from his Harvard room in February 2004. It was the start of a rollercoaster ride that would connect half a billion people worldwide and make him the world's youngest billionaire.

    Mark Zuckerberg is now one of the most influential people on the planet. He has dined with the president of the USA and regularly attends global economic summits and technology conferences. He stated: "The thing I really care about is the mission, making the world open." In 2010, Zuckerberg signed a promise, in which he promised to donate at least half of his life wealth to charity.