In this issue

Sea Monsters: Some stories about mysterious creatures living in the seas are easy to question, but others are true!

Animal Central

From golden frogs to big cats to colorful birds, the national animals of Central America represent the geography and cultures of the region. For a quick sampling of creatures plain and beautiful, common and rare, read on.

3 mins

31 Countries Biosphere

The Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve is located at a spot where El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras converge. A biosphere is the layer of planet Earth where life exists.

2 mins

THE LEGEND OF THE QUETZAL BIRD

A Mayan Tale retold by Pat Betteley illustrated by Amanda Shepherd

4 mins

Semana Santa GUATEMALA'S HOLY WEEK

What if Easter preparations meant dyeing sand, collecting pine needles, and staying up all night to work on an art project that you knew would be ruined the very next day? Well, welcome to Guatemala’s Semana Santa, or Holy Week.

4 mins

ME OH-MAYA!

The Maya are groups of people who live in parts of Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. Their ancestors created a great society. At its peak, from 600-900 C.E., the Maya civilization was more advanced than its neighbors in the Americas.

3 mins

Playing Games Honduras-style

Would you play the same games in Honduras that you do in the United States? You might. Children in Honduras enjoy many of the same games North Americans do. They go fishing and shoot baskets. They play sandlot baseball—called bate (BAH tay). They fly kites and ride bikes. Their parents may go horseback riding or play golf or tennis.

3 mins

LIVING A LONG LIFE IN THE Blue Zone

Most people would like to live as long a life as possible. No one really knows why some people live longer than others, but did you know that where you live can play a big part in how many years you’ll be alive? If you live in a Blue Zone, chances are that you will live much longer than people in other parts of the world.

2 mins

ATTENTION WORLD: Belize Saves Their Coral Reef

Sea turtles float in clear waters, colorful corals hug the ocean floor, and aquatic animals glide among the mangrove roots. Welcome to the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, the second-largest coral reef in the world (Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is number one). Several years ago, this reef was in crisis, heading toward destruction. But the people of Belize fought back to save their reef’s health.

3 mins

The Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a 51-mile long canal that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

2 mins

This is Central America!

It’s time to visit Central America. But first, it helps to know exactly where Central America is. Despite its name, it is the southernmost part of North America, which can seem a little confusing. It makes up most of the isthmus dividing the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. An isthmus is a narrow strip of land that connects two larger landmasses and has water on both sides.

4 mins

Living Above The Boiling Earth

You know immediately that something strange is going on in the city of Rotorua.

3 mins

Fuzzy Fruit

If you travel to Te Puke (teh POOK-ee), a town on the northern coast of New Zealand, you will see strange orchards. Instead of rows of trees, these orchards have rows of short wooden frames called pergolas, on which twining vines grow. The fuzzy, brown fruit that grows on these vines is the reason Te Puke calls itself the Kiwifruit Capital of the World.

3 mins

New Zealand – High Five

Located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is known for its stunning landscapes. New Zealanders are passionate about protecting their land and their culture. Here are five fascinating facts to get you started.

1 min

Three Birds OF NEW ZEALAND

Before humans settled in New Zealand, the lush native plants fed an incredible variety of birds. As bird species developed through time, some did not need wings because they had no natural predators. Here are three bird stars that you won’t find in the sky—the kiwi, the weka, and the little blue penguin.

2 mins

The First Trip to New Zealand

A group of people in long wooden canoes set sail from East Polynesia in the Pacific Ocean about 800 years ago. For days, they voyaged southwest. Strong currents and gusts of winds pounded them. Still, they pushed on.

3 mins

THE ALL BLACKS

UNLOCKING THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS

3 mins

SEARCHING for HEROES

These are three stories of discovery from New Zealand.

4 mins

The Island of Birds

Imagine an island untouched by humans and without any large mammals. Colorful and strange birds of all shapes and sizes swoop over lush forests and seaside hills.

3 mins

RUNNING OF THE SHEEP

Lots of people have heard of the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, but did you know that in New Zealand, there is an annual running of the sheep? The Te Kuiti Shearing Championships Running of the Sheep is held in late March or early April. The Saturday afternoon event is part of the Great New Zealand Muster.

1 min

NEW ZEALAND: Land of the Hobbits… and So Much More

You might think that you don’t know very much about New Zealand, but chances are that you have seen it.

3 mins

Nelson Mandela – A Dream Come True

People came out in the millions simply to vote

1 min

THE TOP SEVEN ANIMALS THAT VOTE

Would it surprise you to find out that animals hold elections? That’s right—there are democracies in the animal kingdom, too. Read on to find out about seven species that “vote” to make group decisions.

2 mins

VOTING DAY around the World

When it comes to elections in the United States, it’s pretty certain that most people will be voting on a Tuesday. The custom of voting on a Tuesday in November was established when many Americans were farmers. By November, the growing and harvesting seasons were over making it easier for farmers to leave their work and go vote.

2 mins

Old Enough to Vote?

Nelson Mandela, the man who brought democracy to South Africa in 1994, thought everyone over the age of 14 should be allowed to vote. He said young people who had fought for freedom were old enough to help choose the country’s leaders. His bill was defeated, and the voting age was set at 18. That is the same age set in the United States and most other countries. Is this the right age? How do people decide when someone is old enough to vote?

2 mins

THE Final King OF Angkor Wat

Stories

4 mins

VOTE! From Marbles to Machines

People have dropped marbles into baskets, drawn Xs by names, colored in dots, and pulled levers to elect their leaders during the past 2,000 years. Early voters used simple, inexpensive objects to cast their votes. The ancient Greeks, the first known voters, placed black-and-white pebbles into pots. Roman soldiers tossed small clay balls into their helmets. Early colonists in the Americas used colored beans and kernels of corn. Today’s election traditions and terms have ancient roots. Voters now often mark ballots, or pieces of paper, to cast their votes. The term comes from the Italian word ballotta meaning “little ball.”

6 mins

Understand Your Rights

Talk with your parents and other adults about what these rights mean.

1 min

The Carter Center: TRAVELING THE WORLD ONE ELECTION AT A TIME

When President Jimmy Carter left the White House in 1981, his career as a public servant was far from over.

4 mins

ELECTIONS IN INDIA

The United States had 200 million registered voters in 2016. That’s a lot of voters, and it takes a lot of organization to set up the election process. Now imagine a country that needs to organize about 900 million voters every time it holds an election. Welcome to India.

3 mins

DEMONSTRATIONS & DEMOCRACY

After six months of demonstrations, blocked streets, and tear gas, Hongkongers peacefully voted in District Council elections on November 24, 2019. Voters—especially young people—wanted to show the leader of Hong Kong’s government, Chief Executive Carrie Lam, how they felt about her handling of the demonstrations.

3 mins

Read all stories from Faces - The Magazine of People, Places and Cultures for Kids

Faces - The Magazine of People, Places and Cultures for Kids Description:

Embark on a fascinating journey around the globe with Faces - The Magazine of People, Places, and Cultures for Kids. We're delighted to introduce you to this captivating publication that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for learning about the diverse cultures that make up our world.

Faces is not just a magazine; it's an educational adventure designed to engage young minds and broaden their understanding of people, places, and cultures.

Published by Cricket Media, Faces is crafted specifically for young readers, offering a unique blend of vibrant storytelling, stunning visuals, and interactive features. As your young readers explore the pages of Faces, they'll encounter a variety of features designed to make learning about the world an exciting adventure:

* Cultural Insights: Engaging narratives that explore the traditions, customs, and daily lives of people from different corners of the globe.

* Geographical Discoveries: Learn about fascinating places, landmarks, and geographical features that define our planet.

* Interactive Activities: Fun and educational activities that reinforce cultural concepts and encourage active learning.

* Visual Explorations: Rich visuals, including photographs, illustrations, and maps, that bring the stories and cultures to life.

* Global Connections: Understand the interconnectedness of our world and appreciate the similarities and differences that make each culture unique.


Faces - The Magazine of People, Places, and Cultures for Kids is the perfect gateway for young explorers eager to understand the rich tapestry of our world. Subscribe nowr and watch as your child's curiosity and appreciation for diverse cultures flourish. Explore, learn, and connect with Faces Magazine for Kids.