Pond, Tomb of Rekhmire, approximately 3,300 years ago, Egypt. A note from William Rubel Last week, editor Emma Wood wrote about a painting by “outsider” artist Morris Hirshfield. If you missed that newsletter, please read it here. Emma wrote about the artist’s evocative and yet not exactly realistic way of depicting scenes. Keeping with this theme, this week I would like to offer you this painting of a pond with people and trees that was painted on a wall in Egypt 3,300 years ago. What I want to remark on is the way in which the space is depicted—specifically, the trees that are painted around the rectangular pond likes spokes around the center of a wheel. This way of depicting trees around a pond has a very strong meaning for me. When I was in sixth grade, in 1963, I painted a pond with the trees organized just like this. I will never ever forget what my teacher said. She said that this was wrong. That the bottom trees should be upright, not “upside down.” And she laughed! I was so upset. That pond had meant a great deal to me. I had just moved to Los Angles from Washington, DC, and it was spring. I missed going with my mother to the see the cherry trees blooming around the tidal basin by the Washington Monument. When the teacher said that the trees should be upright, I remember thinking, “But the leaves will get wet!” I vowed at that time to never paint a painting again. And, somehow, I managed not to until I was in college, when I took an art class. This terrible memory of being bullied by a teacher into depicting a memory the way she wanted me to, and not the way I imagined it, was actually one of my inspirations for starting Stone Soup in 1972—just 10 years after my terrible sixth-grade experience. So, please, all of you—whether you write or draw or compose music or dance or whatever else you may do to record what and how you see and feel—follow your personal star! I will also point out that by depicting the trees surrounding the pond in the way this ancient Egyptian artist did, we can see the people in the pond and exactly how the garden around the pond was landscaped. Notice how very clearly you can make out the different kinds of trees around the pond—in other words, this “unrealistic” way of representing the space actually gives us more information that a more “realistic” painting would. As Emma said last week, “I hope this painting will inspire you to create something similarly strange, striking, and beautiful.” Until next week, Highlights from the past week online Don’t miss the latest content from our Book Reviewers and Young Bloggers at Stonesoup.com! On Tuesday, we posted Lucinda’s second installment in her series 103 Elements and their Interesting Facts. Want to know which element makes up the majority of the yellow surface of Io, one of Jupiter’s moons? Or how about what foods have potassium or iron? Read the post to find out! (Plus, read the first post here.) Have you ever chosen to do something because you wanted to, even though it wasn’t very popular among your peers? Maya describes her experience of magnet-making in the library, and how even though she had reservations about doing something by herself instead of choosing a more popular activity, she enjoyed herself (and it turned out one of her friends did show up!). Canon PowerShot Sx600 From Stone Soup January 2020 A World Without Color By Elyse Bambrough, 7 (Bristol, UK) Art: Eternal Hourglass by Sage Millen, 11 (Vancouver, BC) Dear Diary, I woke up again yesterday and saw the hammering rain pouring harshly down on my small little house. It was the worst sight I had seen in years! It was quite a boring sight, though I’m used to it, so I wasn’t that surprised. I had another amazing dream. I dreamt that I was in a forest with tropical trees and exotic flowers. There was spikey grass and even tigers! I guess it didn’t come true. I had to try to tidy the rubbish by sifting and sorting, burning and burying, but it didn’t work. However, while I was sorting the rubbish, something caught my eye. It was a tiny tin flower! Suddenly an idea planted itself in my head. The idea sprouted and grew roots. Day after day, the idea got bigger. While I was feeding on the rubbish, a forest emerged under my hand. It was not the forest of my dreams, but it was a forest just the same. In the forest, there were tigers, toucans, tree frogs, and even butterflies! I was still a bit disappointed because it was a very dull forest with no color at all. As I walked through the forest, my heart was aching with emptiness. Listen to a recording of the author reading her story, see the artwork in more detail (and read more from the January issue) on the website here. Stone Soup is published by Children’s Art Foundation-Stone Soup Inc., a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit organization registered in the United States of America, EIN: 23-7317498. Stone Soup’s Advisors: Abby Austin, Mike Axelrod, Annabelle Baird, Jem Burch, Evelyn Chen, Juliet Fraser, Zoe Hall, Montanna Harling, Alicia & Joe Havilland, Lara Katz, Rebecca Kilroy, Christine Leishman, Julie Minnis, Jessica Opolko, Tara Prakash, Denise Prata, Logan Roberts, Emily Tarco, Rebecca Ramos Velasquez, Susan Wilky.
Stone Soup Magazine for young readers, writers, and artists
Magnet Making
At the sound of the bell, I hurried out of class. I knew where I wanted to go, yet I hesitated remembering my conversation with my mom that morning. “Are you going to Chemistry Club during your free period?” she asked. “Maybe” I replied unenthusiastically. “There is also a craft in the library to make magnets with banned book quotes. I might go to that….” There was silence. “I can always go to Chemistry Club next week.” I added. Mom frowned. “Chemistry Club is a great opportunity, Maya.” She told me. “None of my friends will go.” I complained. “That doesn’t matter.” she said. “You should do what interests you, regardless of everyone else.” I didn’t reply. “You don’t know if your friends are going to magnet making either.” Mom pointed out. “Magnet making is fun even if I go alone.” I mumbled. Mom sighed. “Well, if I were you, I’d go to chemistry club, but you should do whatever you want” she ended the conversation. I knew what that meant… but I headed for the library. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m not interested in Chemistry Club. I am, and on a normal Friday, I’d be more then happy to go. It’s just that when I have the opportunity to go to a craft, it’s crystal clear to me that I should take it. That week I already went to Math Club, Investment Club, and Model UN. This was my chance. I couldn’t wait. I love crafts, decorating, and all the magnets we have on our fridge. What could be better then making magnets to decorate my locker? The library was packed when I got there. Students crowded around the tables, laughing and talking. I smiled. I hoped I hadn’t arrived too late. Had everyone already gotten started? I quickly walked in. But suddenly, I noticed something. One table was empty. And, that table was the only one with magnets, paper, and bottles of glue. Then I noticed that the students in the library had books in front of them. They were studying. There was no one else there to make magnets. I wasn’t sure what to do. Chemistry club was still happening upstairs. I could turn around and go there now. But I didn’t. I’d been too excited to give up that easily. One of the librarians came up to me. “Are you here to make magnets?” she asked. “Yes,” I whispered in an unsure voice. She smiled. “Is anyone here to make magnets?” she called to the entire library. No one moved. “Let me know when you are ready to use the glue gun.” She told me. “Make as many as you want!” I sat down at the table. I glanced through the papers. There were quotes from books, pictures of book covers, and pictures that say “I read banned books.” I couldn’t wait to start. The door opened behind me. I turned around and to my surprise my friend came in. I rarely see her because she’s not in my grade and is very busy with tons of activities. That’s why I hadn’t even asked her if she was coming to this event. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I said with happiness and relief when she joined me. “I’m the only one that came to make magnets.” “Really?” she asked in surprise. “No one wants to make magnets?” We spent the rest of the time laughing, cutting, and gluing. Magnet making had not disappointed me. My mom was right. I followed my heart, regardless of who came, and in the end I got rewarded.
103 Elements and Their Interesting Facts (Part 2) by Lucinda Chu
As we welcome a new year, I hope one of your new year resolutions would be “to learn more about the periodic table.” Groaning in frustration? Don’t worry, this blog post would introduce twenty-four more elements to you— each with an interesting fact. (You can read Part 1 here). 7. Nitrogen Chemistry is usually not funny, but Nitrogen will keep you laughing all day! Nitrogen is used as laughing gas at the dentist, to distract your mind from the painful dental procedures and help you relax! At least it’s better than my father’s jokes… Source: https://www.coolkidfacts.com/nitrogen-facts/ 8. Oxygen Nature’s Chosen One loves colors. Solid and liquid oxygen usually appear light blue, but it can also appear in red, orange, pink, and black! Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/fun-oxygen-facts-for-kids-3975945 9. Fluorine This highly explosive element is carbon’s arch-nemesis. Fluorine is one of the few elements that can attack diamond. Anybody want to watch Carbonman Vs. Fluorineman? Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/interesting-fluorine-element-facts-603361 10. Neon News flash: Neon, the New Helium? If you always find your helium balloons keep flying away from you, you may want to consider gaseous neon as your new balloon guy. If you fill a balloon with neon, it will rise in the air, but it would do it at a much slower rate than a helium-filled one. The balloon-stealing sky wouldn’t be happy though… Source: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/chemistry/neon.html 11. Sodium Sir Humphry Davy was a chemistry genius for a reason. It takes most chemists years (or decades) to find a new element. After discovering potassium, he discovered sodium within a few days. Talk about smart! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/sodium.php 12. Magnesium Like carbon’s diamond, magnesium is almost invincible. What would you do if you saw a magnesium fire? Spray nitrogen or carbon dioxide? Won’t work! Pour water to put it out? That will only make it worse! Magnesium fires are hard to put out, because they can burn through nitrogen carbon dioxide and water. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/magnesium.php 13. Aluminium Ever wonder why you don’t see the thirteenth element in biology? Because of the number 13’s bad luck! Aluminium has no function in biology. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/aluminum.php 14. Silicon Diamond has a side-kick, and it’s called Silicon Carbide(SiC). SiC is nearly as hard as diamond. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/silicon.php 15. Phosphorus Ah, phosphorus, the element that makes chemistry feel like the hardest spelling test ever. There are two super-villains called White Phosphorus and Black Phosphorus. White phosphorus is the “destroy everything within reach” type that can cause severe burns if you touch it. Black Phosphorus is the “evil impostor” type that looks like graphite powder and conducts electricity even though it is not a metal. Watch out for the Colorful Phosphorus Brothers! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/phosphorus.php61 16. Sulfur Sulfur is taking over the moon! Or rather, one of Jupiter’s moons, Io. It appears yellow due to the large amount of sulfur on its surface. This sulfur comes from its many active volcanoes. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/sulfur.php 17. Chlorine Ugh. The smelly stuff in the swimming pool. Apparently it’s deadly too! Chlorine gas was used by the Germans in World War I to poison Allied soldiers. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/chlorine.php 18. Argon Amazingly, argon is a lot like humans. It’s a homework slacker, chill-out guy and couch potato who ain’t care about nothing. Literally. The name argon comes from the Greek word “argos” meaning “lazy” or “inactive.” (It’s also best friends with aluminium, because it has nothing to do with biology too!) Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/argon.php 19. Potassium Where do you think we can find potassium in our food? Potatoes ? (Because it’s called “potassium”)Correct! It can also be found in bananas, avocados, nuts, parsley, and chocolate. (Mmm…) Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/potassium.php 20. Calcium Calcium and lime are soulmates. Calcium is named after the Greek name for lime, “calx”, which is calcium oxide. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/calcium.php 21. Scandium Looks like you’re not the only one who failed in Geography! Although scandium was discovered by a Swedish chemist who named it after his homeland Scandinavia (Sweden is part of Scandinavia), it is usually found in Norway (home of the vikings that is another part of Scandinavia), and Madagascar (all the way in Africa!). Say hi to the lemurs for me, Scann! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/scandium.php 22. Titanium Like scandium, titanium is another globe-trotter. Or rather, outer-space-trotter! Titanium is found in meteorites, on the Moon, and in some types of stars, but it is also found in the Earth’s crust (though not as a pure element. It is used to make anything from high-end golf clubs and tennis rackets to plated towns at a museum in Spain. Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/titanium.php 23. Vanadium Always complaining that the names of elements are way to complicated? Well, it could have been a lot worse! Vanadium wasn’t originally supposed to be called vanadium. Proposed names for Element 23 included rionium, panchromium and erythronium. Personally, I’m relieved that vanadium is easier to spell! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/vanadium.php, http://www.softschools.com/facts/periodic_table/vanadium_facts/200/ 24. Chronium Roses are red, while violets are blue. Rubies are red, while chronium is black/gray/blue/violet/orange/green/yellow/purple/other colors/red too! In fact, rubies get their red color from small traces of chromium! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/chromium.php, https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/3_d-Block_Elements/Group_06%3A_Transition_Metals/Chemistry_of_Chromium 25. Manganese In the periodic table, we have friends like H2O (water), and enemies like mercury or lead. However, manganese (no, it’s not the language of manga!) is considered a frenemy– although we need it to survive, such as for liver and kidney functioning, our bodies cannot store it! Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/manganese.php 26. Iron It is common knowledge not to eat things like iron bolts or screws. However, do you know that you’re actually eating it almost every day– even without you knowing? Food sources of iron, which is good for your body, include red meat, beans, fish, and green leafy vegetables. (Note: these food sources DO NOT include the iron magnets in your science lab!) Source: https://www.ducksters.com/science/chemistry/iron.php 27. Cobalt Hey, fantasy lovers! If you hate chemistry (which probably everybody does except for me), then this fact is for you! The name cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning “goblin ore.” How magical! Source: http://www.softschools.com/facts/periodic_table/cobalt_facts/203/ 28. Nickel Warning: Bombshell ahead! Why are nickel and copper mortal enemies? Here’s the
