June 19

release dates: June 19-25
25-1 (10)
© 2010 Universal Uclick
Castles and More
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Building With Sand
Top to bottom
Have you ever been to a beach?
Playing in the sand is always a
favorite activity while visiting the
shore.
Kids usually build castles, cities
or other structures out of sand. But
did you know that adults are sand
sculptors too?
In honor of summer (which officially
begins June 21), The Mini Page talked
with experts in sand sculpting to find
out more about this unusual art.
All about sand
This
dragon
was just
part of a
project
that
used 60
tons of
sand.
photo courtesy Ted Siebert
How does sand hold together for
artists to make shapes out of it? It’s all
about water — lots of water.
Water acts like a suction cup
between two grains of sand. Grains of
sand from the ocean are “older” and
have been rolled smooth by the tides
over time. Sculptor Ted Siebert told
us that silt from the banks of rivers
makes a good
sand for sculpting.
This sand is
“newer” and still
has sharp edges,
which allows
water to get
caught between
the grains. Water’s ability to grab onto
the grains is called surface tension.
This sand sculpture of a boy sleeping
next to a castle was built in 2006 at the
Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. The
sculptor started with eight tons of sand.
Getting started
For large projects, sculptors build a
frame and fill it with tons of wet sand.
A box 6 feet by 8 feet and 2 feet high
will hold about 15 tons of sand.
Then the artist begins compacting it
— pounding it with a special machine
to make it solid and strong.
Natural materials
Sand sculpting is an
environmentally friendly art, Ted
Siebert told us. “Everything is
reusable; there’s nothing toxic,” he
said. Indoor sculptures can last for
weeks. Rain and wind will eventually
“melt” outdoor sand castles.
“You enjoy the beauty in the
moment,” he said. “It’s nice to be able
to say, ‘I built that.’”
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photo courtesy Ted Siebert
After the sand is pounded, the
sculptor removes the form and is ready
to carve it away to create an artwork.
He or she begins at the top and works
down.
Artists might use garden tools
such as shovels or trowels to begin
removing the sand. For creating
details, they use palette knives,
brushes and shapes, such as cones and
funnels.
®
25-2 (10); release dates: June 19-25
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
How to Build With Sand
photos courtesy Brett Alan Photography
Now it’s time to start
sculpting! Start at the top.
5
3
Check your picture to see
Use a
what the top of
bucket, box
your object looks
or other
like. Then, using
container to
a garden tool, a
pack sand.
putty knife or
Remember
a brush, start
to use very
chipping away at
wet sand and the wet sand from
keep mixing top to bottom to
water into it. make your shape.
Pack it very
Don’t be discouraged if your sand
tightly, then gets too dry and crumbles. This
turn it over
happened even to professional sand
and tap the
sculptors when they were learning
sides gently
their art.
to release the Sculptor Ted Siebert says: “It’s
sand.
possible to do anything if you’re
Decide how big you
enthusiastic about it!” Maybe you can
You can also try handwant your sculpture to be.
2
try again tomorrow.
stacking. Using very wet
Remember, you have to work
4
sand, flatten handfuls into
Finally, take a picture of
quickly so the sand will stay wet. You
patties by jiggling them gently. Then
your sand sculpture so you
also don’t want the tide to wash it
6
stack the patties to make a tower.
can enjoy it for many years.
away while you’re still working.
Will you be near a beach or a river
this summer? You might want to
try building your own artwork in
the sand. You could even organize a
competition with family and friends.
The Mini Page helps you get
started with your sand castle project.
First, think about what
your sand creation will
1
look like. Do you want a
traditional castle, or would you
rather build something different?
Look in newspapers,
magazines, books
and on the Internet
for pictures and
ideas.
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Ready Resources
The Mini Page provides ideas for websites,
books or other resources that will help you learn
more about this week’s topics.
On the Web:
• www.usopensandcastle.com
• www.sandcastlecentral.com
• www.sandsculpting.com
At the library:
• “Sandcastles Made Simple” by Lucinda Wierenga
• “Hamlet and the Magnificent Sandcastle” by Brian Lies
• “The Sandcastle Contest” by Robert Munsch
• “Sandcastle in a Box” by Ted Siebert
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Brown
Bassetews
try ’n
The N d’s
find
Houn
Words that remind us of sand castles are hidden in the block below. Some words
are hidden backward or diagonally, and some letters are used twice. See if you
can find: ARCHITECT, ART, BEACH, CASTLE, COMPETITION, CONTAINER,
FRAME, IDEA, PACK, PLAY, PROFESSIONAL, SAND, SCULPTURE,
SUCTION, SUMMER, SURFACE, TENSION, TON, TOOL, WATER, WET.
TM
Just call me
Mr. Sandman!
Sand Castles
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Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
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®
25-3 (10); release dates: June 19-25
Mini Spy . . .
TM
TM
Rookie Cookie’s Recipe
Carrot Cake Squares
Mini Spy is building a sand castle on the beach.
See if you can find:
• two dogs
• word MINI • letter D • letter B
• letter A
• frog
• goose
• fish
• carrot
• cherry
• letter C • number 3
• funny face • snake
You’ll need:
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 11/2 cups grated carrots
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup water
What to do:
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup white flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1. Combine sugar, carrots, spices, raisins, water, orange juice and butter in a
large glass bowl.
2. Microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes until butter is melted; stir to mix.
3. Cool mixture until lukewarm.
4. Add flours, baking powder and salt to wet mixture. Mix well and stir in nuts.
5. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray; pour in mixture.
6. Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes. Makes 24 servings.
You will need an adult’s help with this recipe.
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Meet Key Wilde and Mr Clarke
photo by Thom Lang
Key Wilde and Mr Clarke have a book and CD
set for kids, “Rise and Shine.” They perform in
classrooms and at concerts.
Richard Clarke grew up in England and
France. He has been in several bands and
taught in the New York City schools. He often
travels to Brazil in the summer to work with
musicians there.
Key Wilde grew up in Texas and North
Carolina. He is an artist who has illustrated
Mr Clarke (left) and for greeting cards, magazines, newspapers and
Key Wilde
children’s books. He began writing music for
kids when his daughter was in preschool.
The men began recording music together in home recording studios.
They sold their cassettes with Key Wilde’s artwork.
They are working on animated videos and an animated children’s
TV show.
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
!
The Mini Page®
W
E
N The Mini Page’s popular series of issues about each
Book of States
state is collected here in a 156-page softcover book.
Conveniently spiral-bound for ease of use, this invaluable
resource contains A-to-Z facts about each state, along
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from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
TM
All the following jokes have something in common.
Can you guess the common theme or category?
Sam: Where does the sandman live when he’s
not putting children to sleep?
Sally: A sand castle!
Sidney: What can you eat for lunch while
building a sand castle?
Sarah: Sandwiches!
Susan: How should you measure a sand
castle?
Seth: With a ruler!
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.
®
25-4 (10); release dates: June 19-25
from The Mini Page © 2010 Universal Uclick
Sifting Through the Sand
photo courtesy Lucinda Wierenga
Would you like a job where you
could play in the sand all day? Many
sand sculptors work for companies,
cities, organizations or individual
people. They travel the world to
create special pieces of art for
weddings, company anniversaries
and meetings, and other events.
Sandy Feet has been sand
sculpting for about 30 years. Today,
along with competing and doing
professional sand sculptures, she
gives lessons on the beach near her
home in South Padre Island, Texas.
This former high school English
teacher said students of all ages
enjoy learning how to make sand art.
This sculpture, called “Sun Salutation,”
was created by professional Sandy Feet
(also known as Lucinda Wierenga) in
Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, in 2006.
The Mini Page thanks sand sculptor Ted
Siebert of The Sand Sculpture Co., sculptor
and teacher Lucinda Wierenga, and Bonnie
Vieira with the U.S. Open Sandcastle
Competition for help with this issue.
photo courtesy Brett Alan Photography
Working on the beach
These kids are competing in Kids ’N Kastles, part of the U.S. Open Sandcastle
Competition in Imperial Beach, Calif. This year the contest takes place the
weekend of Aug. 7-8.
Eyes on the prize
Becoming a sculptor
For some sand artists, sculpting
is a competitive sport. Sand castle
competitions can be found in many
areas of the United States, mostly
near the coasts. But there are inland
competitions,
too.
Contests
may include
several
divisions, with
competition
for
professional
and amateur
adults and
children.
Many sand sculptors have a
background in art. Some are
architects, or people who are trained
to design buildings. Their skills help
them when constructing sand art, too.
A little sand history
On the beach in Atlantic City, N.J.,
sand artists in the late 1800s hoped
their creations would inspire passersby
to throw money. But sand sculpting
didn’t become popular as an artform
until about 40 years ago. Today there
are about 100 professional sand
sculptors in North America.
Next week, The Mini Page celebrates the
Fourth of July with a story about marching
bands.
The Mini Page Staff
Betty Debnam - Founding Editor and Editor at Large Lisa Tarry - Managing Editor Lucy Lien - Associate Editor Wendy Daley - Artist
Please include all of the appropriate registered trademark symbols and copyright lines in any publication of The Mini Page®.