Table of contents for 426 in The Week Junior

On 5 February, Buckingham Palace announced that doctors have told King Charles that he has cancer. He has already started treatment and will put his public duties on hold for now. What is cancer? Cancer is a broad term for a collection of diseases that are caused by oddly behaving cells growing out of control. Doctors can spot it using tests and examinations, based on symptoms (signs of illness) that someone might have. There are many treatments available to help people get better but the exact one depends on which type of cancer someone has. The King chose to share the news of his illness to raise awareness of the condition and to show support and understanding for everyone around the world whose lives are affected by cancer. What’s going…

Most birds wait for spring to nest, but rooks begin settling down in February, or sometimes earlier. Found all over the UK are “rookeries” – collections of rook nests in the tops of tall oak and ash trees. These clever birds mate for life and make their nests by breaking off twigs and branches, and even stealing from other birds’ homes. Rooks are black but their feathers have a shiny greeny-purple sheen. They can be distinguished from crows by the grey-white skin at the base of their sharp beaks. You may hear a rookery before you see it, because rooks are loud social birds – their call is described as a “kaah” sound. Rooks usually lay three to four eggs, which hatch after about two weeks. The chicks will fly…

Our Bolivian black capped squirrel monkeys. They have large brains for their body size, which is thought to be linked to the complex social structures they live in: groups of around 75 male and female monkeys. They communicate with each other constantly, to ensure the group is safe and they know what’s happening. They also love grooming each other, which creates and reinforces bonds between them. Enjoy unlimited visits to ZSL London and Whipsnade Zoos, plus a host of other benefits with ZSL Membership. Find out more at zsl.org/membership/zsl-membership…

Five universities in Australia have partnered with 38 other organisations, including the US space agency NASA, to develop ideas for how to feed astronauts in space. Over the next 20 years, NASA is planning to send humans to the Moon and Mars. It wants to set up a permanent base on the Moon, which would mean having to keep astronauts happy and healthy with nutritious meals for long periods. For now, most space food is pre-made like ready meals and sealed up in pouches. It’s also treated to make it last longer – for example, by being blasted with radiation (a type of energy) to kill harmful bacteria. However, scientists want astronauts to be able to grow fresh food in space, so they can replace their food stocks and have…

With nearly 2,000 young athletes and 15 events in seven sports, the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea, finished on 1 February. The Games have taken place every four years since 2012. This time Great Britain won six medals: four golds, one silver and one bronze. It is the most success Team GB has had at the Games. The winter sports included curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing and snowboarding. Zak Carrick-Smith (16) won two gold medals and a silver to become Britain’s most successful winter athlete. He competed in alpine skiing, where athletes ski down a snow-covered slope in the fastest time possible. He won the men’s slalom and men’s alpine combined races. He came second in the men’s giant slalom. Britain’s other two gold medals came…

What does a duck do when it needs the loo in mid-air on a migration route from the US to Jamaica? This is one of the questions facing a family of mallard ducks in the new animated film Migration, which is out now in cinemas. The family must travel through the danger-filled and polluted streets of New York City and avoid being turned into a tasty dinner for humans, with the help of a streetwise pigeon. Migration was made by Illumination Entertainment, which also created Despicable Me, Minions and The Secret Life of Pets. Another animated adventure out in cinemas is The Jungle Bunch World Tour. It’s a funny film about a villainous beaver who has spread a poisonous pink foam all over the jungle – which explodes when it…

Games consoles have plenty of big sports games to play: basketball, football, golf, tennis and more. You can also get sporty on phones and tablets with mobile games. Ping Pong Fury: Table Tennis is one of the most fun: it gets you to swipe on the screen to smash the ball, playing against phone-controlled opponents or your friends online. You can add spin like a top player and unlock new bats, balls and even shoes as you work your way through the single-player mode. Another game that will have you swiping to swing is Mini Tennis, where you play tennis matches to unlock players – made-up characters rather than based on real stars – and improve their skills. Like Ping Pong Fury, you can also win items to change the…

How many salts in your tea? Relations between the UK and the US recently became strained after a US scientist claimed that the perfect cup of tea needs a pinch of salt. Michelle Francl came to her theory about tea after analysing research papers and ancient texts that were more than 1,000 years old. Francl’s claim caused some strong reactions, and US representatives in the UK had to step in. They said on social media, “When it comes to tea, we stand as one.” A fridge too far for police officers It’s not every day that you see someone running with a fridge strapped to their back. This was how the police found Daniel Fairbrother in Stevenage, England, when, believing he was a fridge burglar, they decided to stop and…

This is the title given to members of the royal family who carry out the monarch’s official duties temporarily if they’re unable to. This could be because they’re unwell or abroad. The title was created in 1937, when King George VI was on the throne. Counsellors of State are usually the monarch’s husband or wife and the next four adults in line to the throne. It is currently Queen Camilla, Prince William, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Princess Beatrice. They can attend meetings and sign documents on behalf of the King.…

A COLLECTION OF TRAINERS Trainers that were worn by basketball star Michael Jordan have sold for a record-breaking £6.3 million. The six trainers were bought during an auction in New York, US. Auctions are events where people sell items to whoever offers the highest amount. THE UK’S TALLEST BIRD Last year the number of cranes in the UK rose to 80 pairs. This is the highest number reported since the birds were reintroduced in 1979, following their complete disappearance from Britain in the 16th century. Projects to restore wetlands in Norfolk and Somerset in England have helped tempt the birds back. SHARING STORIES The Story Museum in Oxford has received 2,000 Puffin books following the death of a collector and former teacher called Elizabeth High. She began collecting the books…

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets in the UK. Some people, however, prefer to have a more unusual pet. They say that exotic animals, such as chameleons or parrots, are much more interesting companions to care for. Social media, films and TV can influence pet choices. During the 1980s and 1990s, the popularity of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles films and cartoons led to lots of people adopting terrapins. Once the trend wore off, or children grew up and left home, many terrapins had to be re-homed. Some were even released into the wild, where they can damage the environment. Some people say exotic pets are beautiful and fun but others argue that they belong in the wild or in zoos with expert keepers. What do you think? Is…

What do you imagine when you hear the word “rainforest”? Mile after mile of towering trees in a faraway country? Hot weather, heavy rain and the kind of incredible wildlife that you’d never get to see in the UK? Maybe even news reports about the battle to save the forests from destruction by humans? You might be surprised to hear, then, that the UK is home to a lot of its very own kind of rainforest, called temperate rainforest – and you can go and see it. What are temperate rainforests? Temperate rainforests are areas of very damp woodland in temperate areas. Temperate areas are places with fairly mild temperatures, in comparison to tropical climates (very hot) and polar climates (very cold). The UK is a good example of a…

Many animals don’t see the world in the same way that people do. Now, a team of scientists have developed a camera that can recreate what animals see. The camera records video in blue, green, red and ultraviolet – a type of light that humans can’t see, but some insects, such as bees, can. The recordings can be used to recreate what an animal would see, based on information about how their eyes detect light. The scientists hope to learn more about how animals communicate. Enjoy these stories? Find more in this month’s The Week Junior Science+Nature magazine sciencenature.theweekjunior.co.uk…

Scotland, England and Ireland rugby union teams They all won their opening games in the men’s Six Nations tournament. Great Britain mixed team diving On the first day of the World Aquatics Championships, Great Britain picked up a gold medal in the mixed team competition. Manchester City women In the Women’s Super League (WSL), Manchester City beat Leicester City 2–0 to win their seventh WSL game in a row. Lioness stars Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly scored the goals. Charlotte Bankes The British winter athlete won gold in the snowboard cross event at the World Cup in Georgia.…

How do you unwind before bed? I do a series of stretches to take care of my body because I love to exercise, and then I hop into bed with the latest fantasy or sci-fi book I’m reading. Favourite piece of technology? Surprisingly – or not – it’s my mobile phone. It’s the device I rely on the most for keeping in touch with my friends and family. What was your favourite subject in school? Visual arts! I loved being creative and learning ways to make interesting art. What tip in this book is the most useful to you? I like: “You don’t break a bad habit, you replace it with a good habit.” What three things would you take to a deserted island? My dog, my Frisbee and my…

Holly King-Mand is a writer, presenter and campaigner for literacy (the ability to read and write) who has inspired thousands of children to be creative. Holly loves writing and had her first poem published at the age of 14. Here, she shows you how to write your very own adoring ode. An ode is a type of poem that praises, glorifies or adores an event, person, place or thing. Odes are thoughtful and show that you have explored your feelings. An ode can be serious or fun – but it must be about something you really think is wonderful. Odes date back to ancient Greek times and were often accompanied by chants, music or singing. In fact, the word “ode” comes from a Greek word meaning to sing or chant.…

Hello, we are Pia and Lucy and we have taken over as guest editors of The Week Junior to mark Children’s Mental Health Week. We are the Knightsbridge School wellbeing ambassadors and we visited The Week Junior office, along with younger students from our school (see page 16). We sat in on the Monday news meeting and helped the team choosing the stories for that week. As wellbeing ambassadors, we check in on students’ concerns. Our aim is to make sure that everybody in our school feels represented and listened to. One of the reasons we got involved with supporting mental health was because of the exams we all face, which can cause extreme pressure and stress. Also, after Covid some people find it difficult to interact personally and in…

Leaders Award STEM Competition “If you were an engineer, what would you do?” That’s the question asked to UK pupils aged three to 19 by Primary Engineer’s annual STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) competition. Learn what engineers do through live interviews or in-school visits. Then, identify a problem and come up with a solution with an annotated drawing and letter explaining it. Every pupil receives their own certificate for taking part and shortlisted entries will be invited to an award ceremony and public exhibition. The deadline for entries is 22 March, and you can enter through your school. GET INVOLVED Email your news, views and pictures to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Please include your full name and address so that we can send you a Roving Reporter badge if your contribution makes…

Teacher’s name: Mr Hartington School: Alban City School, St Albans, Hertfordshire “Mr Hartington is my favourite teacher in the world. He always helps me and makes me smile every day. I’m really enjoying Year 4, he is the kindest and funniest teacher ever. He always appreciates our efforts. Thank you for everything, Mr Hartington.”Alp If we pick your teacher as Teacher of the Week, we’ll send your school three free issues of The Week Junior. Send your nominations, along with a picture of your teacher and your school’s full name and address, to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk…

1 A collection of Michael Jordan’s trainers sold for how much? □ a) £600,000 □ b) £1.2 million □ c) £6.3 million 2 True or false? Sheep’s wool is being used to warm houses in Wales. □ True □ False 3 Where in Canada did a mysterious shipwreck appear? 4 A series of cartoons and films once sparked a trend for keeping what animals as pets? □ a) Newts □ b) Terrapins □ c) Axolotls 5 True or false? There are 86 million neurons in the human brain. □ True □ False 6 What type of ants form a floating raft with their bodies? 7 Temperate rainforests make up how much of the world’s surface? □ a) 10% □ b) 8% □ c) 1% 8 True or false? The smallest…

Maya Hanspal is a neuroscientist and her job involves finding ways to treat problems of the nervous system. This system is made up of neurons – special cells that control much of what the brain and body feel and do. Cells are the basic building blocks of all living things. However, at school Hanspal didn’t think she could be a scientist because maths wasn’t her strongest subject. She says she succeeded partly because of her curiosity – a very important quality for a scientist. Another one is creativity. “One thing that might surprise people is that you have to be a bit of a creative thinker,” Hanspal tells The Week Junior. Hanspal says a lot of her job is about solving problems. She might be in the lab, where she…

An invasive species of ant is changing the way lions hunt and eat in Kenya, according to a new study. The species’ arrival has led to a fall in the number of whistling thorn trees, which lions hide behind as they sneak up on zebras. The big-headed ant is one of the world’s worst invasive species. This means it is not originally from the area. The ants arrived in Kenya from southern Africa about 15 years ago, and since then have been attacking the native acacia ant. Acacia ants live in and look after the whistling thorn trees that dot the landscape. In what’s known as a “symbiotic relationship” (meaning it benefits both sides) the acacia ants feed on the trees and use them for shelter. In return, they protect…

For the first time, scientists have recorded parrots using their beaks to swing across branches. The technique, called “beakiation”, was used by rosy-faced lovebirds on a tree-like model in a lab. It uses the same forces that monkeys make use of in their forearms when they swing between trees. ● LIFESPAN: Five to 15 years. ● HABITAT: Dry forests and river valleys across south-western Africa. ● SIZE: 17–18 centimetres. ● DIET: Berries, flowers, leaves and seeds. ● FUN FACT: Meeting again after being separated, lovebirds feed each other to strengthen their bond.…

On 5 February, a group of 13 students from Knightsbridge School in London visited The Week Junior’s office. They were accompanied by two special guests – CBBC presenter and Strictly star Rhys Stephenson, and artist Xavier Leopold – who work with Place2Be to spread the word about the charity’s mission to improve children’s mental health. The theme of Children’s Mental Health Week is “My Voice Matters”, so the aim of the visit was to give children a chance to express themselves by contributing to this magazine, and to have their voices heard on our podcast. Two of the students – Pia and Lucy – are this week’s guest editors. They are also Knightsbridge School’s wellbeing ambassadors and they explain what that involves in their editors’ note on page 28. While…

Whether you have one really good friend or hang out with several people, your mates are important. Making friends Your pals are the people you choose to spend time with. You might have friends at school, mates who live nearby or other people you hang out with at a club like Guides or football. You may see them every day or never meet in person if you connect with them online. It doesn’t matter how many friends you have, what’s important is that you and your friends respect and care about each other and enjoy spending time together. If a friend’s behaviour is making you uncomfortable, young people’s coach Maria Evans says it’s ok to question it. “Being a supportive friend means you’re willing to talk to them about behaviour…

Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies by Alison D. Stegert (Chicken House) Genius Winnie Wetherby is the latest recruit to Her Majesty’s League of Remarkable Young Ladies. Can she protect Queen Victoria from danger and win a top prize for young inventors along the way? This is a voyage to the past with incredible inventions. Juniper Mae: Knight of Tykotech City by Sarah Soh (Flying Eye) In this graphic novel, young inventor Juniper Mae builds amazing gadgets in her dad’s repair shop – from jet packs to socks that make sure your feet always stay warm and dry. When an invention malfunctions and she crash-lands in the forest, she must use her skills to navigate a new world of mystery, adventure and ancient knights. In the Key of Code…

Dead Man’s Cove Lauren St John “Mysterious, gripping, suspenseful. A brave schoolgirl unexpectedly uncovers a mystery. You feel that you are right in the book alongside Laura and Tariq.” YOUR TURN Email your book review to hello@theweekjunior.co.uk. If it’s printed in the magazine you’ll receive a Roving Reporter badge. Describe the book in three words, what you liked about it and why you’d recommend it to others. Don’t forget to include your name and address.* *If you are the competition winner, we will only use the details you provide to contact you and arrange delivery of your competition prize. Further details about how we manage the data you provide can be found at futureplc.com/privacy-policy…

Word fill in All these words fit in the grid. Can you work out where each word goes to complete it? 3 letters Pea Yam 4 letters Okra Pear 5 letters Apple Guava Mango Peach 6 letters Banana Potato 7 letters Apricot Bramble 8 letters Beetroot Cucumber 9 letters Cranberry Sweetcorn Tangerine Wordsearch Can you find all of the sports listed here? They are hidden horizontally, vertically or diagonally and may read forwards or backwards. BASEBALL BILLIARDS BOULES BOWLING BOWLS CRICKET CROQUET FOOTBALL GOLF HOCKEY LACROSSE NETBALL POLO POOL ROUNDERS RUGBY SNOOKER SOFTBALL SQUASH TENNIS Number tower Place a number in every circle to complete the tower. The value in each circle is the sum of the numbers in the two circles directly beneath it. Spot the difference These two…

Mental Health UK This charity grew from the work of four UK-based mental health charities. It aims to give everyone the tools they need to live their best possible life at home, school and work, and to challenge the causes of poor mental health. Mental illnesses can develop before the age of 18 so the charity has developed programmes for young people. The “Bloom” programme works in schools to help young people manage their mental health. Ask an adult to find out more at mentalhealth-uk.org…

We’d love to see your snaps. Send them to us at hello@theweekjunior.co.uk Don’t forget to tell us why you took them. “I have been baking delicious honey oat bars this morning. It is the first time that I have baked something almost entirely independently (Mummy helped with the oven) and I’ve been having the best time.”Annabel “Here is a photo of my cat, Peanut, keeping guard of my hundreds of The Week Junior. He thinks they’re very comfy.”Jonah “This is me and my sister Aneya – we are absolutely obsessed with The Week Junior and have a great collection starting from August 2023.”Kai and Aneya…

We love hearing from you! It’s easy – just write a comment when you vote in our online Big Debate poll, or even record a voice note for The Week Junior Show. We asked our readers whether children should educate themselves… “No, there could be a vital subject that the child doesn’t like.” “Yes. Children do it all the time already through play.” “Children could be very naughty and not actually be learning.” “Yes, it will help the child to learn independence and they will feel excited to learn.” Tell us what you think of this week’s issue and we’ll print some of the best comments here.…