On one full-moon night every fall, the river and lakes of Thailand are dotted with twinkling (闪烁的) candles. The Thais are celebrating “Loi Krathong” or “Floating Leaf Cup Day”.

No one knows for sure how this lovely holiday got started. But however it began, it is delightful today. It is simply a time to have fun.

Families always used to make their floats, or little boats, from banana leaves torn into pieces and made into the shape of a bowl. Then they beautifully decorated them with flowers. Now, while many families still make their own floats, others simply buy them. Modern floats may be made of banana leaves or plastic. All of them still hold a lighted candle, a flower, a stick or two of sweet-smelling incense (香), and a coin.

On the holiday evening, families gather at parks near lakes, rivers, or canals for outdoor dinners. Adults sit on mats and visit with their neighbors while children play hide-and-seek. Ion some cities, flaming fireworks and dancers in shining silk clothes entertain the crowd.

Many men and woman sell things. People sell floats to those who have not made them at home. Other people sell balloons in various shapes and colors or clever toys made of bamboo. Food sellers offer noodle soup, dried fish, candy, little cakes, roasted chicken, and bamboo tubes filled with sticky rice cooked in coconut milk. They pour soft drinks into small plastic bags, whirl a rubber band around the top, and stick in a short straw.

Then, when the full moon rises, families light the candles and set their little boats afloat. The waterway soon twinkles like a fairyland with candles moving up and down in their floats and fireworks reflecting in the water.

【推荐2】In India, one of the most significant festivals is Diwali, which falls between October and November. It’s a five-day celebration that includes good food, fireworks, colored sand, and special candles and lamps.

In honor of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, people make special prayers on the first day to obtain blessings for welfare, success, and well-being. People welcome the goddess into their homes by decorating entrances with colorful lanterns and traditional designs. In addition, many people treat themselves to fine jewellery, praying for good fortune. Those who cannot afford so much, seek out cheaper items such as clothes or household goods.

The second day of the festival is called Kali Chaudas. For some, the day provides an opportunity to drive away misfortune from homes and businesses. They decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called Rangoli on the floor using colored powder or sand.

The third day is when the biggest celebrations occur, which begin early in the morning with a visit to a temple to seek the blessing of the goddess. As the sun sets, festival observers light up their homes with small lamps and enjoy delicious traditional foods with their loved ones.

The festival’s fourth day is celebrated in many different ways. Friends and relatives visit with gifts, sweets and best wishes for the season.

And the final day of the festival is called Bhai Dooj. It honors the close bond between brothers and sisters and is observed with traditional ceremonies and more delicious foods.

For children in India, Diwali is similar to Christmas. They get an entire week off from school and are treated to gifts, new clothes, amazing food, and, in the past at least, a large number of fireworks. It is no wonder that the festival ranks high among the country’s favorite celebrations.

【推荐3】Ma Lili's parents are going to give a birthday party for her. She’s going to be fourteen years old. Ma Lili has a lot of friends. They are going to come to the party. They are girls from Ma Lili’s school. There are twenty-five of them.

Ma Lili’s mother is making birthday cakes for the party. They are very nice cakes. Ma Lili says to her mother "Mum, you’re very nice. Thank you for your nice cakes. " Her father is going shopping. He buys a lot of apples, bananas, oranges and pears.

It’s four o'clock in the afternoon. Now everything is ready. The party begins in thirty minutes.

【推荐1】Are you interested in movie musicals? Here are some best movie musicals you need to watch.

Debbie Reynolds (the heroine) is ultra-charming in this time-honored classic musical about the coming of the talking pictures in movie history. She plays a winning showgirl with a golden singing voice designed for Hollywood stars. You can also see how Gene Kelly (the hero) made a hit in the timeless “Singin’in the Rain”.

It hit the big screen in 1965 and became an early blockbuster. It’s one of those movies that everybody watches again and again. Whether you’re singing along to ''Do-Re-Mi” or ''My Favorite Things”, you’ll still think of the cute Von Trapp children and the beautiful Austrian setting. Christopher Plummer (the hero) is wonderful as the serious captain melts into gentleness when singing “Edelweiss”. And Julie Andrews (the heroine) shows her addictive voice in such songs as “I Have Confidence”.

Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones sing and dance as criminals in this musical about fame, envy, and murderous love. Famous songs include “Cell Block Tango”, where female criminals sing about how they ended up in jail. It won Best Picture, Best Actress in a supporting role, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound in Oscar 2003.

Struggling actress Mia (Emma Stone) and ambitious jazz pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) begin a romance as they both follow their heart in the path of their dreams in Los Angeles. It won Best Performance by an Actress in a leading role, Best Achievement in Directing, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, and Best Achievement in Production Design in Oscar 2017.

【推荐2】A musical, School of Rock, which is played at the Winter Garden Theatre, is based on the 2003 hit movie starring Jack Black and opens on Broadway(百老汇).

“The central message of the story,” the show’s composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said recently, “is about the driving force of music.” Lloyd Webber, who is behind such Broadway hits as Phantom of the Opera and Cats, runs a music education foundation. He is allowing schools to license the musical while it’s still on Broadway.

School of Rock tells the story of Dewey Finn, an ambitious rock star played by Alex Brightman. When Finn’s musical career hits a dead end, he gets a job as a teacher. While in the classroom, he encourages his fifth graders to form a rock band.

All of the actors play their own instruments during the performance. “If you say that you can do it, and you work hard enough, then you can do it,” said Evie Dolan, who learned to play bass for the role of Katie.

While the musical is very similar to the movie, lyricist Glenn Slater added new songs, including You’re in the Band and Stick It to the Man.

“I really love You’re in the Band,” said the musical’s director, Laurence Connor, “I love that moment when the audience sees the children pick up their instruments for the first time and really play, and find rock music for the first time.”

Bobby Mackenzie, who plays Tomika, said that the experience of expressing herself through music has been a pleasing one. When asked what advice she has for ambitious musicians, she said, “If it is really what you want to do, go for it. Work as hard as you can.”

【推荐1】Visiting During Coronavirus

Take time to walk in Shakespeare's footsteps, without the usual crowds. Your visit to Shakespeare's Birthplace will help us to ensure that Shakespeare's heritage survives this difficult period for future visitors to enjoy.

To keep our visitors and staff safe, we have introduced a timed ticket system. All tickets must be booked in advance, even if you have a pre-existing ticket. Groups larger than 6 are not allowed to book, meet, or interact at our site unless they are part of the same household. Sec below for more details and read about the extra safety measures we've put in place.

Please note that Anne Hathaway's Cottage. Shakespeare's New Place, Mary Arden's Farm and Hall's Croft will remain closed until at least spring 2021.

Pre-booking is essential

Online booking is essential to secure your time slot. We'll be unable to grant you entry without a pre-booked, tinted entry ticket. Tickets will be released every Friday, with availability up to 2 weeks in advance.

Before your visit

Please bear the following things in mind, and check our website and social media for updates before travelling.

● If showing COVID-19 symptoms please stay at home.

● Wear a face covering in indoor spaces (unless exempt).

● We may conduct temperature checks.

● Bag searches are in operation.

● We do not offer cloakroom/baggage store facilities.

● Be ready for cashless payments.

NHS Covid-19 Test and Trace app

Visitors are encouraged to download the NIIS Covid-19 Test and Trace app prior to arrival at Shakespeare's Birthplace and "check-in" by scanning the QR code available at the ticket desk and entrance to the shop.

【推荐1】I was standing in the checkout line behind a woman who looked to be in her 60s. When it was her turn to pay, the cashier greeted her by name and asked her how she was doing.

The woman looked down, shook her head and said: “Not so good. My husband just lost his job. The truth is, I don’t know how I’m going to get through these days.” Then she gave the cashier food stamps(食品券).

My heart ached. I wanted to help but didn’t know how. Should I offer to pay for her groceries, or ask for her husband’s resume(简历)?

Walking into the parking lot, I spotted the woman returning her shopping cart. I remembered something in my purse that I thought could help her. It wasn’t a handful of cash or an offer of a job for her husband, but maybe it would make her life better.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice trembling a bit. “I couldn’t help overhearing what you said to the cashier. It sounds like you’ re going through a really hard time right now. I’m so sorry. I’d like to give you something. ”

I handed her the small card from my purse. When the woman read the two words “You Matter” on the card, she began to cry. And through her tears, she said: “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

I was a little startled by her reply. Having never done anything like this before, I didn’t know what kind of reaction I might receive. All I could think to say was: “Would it be OK to give you a hug? ”

A few days earlier, one of my workmates gave a similar card to me as encouragement for a project I was working on. When I read the card, I felt a warm glow spread inside of me. Deeply touched, I ordered my own box of “You Matter” cards and started sharing them.

【推荐2】Best Cookbooks for Kids for 2019

Best Overall: Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat !)

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With the help of this best-selling cookbook, your kids will become masters in the kitchen! Cooking Class:57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make （and Eat! ） is ideal for children aged 6 to 12, as it includes detailed explanations of basic cooking techniques, plus more than 50 kid-friendly recipes. This award-winning cookbook is a comprehensive guide for cooking novices, explaining skills and recipes in kid-friendly language.

Best for Learning Basics: Better Homes and Gardens New. Junior Cookbook

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If you want to teach your kids cooking terms, tools and techniques, you need the Better Homes and Gardens New Junior Cookbook. This 128-page cookbook has more than 65 kid-friendly recipes, and it's perfect for introducing kids aged 5 to 12 to the wonderful world of cooking. It includes a detailed section on cooking terms, kitchen safety, tools （including pictures）, and healthy cooking. It also addresses how to measure ingredients and how to read recipes.

Best Classic: Betty Crocker^’s Cook book for Boys and Girls

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The first edition of this classic kids' cookbook was published more than 60 years ago, and the Betty Crocker's Cookbook for Boys and Girls is still a favorite for kids and adults alike. The recipes are ideal for children aged 8 to 12. This cookbook is an authentic reproduction of the original 1957 edition, which many baby boomers learned from themselves! Many older buyers write that they had the same cookbook growing up and love sharing the classic recipes with the next generation.

Best Vegetarian: The Help Yourself Cookbook for Kids

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This vegan cookbook is best for children aged 6 to 12, and its aim is to teach kids about healthy eating by involving them in the cooking process. The book features 60 plant-based recipes for you to make with your family, including meals, snacks, drinks and desserts.

【推荐3】Elixir

written by Eric Walters

Twelve-year-old Roth becomes a friend of Dr. Banting and his assistant, Mr. Best,who are in search of a cure for diabetes (糖尿病). She finds herself torn between her   sympathy for the animals being experimented on and her friendship with Banting and   Best.

George Washington Carver

written by Elizabeth Macleod

Meet the "Peanut specialist", George Washington Carver, the inventor and professor who made over 325 products out of peanuts. Through his agricultural research, he also greatly improved the lives of countless black farmers in the   southern Unite States. See also MacLeod's Albert Einstein: A life of Genius.

The Inuit Thought of it: Amazing Arctic Innovation

written by Alootook Ipellie and David MacDonald.

Explore more than 40 ideas necessary to Inuit survival. From ideas familiar to us today to inventive concepts that shaped their lives, celebrate the creativity of a remarkably intelligent people. Also see other books: the Chinese thought of it by Tingxing Ye and A Native American Thought of it by Rocky Landon and David MacDonald.

Made in Canada:101 Amazing Achievements

written by Bev Spencer

What things do we use daily that have a Canadian connection? Here Are 101 common things that were invented in Canada or by a Canadian, including the Blackberry, alkaline (碱) batteries the Blue Box recycling program.

Newton and the Time Machine

written by Michael McGowan

Ten-year-old boy Newton has invented a time machine to see Dinosaurs up close.

But it disappears on a test run with his two huge friends, King Herbert and Queen   Gertrude, in it! Can he save them before time runs out?