What has Herbie been up to this month? Find out by reading his latest news below.
April News
Did you know it is World Food Week on Monday 21st April? Herbie likes to try different foods from around the world and he has done some research on the types of food eaten in five different countries. You can read what he has learnt below.
Italy
You may well have been to an Italian restaurant in England before as they are very popular in this country. Pasta and pizza are very popular in Italy and you can get lots of different varieties and flavours. In Italy the sauces and toppings vary from region to region for example the coastal regions tend to have more fish varieties. Other foods that are popular in Italy are Parma or Prosciutto ham, mozzarella and Italian tomatoes.
France
Some of the typical French dishes may sound unusual to us but are very popular in France. Frogs legs are a traditional French dish and taste a bit like chicken. Snails are also popular but need to be properly prepared and cooked and are often served in a garlic butter sauce. It is harder to find these foods in French restaurants than it is Italian food in Italy. Croissants and French bread are also popular.
Spain
Tapas is very popular in Spain. It is common because of the fun and conversation that a tapas meal brings and lots of Spanish people find visiting a Tapas restaurant or enjoying tapas at home a good way to spend time with friends and family. It includes lots of smaller dishes that then make up one big meal. Some tapas food is very simple and others have more flavours and spices in, some are hot and others are cold. Ingredients include cheese, fish, eggs, vegetable, dips, canapés, and savoury pastries.
China
Chinese food is popular in the UK and many people enjoy eating at a local Chinese restaurant. In China the food is usually eaten with chopsticks unlike in England where we eat with knives and forks. Chicken and fish are very popular in Chinese meals and are often accompanied by rice and noodles. Like in Italy there are lots of variations of food in China depending on the area of the county.
India
You don't need to go all the way to India to try the food from there as it is also very popular in England and there are Indian restaurants in lots of towns and cities here. Curry is a very popular dish and is made with lots of herbs and spices. It is quite surprising but curries made in India don't tend to be as hot as those served in restaurants here as more delicate flavours are used. Curries can be made with just vegetables, Quorn, chicken, goat, lamb, fish and other meats.
Herbie says: "It is always really good to try different foods, especially when in new countries. It adds variety to your diet and to make sure you are getting a good mix of food groups."
March News
March is a special month
As we head into spring time
And Herbie is celebrating
By writing you this rhyme
It will soon be Easter
A time for lots of fun
Daffodils and tulips
And we begin to see some sun
Chocolate eggs and bunnies
Are just some of the things you'll see
With lots of nice surprises
In the eggs for you and me
Easter is a religious event
And that we all should know
It has a special meaning
And we can see the flowers grow
You will also see some animals
Rabbits, lamb and chicks
We see them lots this season
When we get our Easter fix
So enjoy this special season
A good time for one and all
Happy Easter says our favourite friend
Herbie the Carrot he is called
February News
Have you read Herbie's new story? It's all about his friend's Sam's birthday which is on the 29th February. This is a special date as it only happens once every four years. It is called a Leap Year and has to happen so that the calendar matches the earth's movement with the sun. So basically every four years an extra day is added at the end of February. Babies born on this day are sometimes known as Leaplings. 2008 is a Leap Year and the next one will be in 2012, then 2016, then 2020 and so on. The only time a Leap Year doesn't happen every four years is when the CAN be divided by 100 (unless it also can be divided by four). This may sound complicated and very difficult maths but it won't happen again until we are all very old so just think that usually a Leap Year is every four years.
You can learn this special poem to help you remember how many days each month has in it:-
30 days hath September,
April, June and November
All the rest have 31
Excepting February alone
Which has but 28 days clear
And 29 in each leap year
Herbie has a special joke for you to tell all your friends...
Q What do you call an elephant with a carrot in each ear?
A Anything you want as he can't hear you!
Read Herbie's Old News here
Herbie at Christmas
Herbie's Bonfire Night News
Herbie goes back to school
Herbie goes to the FA Cup Final
