RNLI Storm Force issue

Issue 162 | RNLI.org/superpowers THE RNLI MAGAZINE FOR KIDS

G N I V A S E F I S! L D PACKE

WITH

R E W O PERP

SU

PLUS: SUNSHINE PRINTS, DYNAMIC LITTLE SHIPS AND A SWEDISH ICE HOTEL

SWEDEN

11

ROCKS!

COOL HOTELS

Sweden is in Scandinavia, sandwiched between Norway and Finland. The country is home to almost 100,000 lakes! And was once also home to Vikings. You won’t find Vikings these days, but you will find another band of bold seagoers – a team of RNLI-like lifesavers.

DAZZLING DISPLAYS

In Jukkasjärvi, north of the Arctic Circle, you’ll find the famous Ice Hotel – a hotel made entirely of ice. Every year, the hotel is completely rebuilt and, as well as ice, the creators use ‘snice’ (a mix of snow and ice).

The temperature, even on the inside, is around -5°! The good news is, you’ll never have to ask for ice in your drink – even the glasses are made out of it!

rebuilt in a new Each year, the Ice Hotel is ncy ice sculptures form, and artists create fa

The north of Sweden is known as the ‘land of the midnight sun’ because, for part of the summer, the sun never sets. But in the depths of winter, it hardly ever gets light! In the darker seasons, you can witness a spectacular light show called the aurora borealis, or northern lights. The magical coloured lights are caused by tiny particles colliding in the Earth's atmosphere.

THE VIKINGS In northe light show rtno Sweden, the sky puts o beat any fire works dispnlaayn unmissable

The name Sweden comes from the Svea tribe.

Swedes call their land Sverige, which means ‘land of the Svea’. The Svea – which means ‘pirate’ in an old Norse language – became known as Vikings, and made raids along the coasts of Europe. But did you know that they made it all the way to North America half a century before Christopher Columbus did? The voyage was led by Leif Erikson, son of Erik the Red.

TBC The beard. T be a long-lost he love of the sea. Could S t relative of Er ik the Red? ormy

ARMOURED WILDLIFE

oose for Never moosetake a m upset an elk. They get quite

Over half the country is covered in forests. In the north you might spot a bear or a wolverine, which is related to the badger and otter, not the wolf (or the superhero – boo). Sweden is helping to save the endangered Arctic fox (Europe has less than 200 left).

But there’s one species it does have a lot of – the country has more moose than you can shake some funny looking antlers at.

Photos: Shutterstock, SNSM/Cap d'Agde

THE RESCUE SERVICE

Junior me about sleembers of the SSRS Storm-Fo k lifeboats like this can read all rce-style m on agazine e in their own

Like the UK and Ireland, Sweden has a maritime rescue service powered by volunteers. Formed in 1907, the Swedish Sea Rescue Society (SSRS) plays a part in 90% of the country’s sea rescues. And just like the RNLI, the society – which has 260 modern rescue vessels – is funded by donations, and special members like you.

2,500 volunteers stand ready to launch 24/7 on the major lakes and anywhere along the Swedish coast.

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1. TRUE OR FALSE? SECOND WORLD WAR RNLI CREWS ONLY RESCUED THOSE ON OUR SIDE?

S D N E I R F D N A STAN

2. TRUE OR FALSE? IN 1940, THE RNLI TOOK PART IN OPERATION DOMINO. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONE IN THE WATER NEEDS OUR HELP!

3. TRUE OR FALSE? BETWEEN 1938 AND 1945, RNLI CREWS TRANSPORTED FOOD, EXPLOSIVES AND TOP-SECRET INFO.

4. TRUE OR FALSE? A DOODLEBUG IS A DRAGONFLY THAT’S VERY GOOD AT DRAWING.

1. FALSE. RNLI CREWS TRIED TO SAVE EVERY ONE, RESCUING THOSE WHO FOUGHT ON BOTH SIDES. 2. FALSE. RAMSGATE AND MARGATE RNLI CREWS TOOK PART IN OPERATION DYNAMO, THE DUNKIRK EVACUATION. 3. TRUE. EVERYONE, INCLUDING OLDER MEN AND WOMEN, PULLED TOGETHER AS ONE CREW, HELPING HOWEVER THEY COULD. 4. FALSE. DOODLEBUGS WERE FLYING BOMBS, AND LADY LIFEBOAT LAUNCHERS LIKE DORIS TART AT DUNGENESS LIFEBOAT STATION HAD TO WATCH OUT FOR THEM. (A DOODLEBUG IS ALSO A BUG, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE ANTLION.)

LOL!

Why doesn't Batman like fishing?

Because Robin always eats the worms!

What does Wonder Woman have in her drinks?

Just-ice!

What do you call Iron Man without his outfit?

Tony Stark-naked!

Why is She-Hulk always recycling?

Because she's really green.

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STORM FORCE ASSEMBLE!

LET'S GO!

SUPER HEROES??

I THOUGHT WE WERE DOING PIRATE STUFF THIS ISSUE?

OK!

I NEED TO GO HOME AND CHANGE!

WHO ARE YOU? Peter and Polly, lifeboat crew members Personalites: Both lively and friendly Likes: Petey likes comics and telling bad jokes.

Polly likes to sing Dislikes: Both complain that the weather is too hot.

Polly is scared of sharks Fave food: Cherry tomatoes, pizza with anchovies, sand eels Other facts: They (secretly) love each other

I'LL CATCH UP WITH YOU!!