Maruko is a primary school student. She often makes mistakes（错误）and meets lots of difficulties. However, as the main character（角色）of the cartoon series, Maruko won millions of fans.

On August 15, 2018, Momoko Sakura, the writer of the popular comic series, died at the age of 53. This was sad news for Maruko's fans. For those who were born in the 1980s and 1990s, Maruko helped them feel better about themselves as children.

Unlike many cartoon characters, Maruko isn't perfect. She doesn't have any kind of special abilities（能力）, either. In fact, she's naughty, funny, and sometimes gets very unhappy. She's lazy and doesn't like doing housework. She is afraid of tests and leaves her homework until the last minute. She is like most kids, which helps her win people's hearts.

Later, as Maruko gradually learns the ways of the world, she comes across many problems. But she always finds a way to work them out. She is known for her funny and wise sayings, such as, “Leave happiness to the end in a bittersweet（苦乐参半的）life.” and “Self-reliance（自力更生）is the key to happiness.”

Though Maruko is just a kid, her idea of being true to herself shows the wisdom of an adult（成人）. Her creator may be gone, but Maruko's spirit will live on for many more years.

Billy wants to be a star chef（厨师）. This is why he’s on the Star Junior Chefs TV show.

The ten-year-old New Yorker likes cooking. He can make nice soup and salads, But there are many other children on the show, too. And they are all very good cooks.

But what must you do to be a star chef? Of course, it’s important that you like cooking and are really good at it. You must be nine years old or older. “We must wash our hands before cooking.” Billy says. “And we must not put them in our mouths. A chef doesn’t do that.”

The show, starts. Billy is excited. This time he makes tomato soup and some salads. The experts（专家）love Billy’s food.

It’s 5:00 pm. The show is over. Billy goes home with his parents happily.