16. Ranger Rick

Ranger Rick by Mary Dalheim (Editorial Director) (National Wildlife Federation) Above: June/July 2013 issue

Genre

Magazine

Review

Ranger Rick is a nature magazine for children.  It includes a large number of glossy photographs and very little text.  There is a long comic strip, starring Ranger Rick Raccoon, about sage grouse (their habitat, their characteristics, etc.).  One particularly charming section of the magazine details what Jellyfish are not (i.e. not jelly, not fish, not huggable, not brainy).  It takes simple topics like "what is hair" and provides the science behind them.

Opinion

Ranger Rick seems clearly directed at younger children interested in science (it would be perfect for 9 year-olds; it may be too simple for 14 year-olds).  The magazine's use of glossy photos and clear text would make it a perfect choice for reluctant or struggling readers particularly those interested in animals or science.  But it might also be a good introduction to science for children who are not interested in it, as the topics are detailed in an approachable and playful way.

Ideas

The magazine would be a perfect complement to a science class for 4th or 5th grade or to any science based programming at the library (perhaps it could be coupled with Odyssey to provide reading materials for the full range of tween readers).