Dear Parents and Guardians:

Who doesn’t like cuddly panda bears? In this issue of Ranger Rick Jr. your child will see great pictures and read facts about pandas. You and your child can return again and again to enjoy them.

While looking at the cover, ask your child questions about the panda bear:

• What color are the ears? The face? The tongue?
• How is the baby panda holding on to the tree limbs?
• Would you like to learn more about this panda named Roly-Poly?

Show your child Roly-Poly with her mother on page 8. As you read about panda bears on pages 6–11, talk about your child’s life. Here are examples:

• Pages 6–7, “Roly-Poly is a special kind of bear.” —Tell your child why he or she is special.
• Page 8, “Roly-Poly and her mom live in a bamboo forest.” —Ask your child to tell you where you live.
• Page 9, “Pandas eat bamboo.” —What does your child eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?
• Page 10, “A tree is a fun place to be.” —Where does your child go to have fun?
• Page 11, “Roly-Poly likes to eat and play all day.” —Have your child tell you about favorite play times.

Ranger Rick Jr. can be used to introduce new words and ideas to your child. The article  “What’s for Dinner?” on pages 20–25 tells us what different animals eat. As you read the pages with your child, talk about these words and share more animal examples:

• Animals that eat only plants— deer, elephants, kangaroos
• Animals that eat only other animals—tigers, sharks, eagles
• Animals that eat both plants and animals—monkeys, raccoons, humans

Wishing you and your child happy holidays and a good beginning for 2019.

Mike Wilson, Founder
Prekindergarten Reading Encouragement Project
PREP – Helping childhood literacy one family at a time.
facebook.com/PREPDelaware