September 2019

English Parent Reading Guide

Dear Parents and Guardians:

As you look at Ranger Rick Jr. with your child, ask him or her to name the animals. Children like to show how many animals they recognize.

You’ll find a story about gorillas on pages 6–14 of the magazine. Here are some ways to share the article with your child.

  • Ask your child to point to the back of the father gorilla on page 7 and tell you the color of his fur. (Male gorillas are named for their silver backs). What other colors can your child name on this page? (Examples include green leaves, black fur, orange and blue boxes, yellow picture frame, and purple type.)
  • art by Johnny Yanok

    On page 9 you learn that gorillas eat “…leaves, roots, fruits, and flowers.” Ask your child what leaves, roots, and fruits he eats. Answers could be lettuce, carrots and apples. Talk with your child about other examples of leaves, roots, and fruits people eat: spinach, potatoes, peanuts, oranges, bananas. Writing a list of the foods will help extend your child’s learning beyond the magazine.

  • Ask your child how many adult gorillas are in the illustration on pages 12–13. Ask her to count the young gorillas. Then have her count all the gorillas. Write down the numbers 4, 5, and 9. Then encourage your child to practice writing the numbers.
photo by Winfried Wisniewski / Minden

Show your child the animals working together on pages 20–25. Teamwork helps flamingo parents watch each other’s chicks, penguins keep each other warm, and pelicans gather food.

Ask your child if she belongs to a team. If this is difficult for her to answer, you can suggest a play group, a sports team, or her family. Emphasize that people, as well as many animals, get more done—and have more fun—when they work together.

Enjoy the cooler weather with your family.

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