Zoobooks Frequently Asked Questions

If you grew up with Zoobooks, you might be wondering: Is it still around? The answer is yes! Today it is part of Ranger Rick magazines, published by the National Wildlife Federation. Our magazines are created to nurture your child’s reading skills, nature and science knowledge, and love for animals.  

What is Zoobooks? 

The Zoobooks magazine subscription delivers screen-free time, collectible issues, and trusted educational content that keeps your child engaged. If your little one can’t get enough animal trivia and wants a scientific deep-dive about their favorite species, Zoobooks is a great match. 

What age is appropriate for Zoobooks? 

Zoobooks is generally best for elementary-age kids, around 7–12 years old. 

Here is a breakdown of our magazine subscriptions by age: 

Zoobooks 

Zoobooks takes kids on a deep dive into wildlife, focusing each issue on a single animal or group of animals. 

  • Ages: 7+ 
  • Reading Level: Advanced independent reader (Lexile ~600–900L) 
  • Grade Level: 2nd–5th grade 

Ranger Rick 

Ranger Rick connects school-age children with the natural world through stunning animal photography, stories, and games. 

  • Ages: 7+ 
  • Reading Level: Fluent independent reader (Lexile ~550–850L) 
  • Grade Level: 2nd–5th grade 

Ranger Rick Jr. 

Ranger Rick Jr. introduces kids to wildlife, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of nature. 

  • Ages: 4–7 
  • Reading Level: Emerging reader (Lexile ~200–500L) 
  • Grade Level: Pre-K–2nd grade 

Ranger Rick Dinosaurs 

Ranger Rick Dinosaurs brings prehistoric animals to life through colorful illustrations, fun facts, and time-travel adventures for kids. 

  • Ages: 4–7 
  • Reading Level: Early reader (Lexile ~200–500L) 
  • Grade Level: Pre-K–2nd grade 

Ranger Rick Cub 

Ranger Rick Cub gives toddlers a first look at the wonderful world of animals. 

  • Ages: 0–4 
  • Reading Level: Read-aloud / picture-based learning (pre-literacy) 
  • Grade Level: Infant–Pre-K 

No matter your child’s age, there’s a Ranger Rick magazine that’s just right.  

What is the difference between Zoobooks and Ranger Rick magazine subscriptions? 

You may have noticed that both our Ranger Rick and Zoobooks magazine subscriptions serve the same age group: curious kids ages 7 and up. While both spark wonder about animals and the natural world, each takes a different approach to learning and exploration: 

Zoobooks magazine delivers in-depth, fact-packed explorations of animal species and ecosystems. Each issue dives into the science (habitats, anatomy, behavior, and conservation) brought to life through detailed illustrations and expert explanations. It’s perfect for kids who crave knowledge, love to memorize animal facts, and want to know why creatures act the way they do. 

Ranger Rick magazine, on the other hand, makes wildlife personal and exciting. Through breathtaking photography, storytelling, comics, games, and outdoor activities, it invites kids to imagine, play, and explore nature right where they live. The tone is fun, friendly, and designed to inspire real-world curiosity. 

Together, Ranger Rick and Zoobooks make the perfect pair, combining storytelling and science, imagination and information. Each issue offers original, one-of-a-kind content you won’t find anywhere else. 

Quick Magazine Subscription Comparison: Zoobooks vs. Ranger Rick 

 Zoobooks magazine subscription Ranger Rick magazine subscription 
Best for Ages  6-127-10 (with Cub for 0–4, Jr. for 4–7) 
Focus  In-depth animal facts, charts, lifecycles, scientific detailStorytelling, wildlife photography, comics, hands-on activities 
Tone & Style Informative, fact-rich, detail-orientedFun, adventurous, approachable  
Learning Approach  Deepens knowledge and satisfies animal “super-fans”Builds curiosity, empathy, and outdoor exploration 
What Kids Say  “I learned so many animal facts!”“It’s fun to read!” 
How often do the magazines come out?  9 print issues per year10 print issues per year 

Can you give Zoobooks or Ranger Rick as a gift? 

Absolutely. In fact, gift subscriptions are one of the most popular ways parents, grandparents, and other family members and caregivers share these magazines. It’s a screen-free gift that keeps arriving in your child’s mailbox throughout the year, and it taps into the nostalgia some grownups feel from reading Ranger Rick or Zoobooks when they were kids themselves. 

What makes Ranger Rick different from other kids magazines? 

There are so many great kids magazines out there covering fun and interesting topics, Ranger Rick stands apart because: 

  • Designed to grow with your child, offering multiple titles for different ages. Starting from Ranger Rick Cub for toddlers to Ranger Rick Jr., Ranger Rick, Ranger Rick Dinosaurs, and Zoobooks for older readers. Each title builds on the last with age-appropriate stories, visuals, and activities that evolve alongside your child’s curiosity and reading skills. 
  • Longest running kids nature magazine with nearly 60 years of trust from families, caregivers, and educators. 
  • 2025 National Parenting Product Awards Winner and recognized by Wirecutter, Parents’ Choice Gold, Teachers’ Choice for the Family, Association of American Publishers Revere Awards, and more. 
  • Published by the National Wildlife Federation, whose mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world. Each Ranger Rick magazine supports that mission by inspiring children to love, understand, and protect nature through fun, educational storytelling and real-world conservation themes. 
  • Packed with science, reading and literacy, the arts, geography, and other age-appropriate activities that get kids outdoors and curious about the natural world around them. 
  • Stories from our print magazine pages about animal behaviors and habitats are brought to life through enriching bonus online videos, quizzes, and printables 

Where can you buy Zoobooks or Ranger Rick? 

You’ll find Zoobooks magazine subscriptions available to buy directly in our online shop. Every purchase supports Ranger Rick and the mission of the National Wildlife Federation. 

👉 Ready to explore subscriptions? Check out the full family of Ranger Rick magazines here