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Great resource!
Teaching K-8 is a terrific resource for new and veteran teachers alike.It includes both practical lesson ideas as well as current issues pertaining to education today.A must have for EVERY teacher's collection!

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Made me who I am today
I received a gift subscription to this magazine from my aunt when I was 8 years old and kept every single issue I got in the mail until I turned 18 and my mother refused to keep paying for it (it is rather expensive). I have reread the hundreds of issues I have over and over and savored every possible detail. Because of this magazine, I became a happy appreciator of quality children's literature. Cricket doesn't talk down to children but respects their natural intelligence and curiosity. Fiction stories coexist with nonfiction, poems mingle with crosswords, beautiful illustrations appear next to photographs.

There have been numerous times when I (now 23) have spouted out random facts to my friends, only to admit (with a slightly pink face) that it was from an article in Cricket magazine that I read when I was 11. But this is a good example of the staying power of this magazine. It made me an English major. It made me a literature lover. It made me order my own subscription, in spite of being out of its targeted age range.

If you have a 7-8 year old that is starting to spend more time with books than with toys, or if you'd like your 7-8 year old to spend more time with books than with toys, consider ordering Cricket.

A great way to start a lifelong passion for reading!
I was introduced to Cricket magazine through one of my teachers in early elementary school, and soon afterward my parents began a subscription for me. From then all the way up through middle school I devoured each issue cover-to-cover the moment it arrived. At first I found it a welcome challenge compared to the overly simple and mundane classroom books of the "Mac the cat sat on a mat" variety. Even after I had surpassed the magazine in my reading ability, I continued to enjoy it for the content of the stories. Even my mother loved to read it.

The magazine provides a great collection of well-selected stories that open up an entire world for the young reader, and each issue usually has a particular theme (i.e. the Middle Ages, horses, Chinese culture, food, etc.). Some of the stories are excerpted from longer pieces and some are short works in their own right. The magazine spans all genres of literature; includes both fiction, non-ficiton, and poetry; and addresses such important themes as culture, history, family and friends, growing up, and much more. Some pieces have serious and valuable morals, while others are just plain fun.

The magazine also offers book recommendations, a comic strip, a crossword puzzle, jokes, and contests for art, photography, fiction, and poetry. Moreover, each issue is beautifully illustrated. I believe the artwork in this magazine did much to inspire my own early artistic endeavors. I would highly recommend this magazine to parents and teachers alike. The stories are excellent material for young readers, and would also be great to read aloud to children. On the whole, this is a terrific blend of recreation and education! The makers of Cricket also offer other magazines for different age levels - Spider, Ladybug, and Babybug for the younger ones, and Cicada for adolescents.

Cricket continues to deliver quality
The Fong family is now a multi-generation Cricket household. I loved it as a kid and now my daughters (ages 7, 5 & 2) are enjoying every issue as well. Cricket wins on many levels. As a parent the stories, poems, games and cartoons deliver good, wholesome entertainment you won't mind reading to your kids again, and again, and again.... We save every issue and re-read our favorites regularly.

The different age level magazines Carus offers (Cricket, Spider, Ladybug and Babybug) make them great "independent reading" material as well.

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Cease Publication
I just received the last Disney Magazine. Included with the magazine was a notice about stopping publication with the Summer 2005 issue. This was a good magazine since it offered a preview of upcoming attractions and events.

I am not happy they are stopping publication. The two other magazines they offered do not target adults that are simply interested in Disney.

Disney(world) Magazine
I agree with the others here who have pointed out that this is truly a magazine about Disneyworld. The entire point of the magazine seems to be to encourage the reader to visit the Orlando half of the American Disney Empire.I have rarely seen an article on the real Disneyland.I have been very disappointed.

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Some content questionable
I was fully prepared to purchase two gift subscriptions of Babybug; however, after reading a sample issue changed my mind.Once concern was the selection of the nursery rhyme Old King Cole who "smoked a pipe" and the second was the contrasting of big and little using a pig and a wig.I would prefer not to show smoking in a book geared to such a young age group and find it unusual that a wig was chosen.These two choices by the editors in the same issue regretably caused me to reconsider and decide against the purchase of this subscription.
I

An absolute favorite at our house!
I originally got a year long subscription to Babybug when my older son (now 3 1/2) was about a year old.He absolutely adored it from the first issue.In fact, it was one of the few "books" he would sit still for.When he turned two, I got a Ladybug subscription for him, but I wish I had gotten a second year of Babybug instead.Ladybug should really be for 3 and up (not 2 and up like it suggests).Now we read our old Babybugs to my younger son who is 16 months.They have held up great (a few have been taped because of so much use!)Now that we are reading them again, my older son loves to listen to them too!

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Not a Good Choice
My 3-year and I are not impressed with this magazine. There are no bright colors or fun activities to keep her attention. It is way overpriced for the length and content. I agree with a reviewer below...it is basically the content of the dollar store puzzle books, but a lot less...just pick up a couple of dollar store preschool books and save the money.

Glorified coloring book
Disclosure:I'm writing this review on the basis of one issue only, but I don't imagine that the magazine is typically any better than this.

Turtle magazine is a fairly typical length for preschoolers, 36 pages including the covers.But then this includes ads.And a two page "Ask Dr. Cory" feature, clearly aimed at parents.Plus a two page "Turtle's Favorite Books" section, which will tantalize your child with pictures from a selected book along with a short blurb, so this is either an ad aimed at your child or a recommendation aimed at parents.

Much of the remaining pages are coloring activities, connect-the-dots, and the like.If your child likes these, you'd be better off getting a coloring/activity book from your local dollar store.If you want a higher quality magazine for your child, try Ladybug, Click or Your Big Backyard.

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Disney Adventures is just one of them...
Seriously, folks, isn't EVERYBODY tired of hearing from the same shows over and over? Yeah, yeah..Kim Possible, That's so Raven. This magizine just tries to reinforce the idea over and over just like the shows. They said in the magizine that Kim Possible is BETTER than Spongebob Squarepants...[Astonished] Look, if you are one of those kids [Or Adults] that just likes to sit in front of the TV on Saturday mornings craving these shows, than this you to hop on the Disney Cruise with this magizine and never come back. But, if you are a kid [Or Adult] like me that is more mature and wants to look at something that isn't quit so bad, I'd reccomend Nick Magizine. Disney needs to go out of business [Which we know is never ever gonna happen because they got money coming out of their butts] because they are just taking over the world. [Think about it, they got their own private island, they got their own state of the art cruise line] They probably make way more money than any other company out there.

The bottom line is just don't buy. Look at the cover and you will see what I mean.

Disney Adventures Magazine
Better then Nickelodean, but still not quite there.Too many advertisements, too less of actual reading material.Rather uninteresting comics that I prefer to skip over, and only a few really interesting pages per magazine.Celebrity interviews are nice, but almost every magazine has those.Kind of cheesy activities, and overall, just not my kind of magazine.I prefer American Girl, Highlights For Children, and Discovery Girls.They may not be considered "cool" by some people, but they're definately better quality and worth what you spend on them.

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A Fantastic Magazine
Last fall, I picked up an issue of "Discovery Girls" at Kroger.After skimming a few pages, I decided that it was worth a try, and asked my mom if she would buy it for me.I read through the entire magazine in one night, and enjoyed it very much!I bought a couple more issues after that until I finally decided that I just needed to get a subscription.I ordered at an off-time, so I ended up having to wait a couple months until I got my first issue.But boy, was it worth it!You can just imagine my excitement when I came home from playing outside and found an issue of "Discovery Girls" waiting for me!

Contained in each "Discovery Girls" magazine are:

- Information about this issue's real life "Discovery Girls".If you find that the "Discovery Girls" company is coming to your state soon, and you are between the age of eight and twelve, you could be one, too!"Discovery Girls" get to have fun and hang out together, model for pictures that will be featured in the magazine, possibly try out a new product, and spend a day at someplace fun, ranging from a salon to "Build-A-Bear Workshop".Two girls are chosen to be cover models.

- Articles giving helpful advice about things such as friendship, jealousy, getting along with siblings, and more.Unlike most magazines, "Discovery Girls" actually gives GOOD advice that will really help you with your problems.And besides the longer articles, there is also a section called "Ask Ali", where you can send in a letter to "Ali", and possibly receive an answer in a later issue.

- Plenty of room for you to speak, whether it be sharing advice with fellow readers, telling an embarassing moment, voicing your opinion about a certain topic, telling a fictional story, sharing something shocking that really happened to you, or asking questions and giving ideas to the editors.

- Lots of cool quizzes!Some are just for fun, but others can teach you a little bit about yourself.For example, featured in the most recent issue are the quizzes: "Are You a Drama Queen?", "Case Closed!" (Are you too quick to judge people?), "Which Star Could Be Your BFF?", and "What's Your Trollz Style?" ("Trollz" is a product).They are entertaining, nicely-illustrated quizzes that you will be giving to your friends.

- Sports advice.A new sport is featured each issue.Some past ones have been basketball, softball, track, and I think volleyball.I personally never read the sports advice, since dance is the only sport that I am involved in at the moment.But if "dance" is ever mentioned, I'll read every little word and detail!

- Celebrity pages.Want to know more about a celebrity?Maybe find out just how much you already know about them?Celebrity pages (ranging from quizzes involving them to interviews) are featured frequently in "Discovery Girls".

- Craft ideas, one or two comics, occasionally something along the lines of a word search, and more, meaning more fun!The crafts are unique, too!They're not all just "scissors and paper" crafts.One in particular was REALLY cute!It was making cute snack-size treats for your mom on Mother's Day.

- Opportunities to learn more about other countries and cultures.In each issue, one girl from each country is interviewed, tells a little about her life, what she likes to eat, what music she listens to, and some other things, and then there are facts such as "things that make that country unique", and "the traditional way to dress in that country".This month's country was India!

- Chances to win cool stuff, and advertisements for new books, movies, toys, clothes, and much more.There are also website names featured in certain areas, so that girls who love to surf the web and do online shopping will never get bored.

If that doesn't convince you that "Discovery Girls" is a great magazine, then it isn't the magazine for you.But I love it, and I can't wait to get my next issue!

Notes to parents:

A new issue of "Discovery Girls" comes every two months.

Some slightly older-girl content is featured in certain issues (such as "Which Bra is Right for You?").So be aware that bras and boys ARE talked about occasionally.But also be aware that there is no profanity, crude language, or anything else of the sort.

PERFECT For 8-11 year olds
I'm 13 and i think that this magazine is the "grown-up" version of American Girl but is still too babyish and boring for preteens, so 12-15 year olds try Girl's Life,it's sooooo much bettter!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Excellent!
One word does it!

I loved it as a child, my daughter loves it.Your child will to!

Helped Foster My Love and Respect for Animals
(...)

Living in the country as I did, I saw plenty wild animals in my backyard (squirrels, raccoons, possums..), but armed with Ranger Rick, I was able to appreciate and see them up close with out being bit, scratched, mauled, or hauled off to the emergency room for rabies shots!

Besides the wonderful animal features, there were projects, games, and activities to keep me and my brother busy.The concepts put forth in each issue emphasized recycling, kindness to animals, and conservation -- values and beliefs I carry with me almost 30 years after the fact.

So whether you live on a farm, the suburbs, or the city, Ranger Rick would be a wonderful gift for your child.It will help foster a life long love and respect for animals, as well as reinforce key values (conservation, recycling, etc.).A few things have changed over the past 30 years, but Ranger Rick is still consistantly a good magazine.

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We keep renewing!
This is a great magazine for preschool/early elementary kids.We have renewed it twice and enjoy watching our son learn more with each issue.The editors do a great job of publishing intersting and unique facts about many different kids of animals.

RIP OFF!!!!
I ordered a subscription for my step-son and a gift for a niece at the same time.They took my money and both of the ONE-YEAR subscriptions I paid for only resulted in ONE ISSUE to each child.I couldn't get any more information on the magazine, as we never received any more informaiton until I got an e-mail from Amazon asking me to renew.

I noticed another recent post with the same problem.The magazine was really great, and my step-son and niece both waited and waited for their next issue which never showed.

How disappointing.I wouldn't take the chance if I were you.

LDT

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BEST AROUND
I GOT THIS MAGAZINE FOR A LITTLE KID WHO I KNOW.
THE KID LOVES THE MAGAZINE TO DEATH
THE BEST PART OF THIS MAGAZINE IS THERE ARE
NO ADS. SO THE KIDS STAY FOCUS ON THE ARTICLE OF THE MAGAZINE
THERE ARE SO MANY TOPICS THAT THEY HAVE.
I'M GLAD I FOUND THE BACK ISSUES.
GREAT LEARNING TOOL FOR KIDS
GREAT FOR PROJECTS AND HOMEWORK
EVENIF I DID NOT HAVE A HOOK UP WITH THE ISSUES
I WOULD STILL BUY THIS MAGAZINE FOR KIDS
THE MAGAZINE IS ABOUT 20 PAGES LONG

one of the best educational mag's I've found
I bought this for my children and was surprised to find my husband and myself reading it as well. Not only did it come in handy for homework, but the old issues have been saved and used in projects,papers, homework and even by the teachers! I have five children, so they have had alot of exposure to diffirent age levels and have always proven usful. Some of the teachers were excited because this subscription was one that they wished that they could get every year as part of their class materials.
As an added point, while on vacation, we have spotted the back issues on sale in gift shops for as much as four ninety nine $4.99. These were issues that contained stories about the particular historic event, etc that they thought informative enough to sale.
You can't go wrong with this one!!!!!

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Enjoyed until the date on the address label (and after)
I got Ladybug for years until the date on the address label (when the subscription ended). I still enjoy reading them today. I always read them cover to cover and read some parts over and over. I especially enjoy the comics.

Quality reading - no advertisements!
Our girls received Ladybug for several years. The magazines are printed on high quality paper, but still after MANY reading, were in good shape.

A great benefit of LADYBUG is there is no advertising. The magazine is full of great illustrations, good site words and bright colors.

A great gift for your own children!

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A Great Toddler Magazine For Your Animal Lover!!!
We ordered this magazine for our son when he was one year old because he loves photographs of animals.This magazine is so cute.Each month they feature a baby animal with real photographs and a short story.The issues also include an animal fingerplay, an animal comparison (Showing your child how a particular animal is similar in one way to him or herself.), a short story about a child and his or her pet, and a picture hunt for a little skunk that is hidden four places in the magazine.Other material changes each month and feature an early childhood concept.Some months you will have counting, other months focus on a beginning sound (and all the animals that start with that sound), opposites, and other skills are introduced.What a greatintroduction to magazines.A must for every toddler that is an animal lover.My son is now 17 months and will bring his Wild Animal Baby magazine to me and sit in my lap wanted it to be read over and over.

Another plus to this magazine is that it is small for little hands (about board book size).The corners are rounded and the pages are sturdy (but not as thick as board book pages).The magazine is also glue bound so you don't have to worry about a curious toddler and staples.

Everything is good except the binding
The magazine is interesting and informative.My toddler can recognize and tell the names of many animals, she learns a lot from the magazine.
Just one thing is that the binding easily coming off after a few times of flipping.
We would like to keep the magazines and so the siblings and other kids can have the chance to read them.

I have been gluing and putting scotch tapes all over the magazines, but they still not holding up.

Hope the publisher will look into this matter and have it improved.
Thank you for your attention.

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My Daughter Loves Spider!
Posted for Maddie (age 9)

My favorite part is Spider's Mailbox and the comic strips. I read every issue four times each! There are buggies that make comments and have their own stories on the bottoms of the pages. All the buggies are funny.

If you are thinking about buying this magazine for a child you know, you should know it's mostly reading, stories, and one pull out game page in each issue. I'm sure kids everywhere will love Spider Magazine as much as I do!

Spider is always a great read
My children (7,5,2) and I always get terrific belly laughs when we read the spider cartoons aloud that appear throughout the magazine in each issue.The stories, illustrations and poetry are excellent food for young (and older)minds.But our favorite feature is the cartoons!

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Eh...
Cutesy, fluffy, but of no use to girls who actually have problems in life. When girls are at the crucial age of 11, 12, or so, and when they are just starting to discover their interests in boys, when they are just beginning their journeys towards womanhood, it is no time for them to be bombarded with information on how to kiss a boy. That comes much later.
Girls who act so mature, kissing and dating boys when they are so young, are doomed to a life of divorce and unhappiness. THey will think that every cute guy who comes along actually cares about them. Girls that age have more important things to worry about than catching a cute guy. I am very disappointed...I thought this magazine would deal with issues such as grades, building better relationships with your parents, dealing with your raging emotions. But GL is all about cute styles, bikini-worthy bodies, little blonde girls, and boys. Yuck.
That said, it does have some cute quizzes. But again, totally useless entertainment.

PERFECT For 12-15 year olds
I think this magazine is perfect for girls who "graduated" from American Girl and\or Discovery Girls, i know i sure have, it really deserves 5 stars! I loooooooooooove Girls Life!!!!!!!!

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whrjd
it's a realy cool magazine that makes learning fun.It gives you cool and fun facts

I'm going to say it again
The previous reviews have said it all...but it can't hurt to say it again...this magazine is a waste...it is filled with jokes, ads and animals frequently dressed up in silly outfits.SO SO SO disappointing because I am a huge National Geographic fan.For those who want a good quality magazine for their children, subscribe to ASK Magazine.

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Earn a Don't Read Boys' Life Merit Badge
I haven't touched this magazine in over a decade.I used to read it every time I got an issue in my parents' mailbox.Of course, by read, I mean I would skip through the articles that taught me nothing and head over to the comics.Dink and Duff were my favorite, although not laugh-out-loud funny.I recently skimmed through Webelos Woody, The Tracy Twins, Peewee Harris, and the sometimes hilarious Pedro.When I was even younger, I used to spend a *lot* of time perusing the junk pages, where you could order 8 pranks for the price of a dollar or something.

Now, as an alternative, I highly recommend going through the Boy Scout Handbooks with your kids.The Cub Scout handbooks are just as interesting as the Boy Scout ones, and they actually teach you about health, staying fit, learning knots, Fire safety, backpacking/camping tips, etc.

I don't know how the modern Boys' Life compares to the old issues, but it seems like it's fallen for the same virus as every other magazine I've stopped ordering: advertisements.

If there was an option for zero stars this would earn it!
This magazine is inundated with advertising. The few articles that do exist are saturated with trend ideals and sparcely include the moral values that the Boy Scout organization is said to imply. I am disappointed that the BS organization is willing to be associated with such junk, and supports yet another venue for exploiting funds from its particpants.

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Ride it Read it!
I love this horse magazine so much!I love the quizzes, great posters and great acticles about real people and their horse/pony.I take riding lessons but don't own a horse but still enjoy this magazine! This is a great magazine for kids ages 7-13 i think. Some people say that people over the age of 10 are too old for this magazine, but I toatally disagree!I am 11 years old and I love this magazine. This magazine I think is for any good horse lover!

Great magazine!
I really enjoy reading Young Rider, but it only comes every other month. I decided to suscribe to other magazines such as Horse Illustrated and Practical horseman so I don't have to wait two months before another horse magazine comes. i also LOVE the posters!

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Please help!
We had this for my granddaughter when she was little and we sent in one of her pictures, here it is a year and a half later and they are going to use it!If any of you get this it will be in the March April issue.Would you consider sending me that page after your child is through with that issue?I can't find a place where I can order just a couple copies of that issue.If you find an address to send for back issues would you please email me.cindyleet@gci.net

Kid's don't fake it. You know if they like it.
My four year old grand daughter likes to spend time with books and magazines.She choses this one frequently from the pile available to her.
Her favorite [...] mothergoosecaboose and this magazine gives it a run for the money.

Good short stories and activities
This magazine is expensive, but each issue contains several stories, activities like mazes, finding hidden items, and basic colors and counting. My son does not watch TV (his choice), but he likes the characters in this magazine, who are all friendly and likable to him.

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ag rox!
i am a longtime subscriber to ag and i have learned so much and had so much fun reading it. i cant wait to get my newt one. there are no ads and directed at girls between the ages of 7 and about 14 or 15. its a great magazine to give for a gift.

NOT for 12 year olds!
American Girl says it is for ages 8-12. I seriously think it should be ages 7-9 or 10. First of all, the magazine is only 6 issues a year for $23! I don't know about you, but I think that's a waste! Plus, the magazine only has 49 pages! Also, American Girl doesn't really have things girls in the older age range care about- fashion, quizzes with real meaning, and stuff like that. It seems all we ever do is make crafts, make parties, cook, look through the magazine in less than half an hour, and so on. If you have a daughter who thinks she wants this magazine, think again! It's like throwing away money and this magazine has no form of education in it. Basically the staff is trying to make sure that 7 year olds enjoy it without adding in the stuff 12 year olds like. NOT for 12 year olds, and NOT a good combination!