Advanced Children's Literature: Nonfiction/Magazines

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS. August 2008. Washington, D.C. National Geographic Society.

I didn't ride the short bus but let me tell you I learned dozens and dozens of fun facts and had trouble putting this magazine down. This was a "Special Awesome Animals Issue!" "Dolphins in Disguise" is the cover story but "20 Cool Things About Butterflies" is given an equal number of pages inside. Who would not want to read about two 2 tiger cubs rejected by their mother who ended up being "temporarily adopted" by 2 abandoned orangutans after taking the zoo keeper's lead? How cool is that, orangutans and tigers hugging, cuddling, and grooming each other. As expected, the photographs are incredible. The oversized butterfly pics are the most unique. But not only is the magazine educational, warm, and fuzzy, there are regular features such as "Video game Central," "The Green List" and "All About You." Trading cards are favorite childhood treasures and these 6 feature sand cats and a giraffe-necked weevil. There is a back to nature "funny fill-in" which works like a madlib. Kids wrote in to ask the "Pet Vet" how lost dogs find their way home and why ferrets steal things from their owners. First rate and fun filled!