Parent Reading Guide
April 2014
Our monthly reading guides help enhance your Ranger Rick Jr. subscription by
recommending ways you can use the magazine to encourage a strong foundation
for your child’s literacy development.
There is so much to read about the upcoming spring season in this month’s issue of
Ranger Rick Jr. I learned about various animals as well. I know this sure sparked my
interest to find out more about anteaters, ducks, and beavers!
This month, our focus article will be Bonnie and Chester: Spring Showers! on page 6.
Bonnie and Chester’s stories are so much fun because they use pictures to explain
some of the words. As you read, have your child say the names of the pictures.
You and your child can create short stories using the same idea!

First, start by talking about the beginning, middle, and end of the story
with your child.

Then, invite him/her to help you write down the words of the story. When
there is a word that is a bit more difficult to spell, have your child draw in
a picture of that word instead!

When you have finished writing your story, make a cover page and include yourselves as the authors
and illustrators. Bind your pages together using string, staples, or tape! Now you have created your
very own book with your child, a great way to develop a strong concept of reading materials.
Here is a challenge when writing your story: try to make some of the words rhyme! First, you might need to
improve on rhyming skills by playing either, or both, of the games below:
1. Walk around the room with your child. Have him/her point to an object and then try to think of a word that
rhymes with it. Take turns to model how a rhyme works. For example, if you see a chair you might say, “hmm,
ch-air rhymes with h-air, hair!”
2. Teach words that rhyme by saying two words, sometimes that rhyme and sometimes that do not. Have your
child put his/her thumb up if they do rhyme and down if they do not. For example: say “cat and hat” and your
child should do thumbs up. Next, say “run and car” and your child will put his/her thumb down.
These games are short and flexible! You do not need any materials to play. They are great for times when you
need to fill a few extra minutes, such as waiting in a doctor’s office or in line at the grocery store. Squeezing in
engaging literacy games at times such as these make it exciting for your child!
Prepared by Ellie Tunison
Prekindergarten Reading Encouragement Project (PREP) Intern
Early Childhood Education Major, University of Delaware
PREP - Helping childhood literacy one family at a time.
facebook.com/PREPDelaware