Ask is an informative, high quality magazine for children that engages them as readers and learners. Since each issue is devoted to a particular theme, my students gain indepth information about a variety of topics. They are fascinated by the attractive format -- which includes wonderful photographs, illustrations, and graphic aids that are appropriate for young readers. My students have eagerly written letters to the editor and entered the bi-monthly contests. I highly recommend Ask as an excellent magazine for school libraries, classrooms, and homes.
Great Photos, Great Articles, GREAT MAGAZINE!!!
I bought Ask for my 8 year old son. I think I am as excited as he is when a new one arrives. It is very educational and brings out a little explorer in all of us. You will be so glad you bought Ask. They don't teach this stuff in school. My son wants to be a scientist when he grows up, now.
FINALLY
A magazine my children love as much as I do!!! We homeschool and love to plan lessons around all the fun articles and recommended activities. My children look forward to each and every copy. And guess what??? NO ADS!!!
Ask is amazing!
Ask Magazine is another wonderful publication from the originators of Cricket. Ask is all about arts and sciences, with each issue having one unifying theme. The recommended age range is from seven to ten, but younger fluent readers can also enjoy Ask.
Ask contains regular features as well as a variety of articles related to the central theme. "Scoops" is a two page spread of science news and discoveries. One story might be on a robotic arm, another on the acquisition of language in sac-winged bats. "Nestor's Dock" is a double page cartoon with enjoyable recurring characters. Each issue also has a contest which ties in with the theme. The water issue asks readers to design a fountain, the learning issue requests that readers design a school, and an art issue invites readers to copy their favorite work of art. Winners have their entries printed in a future issue. "Jimmy and the Bug" is another regular feature. Here, readers questions are answered in cartoon format. Questions might appear simple, "Why do lions have manes?" or more complex, " what are the rings around planets made of?" Answers are both thoughtful and informative. Every issue ends with the silly but sweet cartoon, "Marvin and Friends", on the back cover.
The "Making Art" issue of Ask includes a lovely piece on quilting traditions in rural Alabama. Many beautiful photos of quilts are displayed alongside comments from their creators. In the same edition, "Playing with Mud" showcases delicate Korean celadon pottery.
"The Liquid of Life" issue of Ask has a fascinating story on water. It covers the water cycle, water forms, a water molecule diagram, and gorgeous photographs of a water droplet, snowflake, and children and animals in various poses with rain and snow. Information offered can be quite complex, but it is just the thing for feeding hungry young intellects. This issue also has water trivia cards, with intriguing questions such as, what can go longer without water, a camel, or a giraffe? An article on water powered generators is very well done, and the issue is rounded out with a nice tour of bogs, fens, swamps, and marshes.
I'm very pleased to recommend Ask. It's funny but not obnoxious, informative but not controversial, with articles a bit shorter and lighter than those found in big brother's Muse Magazine.
Better than the rest
I started reading ASK after I had already suscribed to MUSE for less than a year. The information in ASK is just as challeging and exciting as magazines for older kids! I love the pictures, format, activities; even the font of it. Anyone who breathes, lives, and exists normally--read ASK!
My grandkids asked for this!
This is a knock-out magazine! I originally ordered it two years ago, for a 9-year-old's birthday. He and his brother (and mom) tell me they devour every issue, then save them to re-read another time. So, of course, I've renewed the subscription this year. I liked it when I first saw it in a bookstore because it has educational information and was attractive. That it also grabs the attention of kids bombarded by videos, violence, flash and passive entertainment, and gets them involved in learning - quite a feat!
Ask is a cool magazine.
I am seven years old. My favorite section is "Ask Jimmy and the Bug". The questions that kids send in are very interesting. "Marvin and Friends" is another good part of the magazine. Most of the time it's very funny. I recommend this magazine very much.
Can't get her to STOP reading it
She reads it when it comes, she reads it before bed, she even reads it in the bathroom. My 6 year old LOVES this magazine...and she really retains the information inside! During a penguin unit at school she recalled an issue from 3 months back that discussed tagging penguins. While watching an episode of myth busters where they tested swimming through syrup vs. water she told me what would happen before we saw it because she recalled reading a small blurb about the same experiment in the previous months issue....she even went back to the magazine and read me the small bullet.
Her excitement at the arrival of this magazine is on par with getting cookies in the mail. I cannot recommend this magazine highly enough. My only complaint is, how do I get her to stop reading this magazine in the bathroom when she is supposed to be getting ready for school?
Superb
This magazine takes one topic and delves into it in depth. The articles are interesting and useful. The pictures, drawings, cartoons and photographs only enhance the text. They are colorful and enriching and a child can learn simply by reading the information with the pictures. This magazine is appropriate for about 4th grade and 5th grade.
This is a great magazine and while it is a bit more expensive for a subscription than other magazines directed towards children; I would say it is worth more because it is such a good magazine.
Well worth the money. Enjoy.
Looks great but my kids didn't read it
Like all of the magazines from the folks that bring us Cricket and Spider, this is an attractive work, full of diverse types of stories and artwork. Unfortunately, however, too many of the children I know (my own included) find it uninteresting, perhaps due to the lack of recognizable characters or even the zing of advertising. It's a sad state of affairs, but I wanted to speak up and suggest that other parents/aunts/godparents maybe get a trial copy to run by the kid in question, before committing to the ongoing expenses of maintaining subscriptions here and there. Good luck all!
