What’s real—and how do we know? From dragons and lake monsters to dinosaurs and superhero science, explore how stories and new discoveries shape what we believe—and how ideas evolve.
Cover art by Lars Grant-West.
Just because something is made-up doesn’t mean we can’t learn anything from it. Legends, hoaxes, and myths can teach us a lot—including about ourselves!
Just in time for April Fool’s Day, learn about moon beavers, pasta plants, and other famous pranks that rocked the world. And don’t get fooled by pyrite—also known as Fool’s Gold! Then, meet “Wonder Engineer” Justin Flom, a professional illusionist and Sensical video creator. A magician may never reveal his secrets, but Flom can give you a few pointers to tell the difference between illusion and reality.
What’s the line between legend, theory, and fact? In the fascinating article “What Killed the Dinosaurs,” get an inside look at how science came to a consensus on mass extinction. Get to know paleontologist Caitlin Colleary as she shatters some of our own “illusions” about how dinosaurs really looked. Don’t miss the story “A Dragon for Lord Marquand,” in which a medieval lad goes searching for a dragon—but we modern-day readers may recognize his “dragon” as something else. Plus, discover the many legendary creatures from around the world and a traditional American tall tale.
Every issue of CRICKET comes with opportunities for interactive fun. Pick out the made-up news story in News or Not, read letters and stories from real CRICKET readers, travel back to prehistoric times with Parallel U, and solve an “April Fool-ish” Crossbird puzzle. This issue of CRICKET is legendary!
Enjoy features including:
· “What Killed the Dinosaurs?” by Jeanne Miller
· “A Dragon for Lord Marquand” by Justin Stanchfield
· “A Dragon’s Dilemma” by Ruth Gilmore Ingulsrud
· “Comic Book Creations” by Nick D’Alto
· “The Rut on the Road to Truth” by C.M. Andrews
· “Bo Bandit and the Steel-Driving Man” by Bethany Hegedus
· “Travel” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
· “Say What?” by Alice Andre-Clark
· “Justin Flom” by Bethany Boles
Regular features of CRICKET Magazine include Letterbox, Cricket Country, From the Editor, News or Not, Parallel U, One On One, Wordplay, History Vault, Around the World, Old Cricket Says, Last Slice, Ugly Bird’s Crossbird Puzzle, Cricket and Ladybug, Old Cricket Says, Hands On, Cricket League.
