Group Images - Lorin Thompson's Work

Lorin Thompson was Ranger Rick’s original artist when the magazine debuted in 1967. He worked on Ranger Rick from 1967 to 1982 as the artist for Ranger Rick’s Adventures. During that time, he portrayed Rick and cast in earthy watercolor based paint styles, giving them a natural charm found in painted murals. Thompson gave the characters much detail and throughout the years, they were drawn from all sorts of angles, in all sorts of situations, and Thompson was able to do it impeccably.

Represented below are some of the characters from Ranger Rick, drawn by Lorin Thompson in various issues of the magazine during his tenure with the National Wildlife Federation. Individual character pictures have been digitally cut from the adventure story they originally appeared in. Some pictures of the characters in group shots are not removed from their background due to the fact the loss of the environment would make for an unusual crop.

All photos are © the National Wildlife Federation, 1967-1982, used with permission.

All drawings are by Lorin Thompson.

Ranger Rick and Ollie Otter just chillin'.

Zelda Possum, Sammy Squirrel, Ollie Otter, and Ranger Rick staring at...something.

Ranger Rick and Ollie Otter gazing over the surf.

Ranger Rick and Ollie Otter get a ride home.

Ranger Rick and Ollie Otter are shocked at what they see!

Becky Hare and Chester Chipmunk tell readers to recycle all bottles!

Say what?

Oh, Becky, that's nice.

Zelda says Ollie sure could use a bath!

Wait, you have to wait, you can't miss the great bald eagle we met during the bicentennial of 1976!

What does yellow look like again? I'm colorblind.

Do your part......clean up your mess!

I don't believe Ollie will be winning any log-rolling contests anytime soon! (I actually forgot why Rick has that huge rock in his paws! :-p )

You don't say? ......

Why is it nobody else in Deep Green Wood gets fanmail?

That is one tall tree!

What do you mean you can't see over people's heads?

I see Ollie trying to swim like a sea otter!

That compass does NOT work! Group Shots from Story Scenes

Rick and the Gang clean up Clear Creek.

Ollie Otter gets the scare of his life when he meets up with Mama Bear and cubs.

Ranger Rick and Ollie Otter address the group about problems going on in the forest (text has been removed from the photo).

Ranger Rick meets with Ranger Tom. This was one of the most unusual scenes because we never gather that the animals can speak with humans.

But Ranger Tom shows up again to school the animals in insects that chomp down on tree leaves.

Wise Old Owl, Ranger Rick, and Ollie Otter dressed up in colonial-style uniforms to celebrate the bicentennial of 1976.

Ollie Otter shows why he's the best snowball thrower in Deep Green Wood.

Becky.....you never told us you could walk on snow!

Some of the gang on a sled, having a grand old time! (wish it scanned better!)

Hey, can we join in and play dogpile too?

What do you mean we cannot build a fire here?

As you come around this corner you will see the great banana tree, which is my favorite!!!

Ollie....we don't want any fish. We're not looking for live animals for the ring toss.

No way.....there's an ice cream truck just over that hill? Wait for us!!!!

Oooh...they're getting us shrimp for dinner tonight!

Awww shi---crud. Rick why didn't you tell me the pond looked like this?

Apparently all the animals have boating licenses, because they actually drive it during the adventure.

Woah, don't ever eat the salmon here mate! It’s bad enough to make you gag!

What? Surely that harmless weasel isn't going to eat your eggs. See how nice he is?

You can't be serious....he's your cousin?

No more scary movies for you....we heard you squealing in your sleep halfway across the forest!

I swear Rick, I only had a sip of water......it only lasted five seconds!

The situation: the gang during an earthquake in California.

Rick and the Gang went to a land down under to visit a Koala. Critters on a plane! Maybe the in-flight movie was Born Free.

Frances Flicker's class is in session. Makes you wonder if any of the gang had mates or kids. We know Zelda did.

Funniest picture I've ever come across from Thompson.....SPLAT!!!!

One of the best for last: one of the most realistic drawings I've seen in a Ranger Rick story (my opinion of course!).