ladybug

My nearest library doesn't carry Highlights because "there are a lot of activities and it would get written in." I thought this was funny since Highlights supposedly discourages writing in their mags. (I was going to read back issues.) So I picked up some issues of Ladybug. Turns out, I'm much more entertained by the writing in Ladybug. Of course I'm an adult, but I think children have much of the same sense of humor as us. I also found it more literary. However, they take 6 months to get back to you and pay on publication instead of acceptance.
I guess my question is, if you were going to submit to a children's mag for the first time, which would you choose? Highlights, Ladybug, another one?

Any good experiences with Ladybug? Does it bother you that they use a lot of talking animal characters?

I am going to submit to both. I was just wondering if anyone who has worked with both has any comparisons. I hope I didn't offend anyone. I still like Highlights, but I was just struck at how differently Ladybug reads.