There are now so many wonderful independent kids magazines to choose from...
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| OKIDO |
The inimitable OKIDO gets first mention, of course. Combining stunning design AND scintillating science for the very small, Okido aims to engage kids aged 3 years upwards in a host of activities, games, stories (and a poem) led by regular characters such as Squirrel Boy and Yoga Monkey. Okido has been going for over 8 years and is onto its 33rd brilliant issue. This arts and science kids magazine has also spawned a series of books published by Thames & Hudson, as well as a whole range of illustrated fiction and non-fiction by several of its regular contributors, such as Maggie Li, Alex Barrow and me and Okido co-founder Rachel Ortas, drawer/creator of Messy Monster. P.S. Okido has also got a 52 episode animated narrative show coming out on Children's BBC (CBeebies) next year. Whatever next?!
Okido may be one of the senior mags but the very first kids mag trailblazer STILL going strong is 'new-look' AQUILA for kids aged 8-12, which has been stimulating little & BIG brains for over 20 years with fascinating stories and features on history, science, English and geography. Straight-up, does what it says on the tin - fact-packed and fascinating - gotta love it!
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| ECO Kids planet |
Newest kid on the block is Eco Kids planet: making science and nature from across the globe accessible to kids everywhere. Colourfully designed to engage from page one right through to the end, crammed with fun facts, stories and articles, Eco Kids planet always keeps an eye on eco-sense.
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| STEW |
Stew (the magazine 'for curious kids') is a natural follow-on from Okido for age 8 upward. A creative mix of stories, features, facts and fiction, and illustrated by a host of talented young artists, this "imaginative and witty" (Daily Telegraph) magazine is gathering pace and looks set to be around for a long time...
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| THE LOOP NEWSPAPER |
The Loop newspaper is 'soop'er-designed in clean, modern graphics - a visual treat for very young kids it encourages creativity and making.
The Phoenix has risen from the ashes and is still going strong! More of a graphic novel mix than a magazine, this comic packed with fantastically illustrated stories just keeps 'em coming out each and every week - amazing, riveting, rich.
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| the PHOENIX |
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| JUMP! MAG |
JUMP magazine is an online mag but I'm including it here because it's fab and I wish they'd make a parallel paper version! A magazine that promotes the very best version of 'girl-power' this encourages its readers to question, write, contribute to and enjoy the world as informed, strong and empowered young people. Casting its net across the globe, Jump is a savvy mix of interesting features that cover all areas.
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| ANORAK |
Last but by no means least, comes Anorak. Anorak published its first issue just a few weeks before the very first Okido. Both magazines burst onto the then sparsely-populated independent kids mag scene in a shower of awesome creativity. Despite the fact that Anorak really is the most natural follow-on magazine to Okido in look and feel, even sharing some of the same illustrators, it has more of a commercial edge that includes a wee bit of advertising. Billed as 'the happy mag for kids' it's a fun-packed roller-coaster of a read.
P.S. any more kids mags out there you know and love?
Answers on a postcard to: gabbydawnay@gmail.com
