As a young girl, my love for reading knew no bounds. I devoured everything I could get my hands on from comic books to novels to books on space (I should have been an astronaut) to magazines. I grew to hate my middle name because the only way my mother could get my attention while I was engrossed in the pages of a good read was to shout out my first and middle name—notice I did not tell you what that was.

Magazines were especially exciting because they would come in the mail periodically. I lived for the Weekly Reader in the summertime. A friend of the family subscribed for me to the National Geographic until Mom thought maybe the pictures were a little risky for my age. Today though, there is a National Geographic for Kids. Someone saw the need and filled it. There are also tons of other magazines for kids—some good, some not so good.

I ran across a website that lists general children’s magazines. I know nothing about this company but they have quite a list and it is a good place to research what is available. I’m sure there are others if you do a Google search. Unfortunately, I could not find one place that lists as many Christian children’s magazine but if you search for “Christian girls’ magazines” you will come up with a page full. The same with boys. But don’t just look at the pretty covers and click on one to order for your grandchild. The contents may not be appropriate for your grandchild and/or in keeping with your family’s values.

To prescreen a magazine, try the library (the children’s department) for back copies or head to a large bookstore and peruse the current issue. A lot of large chains even have nice comfy chairs now where you can sit and leaf through prospective purchases. Go to the magazine’s website and see if there are past articles archived there. Do a Google search for the magazine title and add the word “review” at the end. Often if there is questionable material published in the magazine, there will be someone blogging or writing about it on a review site. Another possibility is to write to/email the magazine and ask for sample copies saying that you are considering a subscription but would like to preview their material.

When you actually have the magazine in hand, look for these sorts of things:

• Is it an area of interest to your grandchild?
• Is it age appropriate?
• Are its articles and stories tied too closely with their advertisers? In other words is the article trying to sell something rather than inform?
• Especially with girls’ magazines you want to see what sort of moral standards they may be supporting or not supporting. Also, what is the makeup and clothing like? Is it age appropriate?

Children’s magazines are a great gift idea or just a way to keep something interesting at your own home for when the grandkids come to visit. There are all sorts of adventures to be had among the pages of a good magazine—no matter what your age!

Copyright © 2008 by Karen Robbins Share

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