My Book Corner hasn't contemplated reviewing magazines before, but considering our philosophy is to only review the very best - the BIG Kids Magazine has nestled itself perfectly in to My Book Corner.
I stumbled across the BIG website quite some time ago. I can remember a fabulous looking boat, and lots of details and plans of something BIG coming over the horizon.
Throw out all your standard conceptions of the typical magazines for kids. You know the ones; flimsy glossy pages, plastic toys which break in five minutes and the content level of a .... well, you get the picture. Now discard that and let me tell you about BIG Kids Magazine, which not only breaks that mould, it smashes it to pieces and rises above it ... very high above it.
BIG Kids Magazine is a bi-annual publication. Why? Because there is a lot in it. Loads in fact. If I now tell you that it is stocked by most of the art galleries across Australia - that should give you an idea of the quality, appeal and gorgeousness of this magazine. The very first page entitled 'Start Your Engines Here!' asks the new owner lots of questions such as 'my secret hiding place is ...' my daughter immediately scribbled her answers across the dotted lines provided, and so her ownership and interest began and grew.
This is a thick (60 pages), solid (ethically produced) magazine full to the brim of creativity and inspiration. Flick through the pages to find the unfolding story of 'Grumpilotta & Grumpilina', 'oh-so-simple steps to seeing', complete the pictorial 'adventures of boatbird', be encouraged to complete a self portrait of yourself as a bird, make an animation, fill in the little note to a bird, create an ocean. Phew! Get the picture? I've only skimmed the surface here! There's also a free artist print, guest post by the wonderfully talented Joel and endless opportunities to learn and discover .... ultimately BIG magazine encourages reading and creativity in many shapes and forms.
The BIG feature of this magazine is the effortless intermingling of contributions from children and artists. The boat logo itself is a collaboration between 8 year old Luca and Lilly an artist, all put together by Maree Oaten a graphic designer. In fact 8 year old Luca is in the prime position of Senior BIG Editor.
BIG Kids Magazine is available for purchase now at www.bigkidsmagazine.com It retails at $12.95.
