Kids Discover

This is a non-fiction kids' magazine that highlights "science, social studies and reading (from the website). It has won several awards, Highest Achievement Children's Magazine (Golden Lamp Award), Multiyear Winner of Parent's Choice GOLD Award and Children's Periodical of the Year (AEP) *whew*. The content is in-depth and not dumbed down at all. Someone subscribed my son as a gift, at almost 5 he is a little too young to get some of it, for example, the "7 Wonders of the World" issue he loved but this month's "Civil Rights" issue was a bit heavy. I don't really see a kid just picking it up off the shelf, but if presented with it, would probably enjoy the content. There are a few puzzles and quizzes in it, and the photos are good, a little graphic but nothing for a kid who peruses National Geographic.… (meer)

Kids Discover is an ad-free, non-fiction magazine for kids ages seven through twelve. Each issue covers in-depth a topic, from a wide variety of subjects including science, history, and archeology. The October 2010 issue was about oil, likely in response to the disaster in the Gulf, giving kids a resource for something rather topical. The cover of each issue has teasers that will draw kids in, such as the issue of Mars included a blurb that invited kids to “Meet the Perfect Martian”. The issues include tons of pictures and lots of cool information that will pique kids' interest, such as movies featuring Martians, or accounts of kids who served as drummer boys during the American Civil War. Each issue also includes some fun games and activities that can be completed with the information found in the issue, and the answers on back cover. Scattered throughout the magazine are “Think Piece” boxes which encourage kids to consider an issue related to the topic at hand, with no right or wrong answer. For instance, the Mars magazine asked, “Terraforming forever changes a planet. Do we have the right to remake a planet that has been around for billions of years?” This magazine both conveys information in exciting ways and invites children to exercise their brains, making it a great non-fiction resource for elementary and early middle school.… (meer)