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Children's Magazine Subscriptions

Magazines can tempt many young readers into reading for pleasure and there are some brilliant ones available for today’s children. We’ve been trying out a range of children’s educational magazines with an eye to finding the most fun and interesting publications for you to subscribe to. Here we share our favourite fact-filled or story-packed magazines for children. 
Magazine subscriptions for kids

Whizz Pop Bang

In a nutshell:
A science-based monthly magazine aimed at 6-11 year olds. Each issue has a different theme (we sampled the science of ponds, the science of rocks and minerals and the science of grass) and the pages are packed with relevant articles, experiments, fact files, images and puzzles. 

What we liked:
We loved the eye-catching style and variety in the page design,  mixing illustrations, small chunks of text, diagrams and photographs with more interactive elements like hands-on experiments and quizzes. The content is also aligned to the UK curriculum, with additional lesson packs available online. 

Most suitable for:
Science-loving children in KS2.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

Aquila

In a nutshell:
A colourful and educational general-interest magazine for inquisitive children who like discovering new things and taking on new challenges. Features include information articles, how-to guides, puzzles, stories and feedback from readers. Each issue has its own theme, such as ‘The Earth’ or ‘Discover Dogs’. 

What we liked:
We loved the interesting range of topics selected for each issue, mostly drawing on subjects of science, history, geography and general knowledge. We also liked the space given to letters, photographs, artwork and jokes sent in by young readers, giving the readership a real sense of community. 

Most suitable for:
Curious readers aged 8-12 who are intrigued by learning new things and want to connect with a likeminded community.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

The Week Junior

In a nutshell:
A popular weekly current affairs magazine with a more ‘grown-up’ feel than the other magazines on our list, aimed at children aged 8-14. Each issue is jam-packed with content, providing excellent value for money, and covers up-to-date news and events as well as information about animals, nature, science, books, sport, technology, films, recipes and puzzles.

What we liked:
We liked the matter-of-fact tone of the news articles, often covering big topics in an age-appropriate way. We also enjoyed the colour photographs and the pinboard-style layout of the spreads, with several snippets of news and information on each page. This makes The Week Junior the kind of magazine that suits readers who enjoy browsing or dipping in and out of their magazines, as well as those who no doubt read cover to cover. 

Most suitable for:
Mature KS2 readers who like to stay informed about the world around them. 

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

Storybox

In a nutshell:
An engaging monthly magazine aimed at younger children, offering a selection of stories written and illustrated by top authors and artists from all around the world. The publication is designed to help adults to share the joy of reading to children, and also contains non-fiction, comic strips and puzzles to enjoy together.

What we liked:
There’s a lovely selection of different story types in each issue – with one longer text followed by a few simple information texts, short stories, comic strips, wordless picture stories and simple puzzles. Each section is highly illustrated and designed for an adult to enjoy reading together with a child.

Most suitable for:
Children aged 3-7 who enjoy sharing storytime with a grown-up, or adults who are looking to create special storytime experiences with little ones.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

NB: Using the code BooksForTopics will give 5% off your entire purchase all year round.

Eco Kids

In a nutshell:
An award-winning magazine covering topics of nature, wildlife and the environment. The magazine is plastic-free, ad-free and 100% recyclable. Each issue is themed around a different topic (we sampled Amazing Equines, Winter Wildlife, Cool Canines and Rainforests).

What we liked:
The presentation is engaging, as is the range of content (including information pages, comic strips, fact files, crafts and puzzles), and the magazine hits the mark well in its pitching for the target audience of 7-11 year olds. There’s plenty to read, but never too much text on a page, and the articles are accompanied by illustrations and photographs. Subject-specific vocabulary is helpfully highlighted and explained in glossary boxes. 

Most suitable for:
Conservation-minded children who are interested in the natural world.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

Science+Nature

In a nutshell:
A packed-to-the-brim monthly science and nature magazine from the team behind The Week Junior. A mixture of articles, news, experiments, photographs, star maps and puzzles designed for STEM loving 8-15 year olds. 

What we liked:
We loved how packed with information the pages were and the range of interesting content (our sample issues explored how roller coasters work, what square fish look like, how to build a boom box and how a real-life jet suit works). There’s much in the magazine to educate, inform, entertain and inspire. 

Most suitable for:
Mature readers with an interest in science and the natural world.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

Storytime

In a nutshell:
A story based magazine containing a mixture of illustrated short stories, fairy tales, myths & legends, poems and puzzles.

​What we liked:
We enjoyed the focus on reading for pleasure as well as the little extras that accompany each story, like quiz questions of search-and-find challenges in the illustrations. It’s very well set up for families sharing stories together and the range of tales included will keep story time fresh and interesting.

Most suitable for:
Families looking to enjoy storytimes together or independent readers aged 5-8. It would also make a good addition to a school library’s magazine collection.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

The Pheonix Comic

In a nutshell:
A weekly comic-based story magazine aimed at 7-14 year olds.

What we liked:
We enjoyed the range in subject matter, including historical adventures, humorous romps, fantasy tales and nonfiction strips too. Quality illustrations from well-respected creators make The Pheonix Comic an appealing and enjoyable read that will leave readers looking forward to the next installment of their favourite characters’ escapades.

Most suitable for:
Story lovers aged 8-12, especially readers looking for graphic novel style content rather than longer chunks of text.

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

National Geographic Kids

In a nutshell:
A child-friendly version of the National Geographic, with a focus on wildlife, the environment and nature.

​What we liked:
We enjoyed the inspiring high quality photographs showing close-ups and panned out scenes of life in the natural world around the globe. Added interest is drawn through posters, quizzes, crafts, book reviews and puzzles.

Most suitable for:
This magazine is a winner for children interested in animals and habitats around the globe.​

See Inside:
Click here for sample content.

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Your Review

Stone Girl Bone Girl

review

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?

Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?

yes

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Curriculum links (if relevant)

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