Do you happen to come across print magazines for tweens and teens today? My earliest nostalgic memories are about the times when I would visit neighbourhood kiosk with my father, to buy magazines. Of course, travelling by train to my native place in the holidays, I would run excitedly to the A.H.Wheeler kiosk that sold books, magazines and newspapers for young and old. I would get to choose a bundle and it was these very same magazines that made journeys engaging and fun. I loved to read, be it books or magazines and there were wonderful child friendly ones on display. Darting my eyes left, right and centre I would select many, i.e. Champak, Chandamama, Tinkle, Target. With a smile and twinkle in the eyes I would shift through the pages marvelling at the colourful informative content inside. Indeed, it was a magical world where I could spend hours reading stories about princes, princesses, animal, trivia, replicate the art and craft activities, solve the puzzles and quiz, connect with pen pals all across India and also get to exchange issues with my friends.
Today too, there are many magazines for young kids, tweens and teens in English and regional languages. Yes, print magazines for tweens and teens may not appear to us in as apparent a manner as they did in the past. But, they exist. And, they are good. Children can be aware and devour all the printed stories and articles which their keen mind wants to know.
Agreed that the print magazines are facing competition from digital magazines and online content. Just by the click of a button pages and pages of content comes up on the screen. Children prefer the interactive animated, graphic fast paced social media. But their attention span cannot stay in one place for long. With continued staring at the screen there is eye strain and a slouch in posture. Searching for a particular topic leads you from one link topic to another. There are connectivity and downloading issues too.
Hence, a magazine subscription is an ideal solution for young readers today. These publications can be shared with friends or sent for recycling once read. Print magazines are an ideal gift giving idea, for a celebratory occasion like a birthday or as a return gift.
Here’s a list of print magazines for tweens and teens, classified by genre.
SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT
BBC KNOWLEDGE: This is for young inquisitive minds where well researched, handpicked stories with breathtaking visuals cover science, history and nature. Subscription website: www.bookstok.com
SANCTUARY CUB is a bi-monthly magazine covering wildlife and nature for children. It helps in fostering love and appreciation for nature and a need for conservation among the youth today.
OYLA is a monthly scientific magazine for children and their parents. The focus and content is based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Children will learn about amazing discoveries and the universe; complex subjects are explained in a simple way.
TELL ME WHY by Malayala Manorama is a monthly reference resource knowledge magazine for students and it helps in school projects and assignments. In each issue a topic is explained in detail and comprises of 100+ questions and answers on it. www.bookstok.com/indiamags.com
EDUCATION AND CAREER
Education World a monthly magazine in the field of education for young and teachers.
Competitive Success Review: This is an immensely popular magazine for students preparing for competitive exams in different areas in India.
GENERAL
Intellyjelly Senior is a monthly magazine for children, 8 to 12 years. It is a mélange of colourful and vibrant stories, activities and comics. It also combines fun with scientific research and analysis. They have a magazine for the visually impaired children giving them the opportunity to read and help them connect to the world.
Chandamama was one of the oldest few magazines which with its stories lays emphasis on the importance of mythology and inculcating good values in children. It thereby keeps our heritage and culture alive. It is appropriate for children 7 to 12 years. You could get past print issues here.
Children’s World is a monthly magazine in English started by Shankar Pillai of Children Book Trust. It has stories, articles and writings by children, budding as well as established authors. It has activities and quizzes and prizes are given for correct answers. Contact them for details on current subscription plans.
Highlight Champs is a monthly for children 6 to 12 years. It offers entertaining stories, puzzles, games, quizzes, experiments, arts and crafts
NEWSPAPERS FOR CHILDREN
There are many newspapers in circulation all over India offering daily current news and articles on various segments. When young, parents try to get their children to read daily news of India and the world. They too need to be informed as to what is happening all around them. But most times the content is not age appropriate or child friendly with many a gory images and news. Hence the efforts to customize newspapers to suit the needs of school going children, putting up only relevant content in the field of news, entertainment, sports, science and environment.
ROBIN AGE: An award winning Indian newspaper for children ages 4 to 15 years. It is filled with current news, general knowledge and activity sheets and a few pages dedicated to Junior Robin Age with interactive content, puzzles and games. It is delivered every fortnight.
THE YOUNG WORLD from the Hindu Newspaper offering a children’s supplement. It is published on Fridays and offers children new ways to learn about science, history, entertainment and other topics including challenging puzzles, arts and crafts and more.
NIE from the Times of India is a customised children’s newspaper exclusively for students.It started as a novel program that helps students ‘Stay Ahead’ and aims at making ‘Learning Fun’. Content wise it packs a powerful punch and publishes relevant current affairs, provides diverse activities and events. Subscription website: [email protected]
KIDS AGE founded by Sajid Saiyad is a newspaper for children from playschool to grade 8. It offers news and interactive space through games, puzzles and stories apart from covering a range of subjects from science to aptitude. Children can get their work published and win prizes. They have won many awards including the prestigious ‘Limca Book of Records’.
There are many magazines for the little ones too. Parents can choose to subscribe to Champak, Magic Pot, Highlights Genies, Toot, Kids Explore and enjoy hours of fun reading, solving puzzles and entertaining trivia.
Having worked as the librarian of a school for many years, I used to be overjoyed when the school students would approach the magazine and newspapers racks during their library period. They would choose issues old and new, read thrilling short stories, discuss themed articles amongst friends, solve the general knowledge questions, writing down simple recipes to try out at home and trying to keep abreast with what was happening around the world. A few would borrow issues to take home A few would note down the address for individual subscription. I long to see more of that happening not only in school libraries but also at home! With this resource-filled article about print magazines for tweens and teens I think many more young adults might just get inspired to read print magazines again!
