Tag: magazine

Alphabet Soup Issue 1

Do you have a young writer at your house? If so, the seven dollar investment in a copy of new children’s magazine Alphabet Soupis well worth considering.

Alphabet Soup is a twenty our page colour magazine, with a range of content likely to appeal to children aged 6 to 12, especially those with an interest in writing. This debit issue includes an interview with children’s author Jackie French, book reviews, stories and poems and lots of kids writing. There is also a writing competition, writing advice and a nonfiction piece about the workings of a Bushfire Brigade.

There are no gimmicks in the form of glittery toys or enticements to buy the magazine – this is simply a magazine which offers children something to read an encouragement to write. As such it deserves to be read and to do well in a tough market.

Alphabet Soup Magazine, edited by Rebecca Newman
Alphabet Soup Publishing
Available online from www.alphabetsoup.net.au.

Children's Magazine Review: Tibbidy

Tibbidy is a glossy new 32 page magazine for young children. It includes stories, puzzles and many other activities. In this first, beach-themed, edition there are four stories, two by Jackie Hosking, one by Janette Brazel and the fourth by George Ivanoff. Two are in verse, one is set in a graphic format (we used to call them comics), and the fourth is in a more traditional narrative format. Illustrations for stories and activities are by various illustrators (in a variety of styles) but all are bright and colourful. Activities suggested can be completed with items found in or around most homes. Tibbidycontains no advertising. It also links to a website where there are sample story pages and some activities.

Tibbidy is a lovely looking magazine. It feels good to hold. The magazine is of sturdy paper and a size perfect for being read alone or for sharing with a older reader. From the bright-coloured ‘pick-me-up’ cover to the build-your-own rock pool activity inside the back cover, producer Kirsty Gautheron has put together a wonderful package. The stories are engaging, the illustrations full of extra tit-bits for the reader (or pre-reader) to find. There are a wide range of imaginative activities with something to appeal to every taste. The magazine is to be produced quarterly and is available from selected retailers (although I couldn’t find details of these), or online at www.tibbidy.com.au (order the print edition or download the printable edition).

 

Tibbidy, produced by Kirsty Gautheron
2008 ISBN: 9771835001005

Page Seventeen, Issue 1

Born of a frustration at the lack of publishing opportunities for new and emerging writers, Page Seventeen is a new twice-yearly collection of short stories, poetry, photographs and illustrations by Australian creators.

Independently produced by Celapahene Press, the publisher set up by writers Kathryn Duncan and Tiggy Johnson expressly to create this opportunity for Australian writers, the 132 pages of this volume offer an eclectic mix of different genres, forms and styles. What is common between pieces is the quality of the writing which has been well-chosen and well blended, with each new offering different from the one previous, but not jarring in its difference.

The binding and presentation of the volume is attractive, with a coloured cover and black and white photographs and illustrations peppered throughout. Contributor biographies are included at the end of the book.

This is an venture which is worthy of support. Submission and purchasing details are available at the Page Seventeen website.

Page Seventeen, Issue 1, edited by Tiggy Johnson and Kathryn Duncan
Celaphene Press, 2005