Comments (5)

By Mom Unplugged, March 9, 2010 1:36 pm

I get tons of offers to review all sorts of odd things: snack foods (no thanks), prenatal vitamins (not pregnant), infant video games (did you read the title of my blog?), celebrity this and celebrity that (my interest in celebs = ZERO). Do any of these marketers actually READ my blog first? I rarely accept a review offer.

Well, a while ago I got a very nice email about a publication that sounded pretty good and well-matched to Unplug Your Kids. Blue Lake Children’s Publishing wanted to know if I would be interested in reviewing their bi-monthly “magazine” (really more like a little book) for 2-6 year-old pre and early readers. The magazine is called Tessy & Tab, and after checking out their website, I decided that my 4 year-old and I might like to give it a try.

The verdict? We love it!

As I mentioned before, Tessy & Tab is more like a small stiff paperback book than an actual magazine. This is helpful if you have destructive little-ones! But as Heather of Blue Lake explained, “kids like the word ‘magazine.” Your preschooler will love getting their own “magazine” twice a month in the mail.

The main characters of Tessy & Tab are a duck named Tessy and a kangaroo…obviously named Tab. Each 14 page issue features Tessy and Tab doing fun things that children will enjoy learning about, or are perhaps familiar with. My packet included issues about flying kites, ice skating lessons, learning to write, making pizzas, a yoga lesson, and crafting jewel mugs.

The subject matter was very interesting to my 4 year-old and the bright and simple illustrations were fun for her too. The text is basic and the font is large, dark, and easy to read. My daughter was pleased that she could sound out some of the words herself, and LOVED the part where she got to do an “I Spy” finding different pictures and words that appeared throughout the story. I think she sat quietly on the sofa for at least half an hour working on her packet of Tessy & Tabs.

From a parent point of view, I like the following:

• Each issue is based on the Six Skills for Early Literacy: 1) Print Motivation (kids LOVE getting mail!) 2) Print Awareness (a word in the text always appears somewhere in the illustration) 3) Building Vocabulary (learn words by recognizing pictures) 4) Narrative Skills (…a beginning, a middle, and an end…) 5) Letter Knowledge (a featured letter every month) 6) Phonological Awareness (emphasis on syllables and rhymes).

• I can do more than just read the content aloud. There are also a few activities, some of which my 4 year-old can do on her own.

• The featured letter and number are useful bi-monthly teaching tools that might especially be helpful for homeschoolers.

• There are three “Story Questions” at the end of each issue. The questions check to see if your child remembered and comprehended the story (there are visual hints too). A good introduction to the idea of “reading for comprehension” which they will face for many, many years to come in school.

• Twice a month is ideal in my mind for publications geared to children so young. Although it flies by for us grown-ups, a full month’s wait is a Very-Long-Time when you are 4ish.

• The website has printables, learning games, and activities that go along with each issue.

And last, but DEFINITELY not least!!!

• Tessy & Tab has no advertising. I don’t have to endure tortured requests for Disney princess fruit snacks or Sponge Bob sneakers after we read an issue.

I have subscribed.

If you decide to subscribe and like this magazine, please tell your friends about it. If you have a blog, please write about it.

Blue Lake Publishing is a low budget operation and it does not accept advertising. I really respect this attitude and I wish them well. I also thank them for bringing Tessy & Tab to my attention!

LINKS: How does the Tessy & Tab Reading Club Work?

Comments (4)

By Mom Unplugged, March 18, 2007 12:37 pm

It is another lovely day here in the Arizona mountains, but cold air and a winter storm are headed our way. We need to enjoy this warm weather while it lasts, so today is a great day to be outside on the deck with a cup of tea, some magazines, a pollen-filtering mask and a big bottle of Claritin. What a perfect time for that magazine post that I have been planning!

In general, I am not a fan of “mom” magazines. When I read the big-name magazines, I feel belittled, inadequate, talked down to, stupid. I dislike the “Must Have Toys” sections, obviously sponsored by major manufacturers like Fisher Price and which feature all the loud, flashy, obnoxious toys I hate. I do not spend my days wondering how to decorate the perfect cupcake or whether my little ones are following the latest trends in kiddie fashion (am I supposed to?).

For those of you looking for some alternatives, check out the following:

Wondertime (“Celebrate Your Child’s Love of Learning”): Pretty new publication, unfortunately dubbed by the New York Times at its debut as a “magazine for education-obsessed parents of the very young”. As a parent who obviously cares about education, I find this target audience description to be rather demeaning. However, I have looked at one issue of Wondertime, and it is not bad (See? I guess I AM the target audience!). There was some thoughtful content and the photography was appealing. Although it is put out by Disney Publications, I saw not one single “Disney Princess” or Baby Einstein product. Wondertime has just been nominated for an “Ellie.” If you are not ready for anything too radical, start here. This one seems a little more mainstream than the other two I suggest.

Brain Child (“The Magazine For Thinking Mothers”): I used to subscribe to this one, but it piled up unread and fell victim to my magazine subscription tidy-up. Brain Child is radically different from the traditional “Mom magazine.” Three or four years later, I still remember a fascinating article about a women’s prison and its revolutionary new child-care program. The articles are sometimes edgy, often controversial, but they do promote thought and debate.

Mothering (“Natural Family Living”): I have only looked at this one a few times. I like a lot of the ideas they promote, however I found it a little too “crunchy” for me. I felt like a disappointment as a reader since I could never live up to the “natural,” eco-friendly expectations of this magazine!

I am sure there must be other alternative magazines out there that people more “with-it” than me can recommend. Is there a cool and different parenting/mom magazine that you enjoy? If so, please leave a comment and I will add it here. Thanks and have a peaceful Sunday!