Recently, while at the pediatricians office, we were in for a long wait. Unfortunately my little guy was so sick and clingy that he wasn't even interested in playing in the kids waiting area (which usually he enjoys quite a bit). Instead he was content to cuddle on my lap and look at a few books and magazines. Lucky for us, on the corner table, along with the usual parenting magazine faire they had a large stack with sample issues of Your Big Backyard for the taking (Of course, we did).

Your Big Backyard is the next step up from Wild Animal Baby, put out from the National Wildlife Federation. My two year old has been receiving Wild Animal Baby magazine now for over a year. Wild Animal Baby, though a magazine, is actually a cardboard board-type book from NWF for children 1-3 years of age. Though my son is only 2, I feel as if the publication is a bit on the babyish side so I am currently wavering on renewing it.

Your Big Backyard is recommended for children ages 3-7 and a subscription costs $15 per year for 12 issues. Significantly cheaper than WAB, this magazine comes printed on magazine stock (actually recycled, chlorine-free paper) and each issue is right around 30 pages. Though 30 pages doesn't seem like much, its just perfect for young children's shorter attention spans and includes no advertising or junk content.

So, What's in Your Big Backyard?

Your Big Backyard is way better than my little backyard, for starters. Each issue has a colorful photo on the cover of an animal, or animal baby that will draw in young animal lovers from the get-go. The April 2003 issue has a close-up photo of a bright red Spine Cheek Anemone Fish which is almost like being right inside the coral reef and able to touch it. Talk about cool!

Chester Chipmunk and Bonnie BlueBird are the friendly cartoon characters who are the hosts of the magazine. In Wild World, we see Chester pointing to a location on the globe and on the page there is a photo of an animal from this location. Meanwhile, a small cartoon bubble coming from Bonnie Bluebird gives some brief descriptive text about the animal and its whereabouts.

Each issue begins with a single index page which lists the issue's contents. On this same page, Chester Chipmunk introduces the feature article of the issue (again, through the use of a cartoon bubble). Similar to the preschool publication, Sesame Street Magazine there is a small line for kids to write their name on as being the owner of this magazine. At the bottom corner of the page you'll see a small Chester and Bonnie and instructions to find 3 hidden Bonnies and 3 hidden Chesters on the remainder of the pages. Of course, to you and me there is no challenge to find these little critters. But, for young children it can be both fun and a challenge to locate their buddies throughout each issue.

By far, the most appealing part of Your Big Backyard for my little guy are all the photos of the animals and interesting facts. He thorougly enjoyed looking at the pictures as I explained to him what was on the page. Its almost like taking your own trip to the most exotic of places and seeing wildlife close-up, without ever leaving your living room. Nature in my Neighborhood spotlights reader-submitted photos of wildlife that can be found literally in your backyard (big or small!). In Imagine, found on the back cover - kids will submit ideas and then YBB puts that idea to picture (For example -imagine if it rained butterflies?)

Parents will find the facts intriguing and even learn a bit from this magazine too. Older kids who enjoy animal facts and trivia will get a kick out of this also. In Ask Ranger Rick, kids pose animal questions to this raccoon mascot who is the host of his own magazine from the NWF which is aimed at kids 7+ -- basically those who have outgrown Your Big Backyard.

But, Your Big Backyard is much more than animal photos and facts. Other features of the magazine include activities - such as mazes, games, crafts, etc. These activities can make for really good rainy day/sick day activities to do together. For example, the feature Let's Draw which includes simple step by step instructions on how to draw an animal (or insect...in the latest issue -its a ladybug). Since some of the activities involve cutting out with scissors you will want to make sure that your child has completed reading the entire magazine before embarking on the scissor adventures. Part of the fun of the magazine will involve writing in it and marking up the pages as well as cutting out portions - and following simple instructions. But, once this is done your issue is not always in salvagable condition - which is a bit of a bummer. Each issue also has a centerfold Pull-out Poster - kids may find it fun to hang up on a wall or your refrigerator.

I really like that Your Big Backyard encourages reading at many levels. At an introductory level, each issue contains a feature called My Little Book which is actually a page divided into segments to be cut out, and then assembled into a little flip book - perfectly preschool size. There is also the Adventures of Bonnie & Chester which is short story that combines the use of small icons in place of words. Pre-readers can read along by identifying the picture objects - what a simple way to start reading. Early readers will be likely to read most of the text throughout the pages of the magazine, with little help. Though the animal topics are often quite advanced, the choice of words is at an early elementary level - and sentences are simple. Last but not least, there is Read to Me - which is a 2-4 page story just perfect for adults and older children to read aloud to kids of all ages.

Enjoyment of Your Big Backyard doesn't have to end when you've completed the 30 or so pages of each issue. If you go to http://www.nwf.org/backyardbuddies you will find Backyard Buddies which is a special website full of crafts, photos, fun educational activities, recipes and more. Best of all - the website is free of charge and a terrific resource for parents.

Overall, I am so glad to have seen several issues of Your Big Backyard and just what is has to offer young children. The magazine would make an inexpensive gift for a youngster who loves animals and enjoys getting their own mail. Or, if your little one (like my 2 year old) is outgrowing Wild Animal Baby, I highly encourage you to take a big step and discover (with amazement) all that can be found in Your Big Backyard.

You can also read what this mother of a 6 year old has to say about the magazine by clicking here.

For additional info visit the National Wildlife Federation website at www.nwf.org


Recommended: Yes