Many of us remember reading Ranger Rick and other secular science magazines while we were growing up. As a Christian I have often wondered if there were any Christian magazines that represented God’s view of nature. After all God created the world and His truth about His creation should have a magazine too. Right?

I was very pleased to receive two Nature Friend magazines for free to review for the TOS Homeschool Crew. Along with the magazine came the study guides for each magazine. As usual for my girls, they both were excited to receive magazines that were for them. Though it is geared toward children, all of our family found things in it to enjoy. I was amazed at the quality of the photographs that are throughout the magazine as well as the articles, activities and other items that are a part of this magazine. In addition to the articles themselves, we especially liked the diversity of items in the magazine such as the drawing activities, poetry, and word searches. My girls really enjoyed seeing the pictures that other kids had drawn in response to the monthly drawing activity, “You can draw a..” in each magazine. It is a study in drawing a particular item from nature such as a black bear or a sunflower. My kids spent hours looking to see what other kids of various ages were able to do in response to the art lesson from a previous issue. They then worked on their own pictures. They took turns doing a picture scavenger hunt through each magazine, studied the photographs and read the articles. This magazine has so much to offer to hoemschoolers beyond what I have touched on in this review. Nature Friend’s website has different areas that you can explore to learn more about their publication that I recommend you check out for yourself. There is also a Homeschooler’s Guide to Nature Firend that you should check out.

The study guide which I also received was a nice addition to the magazine. It adds such things as crossword puzzles, research ideas/questions, writing activities, as well as a photo critique section. Even after reading through and going over the materials in the magazine and study guide, my girls are still going back to each issue we received. With all the secular science messages in the world today, it is a blessing to have a magazine such as Nature Friend available for Christian homeschoolers. For our family it had something for all ages. However, even though my youngest really wants to get a subscription, we will have to put it on hold due to our own financial situation. If we could afford it though it would be on our list of purchases.

Most magazines these days are so full of fluff and advertisements and I was very pleased to find that Nature Friend was nothing like that. It only contains content that is truly educational and inspiring. It helps the reader see the amazing works of God. Knowing this, the price of the magazine is very reasonable when you understand that they are not relying on outside ads to pay for the publishing of their magazine.

A one year subscription costs $36.00 (2 years for $68.00) and the Study Guide is an additional $2.00 per issue.

Right now you can get $3.00 off a new subscription. Simply use the coupon code BLOG93 when ordering. Valid until November 30, 2009.

When you order the study guide your magazine comes with the guide included within the magazine pages which makes it nice since it cannot be easily lost or misplaced.

Also you can get sample issues and back issues.

Filed under: Home, TOS Crew by Barbara
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