Day 106: Your Big Backyard

Okay, so I know this isn't technically a book, but I LOVE the National Wildlife Foundation's magazine Your Big Backyard.  Reading different types of media with your children is an invaluable way to improve their reading and literacy skills, and how fun is it for them to receive their very own magazine in the mail?!   My son always gets so excited when his new Big Backyard arrives!  Most of our old editions are taped together from having received so much love. Thanks to the NWF, there are three levels of nature publications you can read with your child:  Wild Animal Baby (for ages 2-4), Your Big Backyard (ages 4-7) and Ranger Rick  (ages 7 to 14.)  My son first received Wild Animal Baby as a birthday gift when he turned one, and we upgraded to the preschool publication earlier this year.  Subscriptions cost only $15 a year, but many local libraries get these great magazines, as well.  If you do subscribe, it's quick and easy to upgrade your status when you feel as though your child is ready for the next level, which is just one of many reasons to love this wonderful series.  These magazines are so  fabulous and provide a wealth of learning opportunities, from cool and interesting animal facts and amazing photography to art activities and singalongs.  Your Big Backyard, for example, features a family fun guide at the back of each edition with a new song, book of the month, "crafty creation," and "cooking together" activity based on the theme each month.  August's edition featured seahorses (did you know they are actually a species of of fish?), so we learned to sing "Pretty Little Seahorse" (to the tune of I've Been Working on the Railroad), how to make seahorse art out of rolled up paper strips, and how to make sand dollar pancakes with cream cheese.  So fun!  What's more, the book of the month was Over in the Ocean, one of our favorites from back on Day 82.  Need a great gift idea?  Consider a subscription!  This is truly a gift that keeps on giving all year long.  If you haven't checked out these fantastic publications, please do.  We promise you won't be disappointed!