A Science Magazine to Encourage and Uplift....Nature Friend (and its Study Guide, too!)

In a nutshell, Nature Friend is the Christian version of a kids' science magazine. In today's world, what is theory is pressed upon our children as indisputable fact, from museum exhibits to children's television programming to literature, so what a blessing to sit down with them with a publication that even says in its subscription information that it "upholds the principles of the inspired Word of God, high Christian family standards, Divine Creation (no evolution), and practical Christian stewardship of God's creation."

On all fronts, faith is being attacked these days. And the world of science is no exception. What is ironic is that this is one area that so naturally points to the existence and participation of a Creator. Nature Friend is one magazine that uses this connection to bolster belief with articles of how our Creator specially made and fit the world and its creatures.

Features include:

• vibrant photographs from nature of plant and animal life
• a "Learning by Doing" section to deepen student understanding through action
• articles that point out the handiwork of God in His creation
• language that elementary children can read and understand
• monthly features such as "You Can Draw", "Invisibles", and "WonderNose"
• a section for reader-submitted poetry and art in every issue
• reader-submitted articles
• a "Nature Trails" section in which readers describe or send in photos about what they're doing at certain points in the year

My class here and I like to take an issue out to the swing in our yard and read it cover to cover. We begin by stopping to find all the hidden objects in the "Invisibles" section and then move on to the various articles and features. They always get inspired by the artwork and poetry other readers have submitted and do their best to figure out the subject of "WonderNose" before it's revealed by the author. Their imagination is stretched and fueled by vivid language and photography that captures the designs on a turtle shell and the look in an owl's eye as he swoops toward his prey. By the time we finish an issue, we're more informed about and in awe of some aspect of the creation and more aware of its beauty and presence around us.

You can find out more about Nature Friend by clicking here to go to the website. There, you can find information about subscribing and subscriber testimonials. You can also see samples of some of Nature Friend's features. A one-year subscription is $36, and for two years, it's $68. They have a neat deal, that for every four subscriptions you buy, a fifth one is free, with the option that it can go to hospital children. Now, I understand and can totally identify with the notion that right now $36 is more than some families can afford for a magazine subscription. Just yesterday, I was shocked to discover our sandwich meat alone had jumped $1 in a week, just sandwich meat! Here's a suggestion--talk to the families in your homeschool group or coop and see if they'd like a subscription for the group library. Or go in together with one or two others families and share a subscription. Talk to your public library, too--what a blessing Nature Friend would be to the community! Also, until November 30, 2009, Nature Friend has a discount on new subscriptions. Use the code BLOG93 to save $3.00.

Nature Friend offers a supplementary Study Guide insert for each issue which is purchased separately. The Study Guide reinforces knowledge from the magazine articles through educational puzzles and activities and provides tips in photography and writing as well. It is an additional $2 per issue. It is optional and cannot be purchased without the magazine itself. Here's what I think here: Yes, this section is great, too, especially the segments on photography and nature writing, but if money is an issue, don't let the additional cost of the Study Guide keep you from purchasing the magazine. Perhaps later down the road you could add the Study Guide subscription.

In its 27th year of publication, Nature Friend continues to educate and encourage classes and families to see creation for what it really is--the amazing and intentional work of an awesome Creator! Check out what other TOS Crew members have to say here and head over to the Nature Friend site to learn more for yourself!