NLS Kids Zone
Magazines for Kids
Introduction
[skip to the table of contents] This is a descriptive listing of periodicals available to blind and physically handicapped children in these formats:
- audiocassette
- digital audio
- digital braille
- digital text
- large print
- press braille
Most braille magazines are contracted braille. All NLS braille titles are available in digital braille, also known as Web-Braille. Web-Braille titles are available free of charge to eligible readers for download or for use online with braille output devices. NLS Factsheet: Web-Braille Cassettes play at 15/16 and 1-7/8 ips.
Part 1
Part 1 lists all magazines produced by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, for its free reading program. Magazines listed in Part 1 are available at no charge through cooperating libraries to persons who are unable to read or handle conventional print materials because of visual or physical disabilities. Eligible persons must be residents of the United States or American citizens living abroad. To more on eligibility
- About subscribing to NLS-produced magazines
- Subscribers must be registered with a cooperating library.
- Eligibility and registration
- Find a cooperating library
- Subscriptions may take up to three months to start.
- Subscribers keep the issues.
Part 2
Part 2 lists magazines that are not part of the NLS reading program and cannot be requested from cooperating libraries. The information about these magazines was provided by their producers. Some of these magazines are offered free, others by paid subscription. In each case, the source for ordering is indicated, and full contact information is linked to each title. The sources given should be contacted directly for the latest subscription information, because availability and prices tend to change frequently.
Arrangement
In both Part 1 and Part 2, magazines are arranged alphabetically by title. Magazines available free through cooperating libraries are so indicated by [free from cooperating libraries] following the title.
Braille Book Review and Talking Book Topics frequently announce new magazines in special media and changes in any of the magazines listed in this publication.
Key to Magazine Formats
- Audiocassette
- Narrated audio copied onto cassettes in Library of Congress format (4 tracks at 15/16 ips) or in standard format (2 tracks at 1-7/8 ips).
- Digital audio
- Narrated audio in digital files.
- Digital braille
- Braille in an electronic form. NLS digital braille is known as Web-Braille.
- Digital text
- Electronic text file.
- Large print
- Print in 14-point type or larger.
- Press braille
- Braille embossed on paper. In contracted format unless noted otherwise.
Contents
Part 1
Part 2
Alphabetical Listing of Magazines Available from Other Sources
Contact Information for Sources Other Than NLS Cooperating Libraries
Part 1—NLS-produced magazines
Boys' Life
BLY1
monthly (plus special issue)
digital braille, press braille
Articles on the outdoors, sports, and hobbies, with adventure fiction and humor; ages 9 to 16. Published by the Boy Scouts of America.
Cricket: The Magazine for Children
NGW3
monthly
audiocassette
Stories, poems, and articles by internationally known authors; songs, jokes, and crafts. For ages 6 to 12. On one cassette with National Geographic Kids.
Muse
MUE1
10 issues/year
digital braille, press braille
Science, art, archaeology, and history activities for ages 6 to 14; includes contests and book and media reviews.
National Geographic Kids
NGW3
monthly
audiocassette
Articles for children about people, places, customs, animals, and plant life.
Spider: The Magazine for Children
SPD1, SPD3
monthly
audiocassette, digital braille, press Braille
Stories, poems, jokes, and crafts for beginning readers ages 6 to 9.
Sports Illustrated for Kids
SPK3
monthly
audiocassette
Sports news and articles for ages 8 to 13; features sports personalities, events, and sports cards; youth who are excelling in sports; regular column by youth discussing a controversial sports-related issue.
Stone Soup: The Magazine by Young Writers and Artists
STO1
5 issues/year
digital braille, press braille
Stories, poems, illustrations, and book reviews created by children through age thirteen. Features an activities section with suggested related projects.
Part 2—Magazines produced by other agencies
Magazines listed in Part 2 are not part of the NLS reading program and cannot be requested from cooperating libraries. The information about these magazines was provided by their producers. The sources for ordering are linked from each title. The sources given should be contacted directly for the latest subscription information because availability and prices tend to change frequently.
Blast Off
monthly
digital text, press braille
From Royal National Institute of the Blind: £16.20/year.
Stories, features, jokes, and puzzles from popular children's magazines. For ages 7 to 11. (UK)
Braille at Bedtime
bimonthly
press braille
From Royal National Institute of the Blind: £18.90/year.
Short stories for children ages 7 to 11. (UK)
Children's Friend
quarterly
press braille
From Christian Record Services, Inc.: free.
Character-building stories for children.
Current Events
weekly (Sept.—May)
large print, press braille
From American Printing House for the Blind: inquire for price.
National school newspaper for grades 7and 8.
Current Science
biweekly (Sept.—May)
large print, press braille
From American Printing House for the Blind: inquire for price.
National school newspaper for high school with emphasis on science.
Encounter
bimonthly
audiocassette
From Christian Record Services, Inc.: free.
Study of Bible topics and prophecies for teens.
Order Information for Encounter from Christian Record Services
Encounter
quarterly
audiocassette
From International Christian Braille Mission: loan.
Character-building stories for teens; Bible study.
Order information for Encounter from International Christian Braille Mission
Expectations
annual
press braille
From Universal Media Services: free.
Anthology of books and selected chapters from outstanding books for ages 7 to 12.
The Friend
monthly
audiocassette, digital braille, press braille
From Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: voluntary contribution; digital braille free.
Selected religious articles, poems, songs, and stories for children.
Happy Times
monthly
press braille
From Lutheran Blind Mission: free.
Religious articles and fiction for ages 6 to 8.
Kidz Chat
monthly
audiocassette
From International Christian Braille Mission: loan.
Bible study for children ages 8 to 12.
Know Your World EXTRA!
weekly (Sept.—May)
large print, press braille
From American Printing House for the Blind: inquire for price.
High-interest articles for young people ages 10 to 16 with reading difficulties.
My Devotions
monthly
large print, press braille
From Lutheran Blind Mission: free.
Daily devotions for ages 8 to 13.
My Weekly Reader
weekly (September through May)
large print, press braille
From American Printing House for the Blind: inquire for price.
Current events. Elementary scholastic journal for grades 2 to 6.
The New Era
monthly
audiocassette, digital braille, press braille
From Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: voluntary contribution; digital braille free.
Religious articles, poems, and stories for teens.
Pre-Teen Student
quarterly
audiocassette
From Assemblies of God: free.
Sunday school lessons for grades 5 to 6.
Part 2—Contact information for other agencies
Contact information for sources other than NLS cooperating libraries.
American Printing House for the Blind
P.O. Box 6389
Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 895-2405
800-223-1839
(502) 899-2350 fax
info@aph.org
www.aph.org/products/magsubsc.htm
Assemblies of God
National Center for the Blind
1445 North Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802
(417) 831-1964
(417) 862-5120 fax
blind@ag.org
www.blind.ag.org
Christian Record Services, Inc.
P. O. Box 6097
Lincoln, NE 68506-0097
(402) 488-0981
(402) 488-7582 fax
editor@christianrecord.org
www.christianrecord.org
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Materials for Those with Disabilities
Salt Lake Distribution Services
1999 West 1700 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
800-537-5971
ldscatalog@ldschurch.org
www.ldscatalog.com
International Christian Braille Mission, Inc.
5210 MacCorkle Avenue SW
PBM 277
South Charleston, WV 25309-1012
(304) 768-8876
ICBMWV@WV-CIS.net
www.icbminc.org
Lutheran Blind Mission
7550 Watson Road
St. Louis, MO 63119
(314) 918-0415
888-215-2455
(314) 963-0738 fax
blind.mission@blindmission.org
www.blindmission.org