I don't know what to say, this is the BEST KIDS MAG EVER!!
Amusing Musings on Science and More
Not quite a science magazine but definitely focused on science and invention, perhaps the best description of muse is a magazine of intellectual inquiry. Inside its pages you'll find colorful cartoons, top ten lists, news bits, and short articles on all sorts of mostly science but also engineering and invention and, at times, history topics.
Published nine times a year, each issue focuses on one or two themes, providing five or six related articles and often tying regular features like the full page cartoon to the theme. Each of the articles is short but together they provide a fairly detailed overview of the theme topic at a level the average upper elementary student can follow.
At least one of the articles is quirky, providing an oddball view of the theme. For instance, the issue focusing on aging included two pages of Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner's famous 2000 year old man routine. I must admit a comedy routine from the '60s felt a bit out of place in a magazine aimed at people born in the '90s, but it definitely added some levity and entertainment.
Those issues that focus on a single theme work really well for me. They hold my attention and feel like a cohesive well designed whole. Unfortunately those issues that have two themes can sometimes feel schizophrenic because the themes rarely have much in common. For instance, a recent issue focused on Rube Goldberg machines and on musical instruments. Both topics were covered fairly well and in interesting unusual ways but the two halves of the magazine didn't fit together at all.
I mentioned earlier that there are lots and lots of pictures in this magazine. Although some are photographs, most are cartoonish drawings by Larry Gonick of The Cartoon Guide to ... fame. They're a lot of fun and really fit the tone of the magazine. Gonick also pens the regular cartoon Kokopelli & Company, a full page 15 frame or so cartoon tied to the issue's theme. Because of that choice the cartoon itself has no continuity other than a few recurring characters but if you take each strip as it comes you'll probably enjoy it.
muse doesn't really have a narrow focus and those issues that have two themes can be a bit difficult to read in one sitting, but if you or your elementary school child are the inquisitive type then it has quite a lot to offer. Give it a try.
Recommended: Yes
Loved by 11 year old
I got a subscription for my then 10-year-old nephew, and apparently he loves it so much he checks the mailbox regularly for the next issue. I renewed it for him this year.
Seems interesting to my 11 yr. old
I purchased this for my 11 year old son. the first issue came this week. He said he only had time to skim it but the articles seemed interesting to him and he is looking forward to reading them. I also skimmed throught the first issue and it did seem to be different than anything else I have seen.
Where's the magazine?
I can't review this because, unlike the other magazine that I ordered at the same time, this one hasn't arrived. I'll revise my comments if I ever see the product.
Not A-musing!
Muse is terrible for 12 to 14 year olds. Instead, Discover (adult magazine), National Geographic, and Science News are wonderful magazines for this age group. If your child is bright, give him or her real reading material at the adult level. Don't waste your money--or your kid's time--on Muse.
