Highlights Hello is a magazine you can wash as needed

The people who publish the kids' magazine Highlights has come out with a printed magazine for toddlers aged 0 - 2 that has 16 pages of storybook content, rounded corners and...is washable. Not probably machine-washable, but Highlights Hello is a (non-toxic) ink-on-paper publication that can stand being wiped off. It's a wholly circulation-driven publication, according to a posting by "Mr. Magazine" Samir Husni. It has also survived being put in a washing machine, according to editor Chris Cully, though it's not recommended.

I asked Chris why now and why ink on paper. Her answer,

“The research is clear about the benefits of reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The cuddling, talking, laughing, and singing are all part of the experience. A magazine like Hello makes it easier for parents to create these experiences often.

"Also Hello is lightweight and portable. It fits easily into mom’s purse or diaper bag. It fits toddler hands perfectly. It can be wiped clean–and it can withstand a little chewing. It is hard to imagine a digital product that could be so perfectly tailored to the needs of this audience.

"And for those of us who believe children’s books and magazines on paper are going to be around a long time, this creates a great first experience and early memories.”

Highlights is a Pennsylvania-based publisher of magazines for children, established 66 years ago and it publishes a family of titles including Hello, High Five for ages 2-6 and Highlights itself for those older than 6.

Disney to shutter Disney Adventures kids' magazine

The tricky and rather anemic kids' periodical sector is to lose one of its titles -- Disney Adventures is being discontinued, effective with its November issue, according to a story in MediaWeek. The digest-sized magazine for 6 to 14 year olds, had 1.2 million paid circulation. Most of its circulation was by subscription, but it was also a perennial on the checkout racks since its founding in 1990. Disney says it is going to focus on new magazine and book efforts.

This is the second high-profile kids' title to fold. MTV Networks closed Nick Jr. Family magazine in April.

Yes and Know science mags win educational publishing awards

YES and KNOW magazines have each brought home distinguished achievement awards from the Washington D.C.-based Association of Educational Publishers. Both titles are published by Peter Piper Publishing Inc. of Victoria, B.C.

YES a science magazine for youths, 9 to 14, won in the Visual Story category for Howie Woo's "Cunning Running" piece about orienteering which appeared in the Sep/Oct 2006 issue.

KNOW a science magazine for kids 6 to 9 years of age, won in the One Theme Issue category for Sep/Oct 06 issue on "Light & Colour".

Publisher David Garrison said: We are very excited to have won these two awards as we go up against a lot of big players (with much bigger budgets) from the US including the likes of National Geographic Kids, Ranger Rick, and Scholastic (who publish over 20 different titles).