{ with eager hands }: June 2012

I am so excited to share I am now a part of the Schoolhouse Review Crew (formally known as the TOS Review Crew)! And what better first-off review, than Creation Illustrated!

I’ll go ahead and give you my completely honest opinion: It’s worth every single penny! I absolutely love it being strewed on my couch, and in my daughter bedroom space and in the kitchen and in my bag and under the couch…ok, so I don’ t like it there so much, but it was there because it had been “read” by my 5 you and that’s where it landed….

Let me introduce to you, my favorite nature magazine:

Creation Illustrated is a magazine that comes out 4 times a year, whose sole purpose is to “share the wonders of God’s creation.” And whoo, boy, does it ever! I stumbled on this publication well over a year ago, thanks to some ~~blog-hopping~~ independent research :) So when I got hitched up with Schoolhouse Review Crew and had the opportunity to review this, I was ALL OVER IT!! By the by, did you know you can get a free issue? I’ll tell you how in just a minute, because first I want to tell you about it!

Each magazine issue has three sections: Creation in Nature, Creation in Scripture, and Creation in Living. My favorite section was the last one, because of all the practical information and application. The articles about animals and places near and far are wonderfully done, but there’s something that this pregnant mama likes about the information gathered, and the fun to be had in that section!

Now, I have read here and there that this is the Christian version of National Geographic. I think that it’s a slight stretch, but it’s the closest thing I’ve found that gives you stunning images, insightful articles all the while keeping God in the very center, not just lip service. You’ve already got me hooked!

As I leisurely strolled through the pages of the magazines, the first thing I noticed was the number of advertisements NOT in between the covers! Understand that there are advertisements, as this is one major way that it is able to go to press, but the marketing presence is markedly less. I like that. A lot. (because who likes a magazine that is 3/4 full of adverts? not this girl!)

The price might be a little off-putting, starting at $19.95 for a year’s subscription and I understand that. But if you are looking for a trustworthy publication to have in your home, I can say that is is worth a second look. It’s worth every bit of that, trust me. Oh, shoot – I think I already said that.

Yes, the pictures are wonderful.
Yes, the articles hit so many different parts of creation.

But there’s more to it than that. Creation Illustrated isn’t simply nature magazine! Every issue brings to your home a collection of photos taken by youngsters, 5-15 years old. My children thought that was the coolest thing! With each image captured is Scripture selected by the junior photographer! EK is already making plans :)

There is also a section with recipes, called Genesis Cuisine. The recipes have all been new to me, and this provides our family (and yours!) with an opportunity to take the reading of this magazine to a new level.

One last component of this magazine that, I think, sets it apart, is the Instructional Guide at the back. It’s just fine to sit down with a cup of something pleasant and just read through the magazine as you like. It’s also great to have for your children to read for themselves, or by you. This last section simply offers you the chance to slow down with certain articles and really get into it. There are questions, if you need some scaffolding with that, some activities that tie in with different articles (we are planning on doing some of the hummingbird activities in the spring edition), and word puzzles and such.

While I love my screen time, there is nothing like a real book, or magazine, in your hand, and I believe that doubly for my children. The magazine is stout, with thick glossy pages, and the issues that I have received will be kept for future enjoyment.

I received a full year’s subscription for this review, and am still slowly working my way through all the articles. But will I purchase a subscription next go-round?

I think we shall.

I am pretty hard-core about what comes into the house, and as I have some heavy readers, this is EXACTLY what I want laying around my house for said readers to pick up and enjoy. With so much out there that either minimizes God, or flat-out leaves Him out, I want to fill these 4 walls with words of truth.

As a note, this would make for a spectacular nature study resource, if not a science program for the younger bunch in the family. I am not sure I will use it in my homeschool in an official sense, but it would be AWESOME for that, man oh man, would it ever!

As I said before, Creation Illustrated is published quarterly in the United States for a cover price of $4.99. Canadian subscriptions need to add $5 for postage, other countries will need to add $10. You can subscribe online for the following lengths/rate:

1 year $ 19.95
2 Years $ 37.95
3 Years $ 53.95

Using your credit card saves you another $5 per year, so that’s really nice.

Even after all this, you might still be wondering if it’s worth it to get a paper subscription. I encourage you all to try out Creation Illustrated with a free issue using THIS LINK.

Enjoy!

Care to see what other Schoolhouse Review Crew members thought about Creation Illustrated? Click the link below!