Engaging and Educational
A review of Thomas & Friends, February 22, 2008
Submitted by: L's Mom from Fort Knox, KY

My son received a subscription to "Thomas & Friends" magazine for his fifth birthday.  (He's been a Thomas fan his whole life.) 

Yes, it is an expensive subscription, but if you have a Thomas fan in your home, it's worth every penny.  There are two stories in each issue; one is just like the Thomas books, with mostly photos and some text, the other is primarily text.  This is perfect for my beginning reader.  He reads me the story with the pictures and I read him the "wordier" story.   After each story, we do the reading comprehension questions that are included. 

The rest of the book is full of other activities that are perfect for a pre-schooler/kindergartner... practice with printing and writing numbers (a different engine is featured every month so children can write his name and number), mazes (to help with pre-writing and fine motor control), matching, and simple math.  While it is educational, it is presented in a way that is fun for children.  It doesn't have the look and feel of a traditional workbook, but the educational benefits of this magazine can't be ignored.  I also like the simple fact that my son is getting a taste of following written directions, something that will surely be expected of him in school. 

The magazine is a bit pricey.  However, there's a reason for that... there are no advertisements in it.   That alone makes this a very age appropriate magazine for young children.  It may not have as many pages as other children's magazines, but that is because every page is "usable space". 

I can't say enough great things about this magazine.  I wish there were more just like it for children with slightly older interests. 

Good Magazine - for a limited time
A review of Thomas & Friends, September 18, 2007
Submitted by: Bobbi from Lansing, MI

I ordered this magazine for my son when he was 2 years old. At the time he was such a huge Thomas fan. By issue #3, he was over his Thomas phase. It's a great magazine if you have a little Thomas fan, but if it's just a passing interest I'm not sure you'll get the value from it. You might want to look for something more "general" in the children's magazine area.

Great magazine for Thomas Fans
A review of Thomas & Friends, July 13, 2007
Submitted by: are from shreveport, la

Great magazine with loads of interesting stuff to do.  Keeps my son busy for hours!