Young children love surprises - especially ones that come through the mail. And if you’re a caregiver who wants to nurture a love of the written word? Look no further to fulfill both wishes than the magazines, Babybug and Ladybug.

Babybug is a square-shaped, thick-paged zine specifically for the 0-3 set. This publication is “filled with colorful illustrations (that are multi-culturally sensitive, I might add), rhyming text, and simple stories.” Many are stories “about subjects (my son) can relate to.”

Big sister magazine, Ladybug, (for boys and girls ages three to six.) has wonderful pictures on high-quality paper, and plenty of classical literature sprinkled throughout. According to one reviewer, “there’s always a song to learn, and reoccurring characters from issue to issue. It has craft suggestions for the kids, and nearly always includes a pull-out craft that we can make into a book or mobile.”

One of the points our bloggers continually brought up throughout this campaign was the fact that the creative forces behind both magazines definitely understand their audiences.

A blogger notes that within Babybug, “the longest story is 6 pages, and there isn’t a lot of text on a single page, so this is perfect for the short-attention span set. Sometimes we’ll sit and read the entire issue. Other times I’ll read a page or two and then she’s off to do something else. She also will pull Babybug off the table and page through it herself at least once a day.”

They not only understand a child’s interest but some children’s desire to physically test a book’s limit. The previous blogger quoted ventures on to add, “It takes a lot of effort to tear out an entire page, and even more effort to rip a page in two. Even my determined ripper has yet to pull out a page, although she continues to try. I can see each issue adding to our library, right next to her board books. With how well they hold up, it’s like getting a new book each issue.

To make Babybug and Ladybug (as well as all the other Cricket publications) even better? There are no ads!

But the publications aren’t just helpful in fostering a literary love (or indulging in some snuggle time): “I’ve picked up subtle hints for making daily chores a bit more fun by reading this magazine. I was always very good at child-centered activities, but still struggle with adult-centered activities made fun for toddlers. Perhaps because those often turn to chaos at our house. But, simple things like letting the toddler push the laundry basket as if it’s a “laundry express” are stacked in each issue,” mentions one reviewer. She continues, “So, it’s a book, a monthly mailing and an activities guide all in one. Not bad for $34 a year for nine issues.”

Many of our parent bloggers reported an overwhelmingly positive response amongst their little “testers”. But not all kids were completely won over. One reviewer states, “Although my daughter loves to read books, she isn’t interested in Babybug. I’m not sure if it’s her age or her stage, but I’ve tried to pull them out on several occasions and she always pushes them away and opts for another book. Perhaps she’ll like them more in the future…for now, she just likes pulling them out of the mailbox.  

But aside the potenial pros like extra snuggle time and a growing love for the written word, one blogger feels that the magazine offers an educational experience for caregivers as well. “All young moms should automatically get this as a shower gift,”  Why? Because each issue of the magazine “is wrapped in a cover that offers interesting ways to interact with your child while reading and not reading that month’s issue.” She goes on to add, “I can’t rave anymore about these little magazines. If you can’t think of a present to give, a subscription would be perfect.”

*Thanks to Dana of Dana Reviews for the use of this photo.