KiKi: For girls with style and substance, Spring 2011

Magazine

ISBN: 7447023523

Spring 2011 V4 Issue 3 (Published quarterly)
79 p.

Reading Level: Grades 8 and up.

http://www.kikimag.com/index.php

Summary:

This magazine is for creative girls who enjoy fashion, history, and the world. Each issue encompasses an entire theme, this issue’s being all things Greek. Greek mythology, dress, language, and recipes were all included. There is also an area called “Kiki fun” which contains games, mazes, crossword puzzles, and such to keep the reader interested and involved. There is also a small section of books and movies, which also contains a Greek theme. This magazine involves all readers and asks them to participate by drawing, figuring out puzzles, and starting a “creativity journal,” to name but a few. There are also sections that are not Greek-centered such as the “World Beat” section that deals with Taiwan, as well as fashion history such as the start of Hermes and tax information. Another area of interest is an article that deals with betrayal of trust between friends.

One can purchase one year, four issues, for 24 dollars or up to three years for 61 dollars.

Critical Evaluation:

Kiki has so many areas of interest showcased in the magazine in any given volume that it draws every reader in through the various topics offered. Even if someone is a budding fashionista or historian, this magazine is for them. Although very educational, it manages to “hide” this from the articles by writing short, but interesting pieces, so that if a reader wants to move to the next item, it is literally at the turn of the page. This magazine also shows how young women can become budding entrepreneurs. One article shows how two girls started a lip balm business, Blamtastic, in which they make, name, devise, and sell their wares across shops in the United States and Canada. The article ends with their advice on how “Hard work pays off” (p. 44) and “Do a lot of research. Try your hardest. If you have an idea, reinvent it, go for it, and don’t be afraid!” (p. 44). Lessons from young girls to other young girls seems, to me, the best way to get across the ideas of hard work, determination, and drive.

Reader’s Annotation:
If you’re interested in art and drawing and making items from scratch, this is the magazine for you! Immerse yourself in the ways of the Greek while designing sandals and a toga while also learning about their history.

Author Biography:
For this volume, the founder and editor-in chief, Jamie Bryant, decided to look back to when he was in Latin class in seventh grade, a course that introduced him to classical language and mythology. He decided to devote one entire issue to this topic.

Kiki’s mission is to “Help each reader develop a sense of style that reflects her own personality; nurture in her the sense of confidence that comes from being comfortable in her own skin, whatever her style.” (p. 1)

Genre: Young Adult Magazine

Curriculum Ties: A teen could use this magazine as a resource when writing a paper on a specific topic, such as Greek customs and items, in particular.

Booktalking Ideas:

-What interests the reader the most out of all the articles in the magazine?

- Did the reader feel challenged when decoding the puzzles or drawing on the art pages?

Read-Alikes:

-Kidz magazine.

Challenge Issue:

I can’t imagine that there would be any challenges. Models in the magazine look like real children and, even when they include adults or teens, they use fit-looking girls, not waif-like children.

Reason to include in blog:

I asked my Burbank library to direct me to the teen magazine section. I had never heard of this magazine and found it quite interesting. It does not “talk down” to teens, and the interactive element
is a great way to draw the reader in.

Reference:

Kiki. (2011). Spring 2011, 4(3).