Thursday, July 14, 2011

ENDED Review & QUICK giveaway: Discovery Girls Magazine

I am always excited to review products, but I especially love to be introduced to a new, wonderful product. And when I find a product I like, I really want to share it with everyone I know which is why I LOVE doing giveaways! Now, this product I am reviewing, I cannot give to all of you, but I CAN give it to one of you, and I can tell ALL of you all about it!

What is it?

My lovely 8 year old daughter and I were given the opportunity to review Discovery Girls magazine. It is a bi-monthly magazine geared toward the "tween" girls crown (basically ages 8-12 or 13). We were sent the current issue of the magazine, a copy of their special Collector's Edition (a super-sized issue that celebrates their 10 years), and Friendship Hardship which is 1 of their 4 Fab Girls Guides books (the Fab Girls Guides are a 4 book set that provides questions and answers to help get through the sometimes difficult aspects of tween life including: Friendship Hardship, Sticky Situations, Getting Your Questions Answered and Getting Through Tough Times.)

Here is how their magazine was described to me:

Discovery Girls is a destination where tween girls can express themselves, share ideas, connect with other girls and discover helpful tips for handling life’s ups and downs. Discovery Girls articles and features are written by girls, for girls--which means their content touches on topics that really matters to tweens. Their goal is to help girls grow and develop, forming a positive sense of self through solutions that build confidence, resilience and independence.


It is pretty sweet because each issue focuses on 12 tween girls from a specific state (this one we read was Louisiana) and the girls contribute stories and experiences so it is really written by and for tween girls.

What did I think?

Well, let me say first that I have only recently started to think of my baby girl as a tween. She is mature for an 8-year-old, but I worried that some of the content that might be geared to the older tweens might be too advanced or scary for her. I mean they might want to talk periods and bras, right? Is she ready for that?

I should mention that my little girl has already been bra shopping (for a very small supportive top-nothing major). So, we have talked bras and puberty. So, she was somewhat prepared for that.

There was one article about whether you are ready for a bra or not. It gave some good girl to girl advice and ended up telling the young ladies to talk to their parents if they think they might be ready. I liked that the magazine did not forget that these are still basically kids with parents involved and it talked about how to ask parents for more privacy while also giving advice to talk to parents about different topics. Thank you for not assuming my child does not need me anymore at 8!

All in all Solace liked the magazines and book and did not think they were over her head-in fact she said to me "mom I like how this tells me about things I can expect int he next few years-very informative." (I will let her tell you more of her reaction).

As a mom I recommend it, but if you have a child on the lower end of the age spectrum, just know there will be topics like bras and wanting privacy discussed in the magazine. You or your daughter might not quite be ready for that. I was not sure I was, but it opened a line of communication and I really liked that.

One last thing I will say before I let Solace type her thoughts: I think this review is going to cost me more than any I have ever done! Why you ask? Because I have a little "Tween" walking around the house with a subscription postcard begging for her own subscription all the time now...that is how much she liked it!

What did my 8-year-old think?

Pictured above is a picture of her favorite page (the embarrassing moments) that she took and wanted to include) I will let her tell you her thoughts in her own words:

My favorite part was Embarrassing Moments where kids share their most embarrassing moments. In the magazine it said that kids thought the embarrassing moments were funny, and I thought they were too. I also really liked the health and beauty tips because I learned from them things that would be important in the future and important today.

I would recommend this to all tweens. But some tweens my age might get a little scared when they talk about some of the health tips like body order or when they talk about bras. But they would probably like the tips. So if you have a kid my age and you want to get them a subscription, first look at the books with your daughter and ask her how she feels about it. I think most girls would really like it!!

Where can you get it?

Most bookstores including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Waldenbooks and many stores like Wal‐Mart and Target carry it. Cover price is $4.95; a one-year subscription is $19.95.

You can start a subscription by going to http://discoverygirls.com/magazine and clicking on the "start subscription now" button.

And don't forget there is a giveaway too!!

Here is how to enter the Giveaway (PLEASE make sure to leave an email address in each comment so I can reach you should you win):

What can you win: One lucky Beckee's Deals Reader will win:
1 certificate for a one year subscription to the magazine (6-issues)
1 four-book set of their Fab Girls Guides
1 copy of their special Collector's Edition (a super-sized issue that celebrates our 10 years)

MANDATORY ENTRY (Must do this first for other entries to count): Go visit Discovery Girls Magazine online then come back to this post and leave a comment letting me know really anything you noticed or liked about their site or magazine.

Once you have done that, you can get 5 extra entries by doing the following things (Just make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, and leave me your email address in each comment so I know how to contact you should you win):

1. Become a PUBLIC GFC follower of my blog.

2. Subscribe to my blog via Email or an RSS feed/reader. (Yes-you can use this entry if you are already an email or RSS subscriber- just let me know how you subscribe to my blog).

3. Become a Facebook fan of my blog here.

4. Follow me on Twitter here.

5. Tell me how you found this giveaway

Be sure to leave a comment for each entry with your email address. The winner will be chosen using Random.org. This giveaway ends on Thursday, July 21th at 11:59 PM Central Time.

***This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. I was given the above mentioned products to review and the giveaway products will be provided by Discovery Girls. I was not otherwise compensated. And, As always, all thoughts are my own (well, and Solace's in this case).***



Photobucket

54 comments:

Amy V said...

i love that girls can read about the 'discovery girls' who helped make the latest issue of the mag1 they are 'real' girls just like the readers.

annae07@aol.com

Amy V said...

email sub

annae07@aol.com

Amy V said...

i found this giveaway via your email

annae07@aol.com

ReadyOrNot said...

I love that they include crafts to make and encourage girl's to be active.
reddrnot2 at aol.com

ReadyOrNot said...

I'm a new follower on GFC.
reddrnot2 at aol.com

ReadyOrNot said...

I am following on twitter. readyornotfl
reddrnot2 at aol.com

ReadyOrNot said...

I found this giveaway on the sidebar of your blog! Hope I win, my daughter would love this : )
reddrnot2 at aol.com

cman said...

I love that they have questions and answers.
My email is in my profile.

cman said...

I'm an email subscriber.

cman said...

I found it through email.

Unknown said...

There are many things I like about this magazine. The fact that it is written by girls is a huge plus. I also love any magazine that targets age appropriate activities, especially for girls.

I also love how interactive the site is for my daughters.

danellejohns at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am a GFC follower-Danelle Johnson (#1)
danellejohns at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I am an email subscriber (#1)
danellejohns at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow/like you on FB-DanelleJohns (#1)
danellejohns at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I follow/like you on Twitter-DanelleJohns(Danelle)(#1)danellejohns at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I found this as an entry on Tightwad Utah.

danellejohns at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I like the the Discovery Girls site has forums for girls to chat, just like adult sites.
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I follow your blog publicly via Google Friend Connect as shala_darkstone.
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to your RSS feed.
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I follow your Facebook page (FB name: Maddie Brubaker).
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I follow you on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Anonymous said...

I found this giveaway on Tight Wad in Utah's blog.
maddiemb {at} comcast (dot) net

Melanie said...

I love that girls can contribute to the magazine.

madaybell@gmail.com

Melanie said...

I love that the girls can contribute to writing the magazine.

madaybell@gmail.com

Melanie said...

I am following you GFC.

madaybell@gmail.com

(I couldn't see my first comment and so I wrote it again and submitted it and then found out it will be posted after approval. Whoops - sorry!)

Melanie said...

I found you at Mommy Diggers giveaway hop.

madaybell@gmail.com

Crunchy Frugalista said...

I love the fact it helps the Tween set deal with so many different issues. My 12 year old loves this magazine!
crunchyfrugalista@gmail.com

Crunchy Frugalista said...

I follow you publicly on GFC
Crunchy Frugalista
crunchyfrugalista@gmail.com

Crunchy Frugalista said...

I follow you on twitter as @crnchyfrglista
crunchyfrugalista@gmail.com

Crunchy Frugalista said...

I liked you on Facebook as Ashley Turner Sears
crunchyfrugalista@gmail.com

lewalk said...

I like the fun stuff tab. They have contests, free stuff, quizzes and games. I like that they have a space for advice too.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Email subscriber.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

lewalk said...

Was already a reader/subscriber/fan of yours but I saw the giveaway on Tightwad in Utah.

lewalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

Karla said...

I like the I wish I'd known section. http://discoverygirls.com/advice/features/i-wish-id-known
karlatrx AT gmail DOT com

Karla said...

I follow on twitter - @karlatrx
karlatrx AT gmail DOT com

Karla said...

I heard about this from Tight Wad in Utah

Karla said...

I follow via GFC - Karlatrx
karlatrx AT gmail DOT com

Chris said...

I love the lack of advertising,and the lack of Justin Bieber..lol

Chris said...

GFC follower Christina Brundick

Chris said...

twitter follower @sunshyne1977

Gladys Parker said...

Follow YOU via GFC and luv that it has inputs from real girls, it is for girls from girls and it is so positive! My niece really needs to read this.
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

Gladys Parker said...

Tweet @sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com
http://twitter.com/#!/sueparks2003/status/94200108224233472

Gladys Parker said...

Follow YOU via Email sub
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

Gladys Parker said...

Follow YOU via public GFC
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

Gladys Parker said...

I found this through Airplanes and Dragonflies as I have been watching for DG giveaways
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

Gladys Parker said...

Follow YOU via fb
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

Gladys Parker said...

YOUR twitter link is not working
Gladys P
@sueparks2003
sps1113 at yahoo dot com

jessi sugar said...

i like the heath and and beauty section
jessisugarpants@gmail.com

cman said...

They have fashion tips.

cman said...

I'm a GFC follower.

maryjaco1 said...

I like they use real girls for featuring in their magazine from a particular state.
mary@cire.com

maryjaco1 said...

GFc follower-mary j
mary@cire.com

maryjaco1 said...

twitter follower-maryjaco1
mary@cire.com

maryjaco1 said...

found the giveaway from Tightwad in Utah
mary@cire.com