MDC Xplor kids' magazine receives Parents’ Choice “seal of approval”

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Statewide
Published Date
02/20/2014
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JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Xplor kids’ magazine recently received a national “seal of approval” from the Parents’ Choice Foundation for the publication’s quality and content.

Focusing on ages 7-12 years, Xplor helps kids discover nature through eye-popping art, photos, and stories about Missouri’s coolest critters, niftiest natural places, liveliest outdoor activities, and people who make a living in the wild. Produced six times a year, Xplor is free to Missouri households with out-of-state subscriptions only $5 per year and out-of-country subscriptions only $8 per year.

Established in 1978, Parents’ Choice Foundation is the nation’s oldest nonprofit consumer guide to quality children’s media. Parents’ Choice serves as a trusted and independent source for educators and librarians, journalists, as well as families searching for quality children’s media and toys.

Parents' Choice “approved” seals are given on the basis of the production, entertainment, and human values the products exemplify. A Parents' Choice “approved” seal indicates a wholesome product that helps children enjoy developing physical, emotional, social or academic skills. Only about 20 percent of items submitted to the Parents’ Choice Awards™ program receive any level of commendation.

According to the Parents’ Choice review of Xplor, “This pamphlet-thin (18 pages) bi-monthly nature magazine produced by the Missouri Department of Conservation is a nice little glimpse into wildlife topics relevant to Missouri. While Xplor pages are high-gloss paper, the design and writing is all short takes about everything from how to make a birdseed wreath and how to build a worm hotel to how to plant a tree and how to take care of turtles. There are regular departments, such as ‘Strange But True’ (wow-factor critter tales such as meadow-jumping mice and Hercules beetles) and ‘Wild Jobs’ (people whose work life connects with nature). And always, sweet photos of animals. For Missouri residents (past and present) or for those planning a visit, the subscription price can't be beat.”

According to Xplor Editor Matt Seek, "It’s a huge honor to win a national award from such a well-regarded foundation and we’re thrilled. The award also reflects how much fun our team of writers, illustrators, photographers, and designers have making a magazine that inspires kids to discover nature."

To subscribe to Xplor magazine and to Xplor more online, visit www.xplormo.org, or subscribe by calling MDC at 573-522-4115, ext. 3856 or ext. 3249.