When I signed up for my magazine overview class this
semester I dismissed its validity in the back of my mind, to me it was simply a
hoop through which to jump in order to get my degree. Magazines were the shallow,
ad filled books you see, full of gossip and celebrities, while waiting to
purchase groceries. The only legitimate book I could think of was National Geographic.
Even Real Simple has its moments, sometimes I read it and wonder if the
editorial is actually an ad for product as well.
Then I discovered Brain, Child.
Now don’t get excited. We’re definitely not pregnant, but
yes, this is a magazine targeted at mothers. To this I reply, more than
covering the topic of motherhood this magazine gets at what femininity,
womanhood, caretaking are. It discusses issues that all the children in my life
face, mine or not. It’s a place for intelligent, thinking women to discuss and
learn about other opinions and experiences.
Some call Brain, Child the New Yorker for mothers. The
personal essays, short stories, and discussions have a literary, real quality
to them. The book is wonderfully almost void of advertisement and touches on
issues like child obesity, adoption, values, and teenagers.
"Brain,
Child treats motherhood as a subject worthy of
literature. And in the best tradition of literature, it celebrates the
diversity of mothers and their styles. Brain,
Child cuts past a lot of the bull to get to the voices that are truest —
not experts, but women who are or have been there."
Marcelle Soviero, editor-in-chief and owner of the
magazine, came to visit my class this last week. With five children of her own
and a teaching career in New York, she bought Brain, Child last summer. She’s
incredible.
This class has opened my magazine worldview. I’m seriously
considering a subscription to this quarterly, because I’ve spent much of the
day reading the two issues she gave out, cover to cover.
