St. Nicholas Magazine facts for kids

St. Nicholas Magazine was a very popular American magazine for children in the 1800s and early 1900s. It was published every month from 1873 until 1943 by a company called Scribner's & Co. For 32 years, the magazine was led by a talented editor named Mary Mapes Dodge. Many famous writers, like Louisa May Alcott, Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Rudyard Kipling, had their stories and poems published in its pages. The magazine stopped being published in 1943.

What Was St. Nicholas Magazine?

St. Nicholas Magazine was a special publication made just for young readers. It was filled with exciting stories, interesting poems, and fun puzzles. The magazine aimed to entertain and educate children across America. It quickly became a favorite in many homes.

The Magazine's Start

The idea for St. Nicholas Magazine came from the publisher Scribner's & Co. They wanted to create a high-quality magazine for children. They chose Mary Mapes Dodge to be its first editor. She was already a well-known writer for children, famous for her book Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates.

Mary Mapes Dodge's Leadership

Mary Mapes Dodge was the editor of St. Nicholas Magazine for over three decades. She had a clear vision for the magazine. She believed children deserved the best stories and art. Under her guidance, the magazine became known for its excellent content. She encouraged writers to create imaginative and thoughtful pieces.

Why Dodge Was Important

Dodge made sure the magazine was not just fun but also taught good values. She wanted children to learn about the world and become good citizens. Her strong leadership helped St. Nicholas Magazine become a leading children's publication of its time.

Famous Writers and Their Stories

Many of the most famous authors of the era wrote for St. Nicholas Magazine. This made the magazine very special. Children could read new works by writers they admired.

Louisa May Alcott's Contributions

Louisa May Alcott, known for her beloved book Little Women, often wrote for St. Nicholas. Her stories in the magazine were always popular. They often featured strong characters and heartwarming lessons.

Frances Hodgson Burnett's Works

Frances Hodgson Burnett, the author of The Secret Garden and Little Lord Fauntleroy, also contributed. Her stories were often serialized, meaning they appeared in parts over several issues. This kept readers eagerly waiting for the next installment.

Rudyard Kipling's Adventures

Even Rudyard Kipling, the famous author of The Jungle Book, shared his tales. His adventurous stories added excitement to the magazine's pages. Having such celebrated authors showed the magazine's high quality.

What Was Inside the Magazine?

Beyond famous authors, St. Nicholas Magazine offered a wide variety of content. It was designed to appeal to different interests of young readers.

Stories and Poems

The main part of the magazine was its stories and poems. These ranged from exciting adventures to gentle tales about everyday life. They often included beautiful illustrations.

Puzzles and Games

Each issue also featured puzzles, riddles, and games. These interactive elements made the magazine even more engaging. Children loved trying to solve the brain teasers.

Educational Articles

The magazine also included articles that taught children about history, science, and nature. These pieces were written in a way that was easy for young minds to understand. They helped children learn new things in a fun way.

The End of an Era

St. Nicholas Magazine was published for 70 years. It was a very long run for any magazine. However, like many publications, it eventually faced challenges.

Why It Stopped Publishing

The magazine stopped publishing in 1943. By this time, the world was changing. New forms of entertainment, like radio and movies, became more popular. Also, World War II brought new difficulties for publishers. These factors led to the magazine's closure.

Its Lasting Impact

Even though it is no longer published, St. Nicholas Magazine left a big mark. It showed that children's literature could be both entertaining and high-quality. It inspired many young readers and writers. Its legacy continues to be remembered in the history of children's publishing.

Images for kids

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  In this 1873 published primal acrostic the words are pictured instead of described. When the seven objects have been rightly guessed and written one below another, the initial letters will spell the surname of a famous man (Jackson).

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  Christmas number