Category Archives: Competition/Giveaway

Would you describe yourself as a modern parent trying to lead a sustainable lifestyle for your family? If your answer is a resounding “yes”, then boil the kettle and put your feet up as there’s a new magazine that is sure to help steer you in the right direction. USA based Natural Child World (NCW) magazine features innovative and modern product design for your children along with articles and tips from a variety of experts on child rearing – in a modern and sustainable way. No tie dye or hippies in sight – promise!

NCW first launched in L.A in early 2011, and quickly attracted a national readership across the USA via outlets such as Barnes and Noble and Wholefoods USA. To celebrate its first birthday, the magazine has just launched worldwide via  online subscription, making it an easy and accessible read from your ipad, laptop or desktop computer!

Barbara Manconi, Managing Editor of NCW is no newcomer to the sustainability scene. With a background in “green” marketing,  teaching and consultancy work she brings many years experience to NCW.  She generously gave us her time to answer a few questions, plus provide us with a quick peek at what to expect in next month’s mag.

1. Where did the idea for Natural Child World stem from?

First and foremost from the love for children and the love for beautiful design. NCW was born with aspiration to promote the attractive side of sustainability to modern parents with a conscience and a taste for life. I wanted to defeat a stereotype: green means sacrifices. I wanted to prove that is possible to live a healthier and a more sustainable life without sacrificing style, taste or performance.

NCW is the result of many years of experience as a marketing professional consulting for international clients and teaching at major American Universities Sustainability and Green Strategies. I couldn’t find for my clients an outlet that would feature exceptional design, great photography and sustainable principles. The sad choice was simply between traditional parenting magazines full of redundant information and far from sustainable content or “tree hugger/granola” type of publication that would alienate the majority of people not willing to “commit” to that extent.

2. What are the main features readers can expect to find in the magazine?

The magazine has a heavy focus on design and style. Simply because giant leaps have been achieved in these industries and amazing companies are producing beautiful products using sustainable principles as tools for innovation. For this reason many of our readers compare us to Dwell magazine. For our clean and minimalistic design and content we have been compared to Wallpaper magazine. The most important thing that also sets us apart I think is the fact that we feature international and global content. From the Fashion Summit in Copenhagen to the small design studio in Melbourne, we bring to our readers the latest trends in modern parenting and modern sustainability with no boundaries and borders. So that parents can feel inspired and more connected.

3. What do you see as the important issues for raising children in today’s climate?

Education is key. At different levels. A) Parents need to educate themselves more than ever to be able to make informed decisions for their families and be able to navigate through often misleading claims.  B) Parents need to understand the responsibility of being role models for their children and start shifting to healthier and more sustainable behavior that can be emulated by the little ones.

4. What do you see as important features in designing new products for children?

Leaving aside safety standards that are obviously key, a successful product nowdays is a product that can “grow” with the child. Children grow so fast and get bored so easily, a product that can follow and adapt to multiple life stages will last longer, will meet parents’ (and wallets’) favor as well as create less waste. Another key element is also the opportunity to spur children’s imagination. A new generation of children are growing up oversaturated with technology, and parents are increasingly concerned that imagination and active play are at risk. This is an amazing opportunity for companies to come up with creative ideas.

5. What were your top 3 children’s design products for 2011?

•  Kalon Studios Hut Hut Kids, a modern reinterpretation of the rocking horse, created with innovative non-toxic resins (kalonstudios.com);
•  5 Phases 1^st hybrid baby bottle internal glass bottle + covered by a shell of plastic; and 
•  Ubabub pod cribs, ultra stylish and safe, and…Australian!! 

6. Can you give us a sneak peek into what’s in store for Natural Child World 2012?

We will be expanding online, launching our online shop and affiliate program, and we are looking at international distribution in Europe, Australia and Asia.

7. Where can Australian readers find your magazine?

The print edition can be purchased online at www.naturalchildworld.com and we are launching our digital edition for computers and iPad in March 2012. This will be available on our website as well and on zinio.com. Currently we are looking into physical distribution into Australia and New Zealand. 

++ GIVEAWAY DETAILS ++

To celebrate the worldwide launch, we have 3 online subscriptions to giveaway!

To enter simply follow instructions below. 

 (i) LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW telling us why you’d like to win a subscription to Natural Child World; AND for an extra entry

  (ii) By midnight on Friday 24^th Feb (Australian EST), “Like” Natural Child World on facebook with comment “I’d love to read Natural Child World in Australia”.

The winners will be drawn at random on Saturday 25^th February 2012 (Australian EST).  The winners will be notified by email.  GOODLUCK!

~~ Natural Child World ~~

Online Subscription (1 year-6 issues): USD $26.99