Okido (magazine)

OKIDO is a monthly art and science publication for young children, building the next generation of scientists through creativity, discovery and lots of fun. The magazine is published by Doodle Productions Ltd and was created in 2007 by artist Rachel Ortas and scientist Sophie Dauvois. They are assisted by Art Directors Alex Barrow and Maggie Li.

History

OKIDO Magazine, an independent publication, was started by parents from a kitchen table in Brixton in 2007, it was designed to fire up young imaginations and spark a life-long love of art and science. Today its founders, scientist Dr Sophie Dauvois (PhD BSc PG Dip.) and artist Rachel Ortas, are still every bit as passionate about engaging young kids in the scientific world around them using play, art and fun. OKIDO Magazine is now published monthly with a circulation of over 9,000 having won a host of awards and celebrity fans.

The magazine was funded by a Wellcome Trust Small Arts Grant from 2007 until 2009. In 2009, OKIDO was funded by a Wellcome Trust Large Arts Grant. In 2011, OKIDO became self-funded. Starting in 2014, OKIDO was published by Doodle Productions Ltd.

Content

OKIDO magazine was created as an antidote to the plastic wrapped, poor quality publications on the market, OKIDO is a content-heavy, beautifully designed, quality product with high profile contributors including artist Paul Noble, illustrator and author Benji Davies and illustrator and animator Lesley Barnes. Each issue starts with a story from Rachel Ortas’s much-loved, hand drawn character Messy Monster and also includes science answers from Zim, Zam, Zoom, regular character features, stories, puzzles, doodles, games, activities, science experiments, a poem, a recipe and a pull-out card activity.

Past themes have included: hair, body noises, music, weather, colors, friends, animals, space, babies, and health. Each issue's theme is explored through creative illustration, play, stories, stories, poems, songs, crafts, games, doodles, recipes, and activities.

Regular character stories include "Messy Monster" by Rachel Ortas, "Zim Zam Zoom" by Alex Barrow, "Yoga Monkey" by Paul Noble, and "Squirrel Boy" by Beth Morrison. Each issue also includes stories from guest illustrators.

Messy Goes to Okido

In September 2015, Messy Goes to Okido, which has been developed from the magazine, was launched on the BBC's CBeebies channel as a 52-part television series aimed at three to five-year-old children. Series 2 is currently on air.

References

• "OKIDO | The Arts & Science Magazine for Kids". www.okido.co.uk. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
• "Messy Goes to OKIDO - CBeebies - BBC". Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 5 October 2015.
• Sally Williams. "Okido: a new cult children's comic". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 October 2015.