‘Wonder and curiosity’ fuel a new LA-made magazine for kids

In a world where even toddlers are increasingly on screens, local graphic designer Meeta Panesar has created a print magazine called Bobbety that invites readers to explore the world and their own creativity.

These smiling colorful blobs are the main characters of Panesar’s magazine.

“Bobbeties embraces life with wonder and curiosity, loves to learn and wants to share the joy with others,” Panesar said. “They also love a good snack.”

That’s why every quarterly issue has a section on food, in addition to fun facts, games and creative prompts tied to a central theme. The latest issue focuses on Halloween and other fall traditions.

When Meeta Panesar isn't working on Bobbety, she's a freelance graphic designer and illustrator.

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Courtesy Meeta Panesar

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Bobbety joins a growing number of publications designed for younger readers, despite the overall decline of the magazine industry. Children’s print media has existed in the U.S. for more than 200 years, but one reason for the renewed interest now is parents' concern about how much time their kids spend on screens and social media.

The colorful creatures of Bobbeton lived in Panesar's head for years, but she started working on the magazine in earnest about three years ago and published the first issue in March.

The target audience is 5- to 10-year-olds, but she said that younger readers enjoy the bright colors.

“I hope kids can see themselves in Bobbety and see that, see the joy in being a curious and creative human being,” Panesar said.

Bobbety’s backstory

The inspiration for Bobbety is rooted in Panesar’s childhood in Lancaster in Santa Clarita.

She’s the middle child of three daughters who loved drawing, reading Highlights magazine and playing board games with her family.

“I wouldn't say I was like the biggest fan of school, but learning I’ve always loved,” Panesar said.

Panesar grew up with Indian food, music and movies, but her parents also encouraged them to learn about other cultures.

“It's definitely widened my world,” Panesar said. “I've learned so much and there's so many things that I appreciate from other cultures, and I think it should be shared.”

Meeta Panesar as a child with her Papaji, Param Panesar. Each issue includes a Bobbety with glasses, which represents her father.

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Courtesy Meeta Panesar

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Panesar said her Papaji, Param Panesar, was an engineer, a reserved man, who loved a roadtrip and taking the family out to Mongolian barbecue.

“Growing up in an Indian family, you don't really expect your kids to grow up to be artists,” Panesar said. “It's usually like, ‘Oh, you have to be a doctor, or an engineer or an accountant,' but he was always so supportive in what we wanted to do with our lives and he always pushed education first.”

Panesar graduated from the Art Institute of California in San Francisco and went on to work as a designer at tech, beauty and real estate companies.

How Bobbety is made

Panesar started working on Bobbety in December 2022 following the unexpected death of her Papaji the year before.

“Ever since he's been gone, I've been longing for that feeling I had as a kid,” Panesar said.

The magazine, Panesar said, is created with the unexpressed love she has for Papaji. But Bobbety also reflects the joy she shares with the rest of her family.

For example, the name, Bobbety, is a nickname Panesar shares with her sisters. Her nieces provide feedback on the games. Her sister Hema writes the comic, Hooty, Boo and Chakoo.

Panesar also taps her network — one friend is a creative director, another photographs each issue and another is an educator with experience developing curriculum.

Pasadena’s Typecraft prints each issue on thick matte paper that’s both perfect for coloring and strong enough to stand up to kids’ occasionally overeager page-turning.

Bobbety is currently available by subscription, but Panesar hopes to bring it to local bookstores, schools, libraries and pediatric hospitals. The target audience is 5- to 10-year-olds, but Panesar said that younger readers enjoy the bright colors.

“There's a lot going on in the world,” Panesar said. “Living is really hard. So I want to bring more joy and just playfulness and silliness to the world.”