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Indonesian school children in 30 cities across the archipelago — including on the islands of Ambon, Java, Kalimantan, Papua, Sulawesi and Sumatra — will soon have access to a new multilanguage magazine.

Launched in Yogyakarta on Tuesday, the magazine has a simple, colorful layout and is full of cute pictures. The kids’ monthly is put together by a group of journalists working with guides, teachers, artists and lecturers.

The primary aim of the 44-page magazine — which, aside from Indonesian, features the English, Arabic, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish — is to expose kids to multiple languages.

“We named the magazine Youkay, taken from the sound of the letters ‘UK,’ which stands for United Kids,” chief editor Iwan Dandi said.

He said the magazine is different from other publications for kids. Aside from the standard stories and short news, Youkay is aimed at sharpening its readers’ skills in nine areas, including languages, mathematics, music and personal relationships. Youkay also invites its readers to test their smarts with puzzles and games.

And while many Indonesian children are more familiar with US Disney characters like Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse, the magazine would like to explore characters closer to home. “We introduced local characters to explore the nation’s rich culture,” Iwan said.

The line-up includes Joko from Java, Ali and Aisyah from Aceh, Daeng from Sulawesi, Agapa from Papua and Maria from Kalimantan. Like the Little Einstein stories on the Playhouse Disney TV channel, the six characters in each issue invite readers to explore the world in a hot air balloon.

“Here are superkids. They love adventure and exploring. But, wait. They want to invite you. Would you please match the landmarks above with numbers?” the magazine’s text reads.

The adventures of Joko and Friends are featured in the Laskar Bintang (Star Squad) column. In the first edition, they visit a primary school in the United States. Ali is appointed to answer American childrens’ questions about terrorism in Indonesia and how a Muslim child is able to fast for a whole day during Ramadan. The story is in English and Indonesian, while vocabulary from five other languages is also used.

Youkay would be distributed in part through the help of Muhammadiyah, a Muslim organization, because some of its members are part of the group.

But Erwan Widyarto, the magazine’s senior journalist, said that Muhammadiyah has no official connection to Youkay, and that it has no particular religious or spiritual message.

“This is only a magazine to stimulate kids to learn seven languages and to widen their knowledge,” Erwan said.

Muhammad Nasih Ulwan, a first-grade student at Bina Umat junior high school in Yogyakarta, said he enjoyed reading the magazine.

“I was interviewed in English for Our New Friend column. Cool!” said the 11-year old boy from Bantul, Yogyakarta.

Without hesitation, he declared his ambition to be a scientist, talked about his love for books and about his hopes to go to Mecca at some time other than the hajj, with his parents.

In the My Voices column, children offer their opinions on various issues.

Pradipta Khairani, an elementary school student, urges, “Do not smoke. It is not good for our health.”

Eleven-year-old Fajar Fadhilah Nur advises to “keep our environment clean to have fresh air.”

Iwan said personal health and environmental issues are presented in a style that is meant to mimic so-called citizen journalism. “Children report from schools and are also campaigning for healthy living,” Iwan said.

Purwana, the group’s language editor, translated the children’s comments, various games and stories and short news items into five foreign languages: English, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish. Arabic selections are translated by another editor.

“I am also learning Russian and Portuguese, but we only use six foreign languages with similar language and cultural roots,” Purwana said.

The translator, who also works for the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association, said the magazine is a good tool to encourage children to learn foreign languages other than just English.

He added that for maximum impact, kids should read the magazine with their parents or other adults who are familiar with foreign languages. Candra Malik