Help: Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our Frequently Asked Questions. If you don’t find an answer, please contact us.
COMMON QUESTIONS
WEBSITE
ANSWERS TO MAGAZINE ACTIVITIES
MAGAZINE AND SUBSCRIPTIONS
COPYRIGHT AND PERMISSIONS
SUBMITTING PHOTOS
ONLINE SAFETY
PARENTS & TEACHERS
WRITERS & ARTISTS
KNOWN ISSUES
Which Internet browsers work best for Brilliant Star’s website?
Google Chrome (all versions), Safari 6+, Internet Explorer 10+ and Firefox 12+.
I’m a subscriber—why didn’t I get the latest issue of Brilliant Star magazine?
It’s possible your subscription has expired. To check your subscription’s status, contact Subscriber Service by e-mail at subscription@usbnc.org or by phone at 1.800.999.9019 or 847.853.7899.
Due to our work to launch Brilliant Star’s new website, magazine delivery is currently behind schedule. Even if your issues are late, you’ll still receive six issues for one-year subscription and 12 issues for a two-year subscription.
What should I do if my address changes?
If you have a complimentary subscription (for example, as a teacher or a registered Bahá’í kid between the ages of 7 and 12), please email us at brilliant@usbnc.org or phone our office at 1.847.733.3409..
If you have a paid subscription, please contact Subscriber Service by e-mail at subscription@usbnc.org or by phone at 1.800.999.9019 or 847.853.7899.
How can I get complimentary copies of Brilliant Star magazine?
Within the U.S., if you are a teachers of a children’s class, animator of a junior youth group, or a school teacher or counselor, we invite you to request a single complimentary subscription (limited quantities available). Please submit the form at this link to request a complimentary subscription.
If you have any questions about complimentary subscriptions, please contact us at brilliant@usbnc.org or call 847.733.3409.
If you have any questions about paid or gift subscriptions, visit our subscriptions page.
We occasionally have the opportunity to donate some back issues to a teaching event, charging only postage. E-mail us if you would like to request copies for a teaching event.
Complimentary copies are also sent to contributors who have given time, expertise, writing, and art.
We also offer complimentary copies (postage must be paid for) to Bahá’í pioneers who will be serving developing areas.
How do I submit photos to Brilliant Star magazine and Brilliant Star Online?
If you’re going to be a Radiant Star, a Trailblazer, or a blogger for Brilliant Star Online, we will need current, high-resolution, publication-quality portraits sent as .jpg files. Check out our photo tips for more details.
We’re always looking for professional photos of Bahá’í holy places, well-known landmarks, or animals. If we use your photo, we’ll credit you and send you complimentary copies of the issue.
Why don’t the website games work on my iPad?
The games featured on the Mystic Explorer were developed using Flash programming, which is not supported by the iPad. As we continue to develop the website, we hope to include games that will work on the iPad. Many other features of the website were developed to be compatible with iPads and tablets.
Why don’t the website games work on my iPad?
The games featured on the Mystic Explorer were developed using Flash programming, which is not supported by the iPad. As we continue to develop the website, we hope to include games that will work on the iPad. Many other features of the website were developed to be compatible with iPads and tablets.
Which Internet browsers work best for Brilliant Star’s website?
Google Chrome (all versions), Safari 6+, Internet Explorer 10+ and Firefox 12+.
What are some tips for using IMAGINATION STATION?
Our newly updated Imagination Station art app has lots of advanced features. It’s compatible with most internet browsers and devices, including iPads, tablets, and mobile phones. We recommend using a computer with a minimum memory of 4 GB, and the latest version of your browser.
While you're using the tools in Imagination Station, you can find tips by selecting the red question mark in each tool's dialogue box:
If your internet browser is an older version, it may not fully support Imagination Station. Some features (including saving and image uploads) may not behave correctly, or may cause the application to crash. Make sure you are using the latest version of your browser, and JavaScript is enabled. If your operating system does not support the latest version of your browser, you may want to use another browser. Google Chrome (all versions), Safari 6+, Internet Explorer 10+ and Firefox 12+ work best.
We recommend saving a version of your art every 10 minutes or so.
Any art created in Imagination Station may only be used for non-commercial purposes.
If you have specific questions or ideas for new features to add to Imagination Station, please email us at brilliant@usbnc.org or use the Contact form.
What if I have a problem using the website?
If you find any problems while using the website, please email us at brilliant@usbnc.org or use the Contact form. Thanks!
ANSWERS TO MAGAZINE ACTIVITIES
Click here to find answers to magazine activities.
You'll also find the answers to activities at the end of each full issue:
Check out the Index of Full Issues in the Luminous Library:
How do I subscribe (or renew my subscription) to Brilliant Star magazine?
Kids ages 7-12 who are registered with the Membership and Records Office at the Bahá’í National Center receive a gift subscription from the National Spiritual Assembly, until they turn 13. For information on registering, e-mail it-membership@usbnc.org or call 847.733.3445.
To order or renew a paid subscription online, visit the Subscribe page.
To order by phone or mail, contact:
Bahá’í Subscriber Service
401 Greenleaf Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: 1.800.999.9019 or 847.853.7899
E-mail: subscription@usbnc.org
Available Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, CST. Please allow 4-6 weeks for your first issue.
I’m a subscriber—why didn’t I get the latest issue of Brilliant Star magazine?
It’s possible your subscription has expired. To check your subscription’s status, contact Subscriber Service by e-mail at subscription@usbnc.org or by phone at 1.800.999.9019 or 847.853.7899.
Due to our work to launch Brilliant Star’s new website, magazine delivery is currently behind schedule. Even if your issues are late, you’ll still receive six issues for one-year subscription and 12 issues for a two-year subscription.
How does your bulk subscription program work?
We offer bulk subscriptions of 10 or more copies of the magazine going to one address. National Spiritual Assemblies and other Bahá’í institutions find it cost-effective to order a bulk subscription at a considerable savings. E-mail subscription@usbnc.org with your order for details.
How can I get complimentary copies of Brilliant Star magazine?
Within the U.S., if you are a teachers of a children’s class, animator of a junior youth group, or a school teacher or counselor, we invite you to request a single complimentary subscription (limited quantities available). Please submit the form at this link to request a complimentary subscription.
If you have any questions about complimentary subscriptions, please contact us at brilliant@usbnc.org or call 847.733.3409.
If you have any questions about paid or gift subscriptions, visit our Subscribe page.
We occasionally have the opportunity to donate some back issues to a teaching event, charging only postage. E-mail us if you would like to request copies for a teaching event.
Complimentary copies are also sent to contributors who have given time, expertise, writing, and art.
We also offer complimentary copies (postage must be paid for) to Bahá’í pioneers who will be serving developing areas.
How do I buy back issues of the magazine?
To obtain back issues of Brilliant Star, e-mail subscription@usbnc.org or call Subscriber Service at 1.800.999.9019 or 847.853.7899.
Are Brilliant Star magazine and Brilliant Star Online only for Bahá’ís?
Brilliant Star’s content, both online and in print, invites kids of all faiths, nationalities, and backgrounds to develop as world citizens. We promote concepts such as appreciation for cultural and racial diversity, peace for all, the equality of women and men, and the elimination of prejudices, which are central to the Bahá’í Faith. We also encourage universal values of good character, such as empathy, kindness, courage, creativity, and helpfulness.
When do I need to get copyright permission from Brilliant Star?
If you’re a teacher, you’re welcome to make copies of magazine pages (or printable PDFs on the website that previously appeared in print) in limited quantities for your class. The name of the magazine and issue date must be present on all copies, and proper credit must be given to the copyright owner. All content in the magazine and on the website is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the U.S. or by individual contributors.
If you wish to publish or translate pages in a newsletter or other publication, please complete the permission request form at this link. If you have questions, please email brilliant@usbnc.org.
All articles with the heading “Bahá’ís Believe” in the title may be freely reprinted, e-mailed, re-posted online, and otherwise reproduced by an individual or organization, subject to the following restrictions:
- They must at all times be attributed to “Brilliant Star magazine.”
- The reproduction must be accompanied by a link to this website (in online media) or the URL http://www.brilliantstarmagazine.org (in other media).
- Articles and photographs cannot be used in any way (including, without limitation, suggesting an association with or endorsement of any product, service, opinion, or cause) which conflicts with the intent and premise of the original source.
- Although this blanket permission to reproduce select articles from this site is given freely such that no special permission is required, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States retains full copyright protection for these articles under all applicable national and international laws.
- Some photos posted in the Explore section are copyrighted by individuals and may not be published in other sources without attribution and permission.
How do I submit photos to Brilliant Star magazine and Brilliant Star Online?
If you are going to be a Radiant Star, a Trailblazer, or a blogger for Brilliant Star Online, we will need current, high-resolution, publication-quality portraits sent as a .jpg files. Check out our photo tips for more details.
We’re always looking for professional photos of Bahá’í holy places, well-known landmarks, or animals. If we use your photo, we’ll credit you and send you complimentary copies of the issue.
What is Brilliant Star’s privacy policy?
Click here to read Brilliant Star’s privacy policy.
What is COPPA, and does Brilliant Star comply with it?
COPPA is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. As a nonprofit organization, Brilliant Star is exempt from COPPA. However, for the comfort and safety of kids and families, we have developed our website with mechanisms for parental consent when we ask kids for information that could be considered personal, such as an e-mail address. See our privacy policy for more information.
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a text file that stores information on your computer, such as your user name. Cookies can make using a website easier, because your Internet server can easily recall your information. If you choose, you can disable cookies in your Internet browser.
How do I submit articles or ideas for the Parents & Teachers section?
Brilliant Star welcomes your articles and ideas for our Parents & Teachers section. To submit articles or ideas, e-mail us at brilliant@usbnc.org or use the Contact form.
Where do you get the material for your Parents & Teachers section?
Most material for the Parents & Teachers section is written by volunteer contributors or by Brilliant Star’s staff. In some cases, we identify relevant articles posted elsewhere online and obtain permission from the author to republish it on our website.
How can I connect with other parents and teachers?
We invite you to connect with other parents and teachers in our Facebook group, the Brilliant Star Idea Exchange. You can access the group here.
The group is a forum for parents and teachers to discuss ideas and tips for parenting and teaching at home or in the classroom. It’s also for contributors who want to submit art, stories, or activities for our magazine or website.
To join the group, click “Join Group” at top right, and we’ll add you.
How do I submit my writing or art to Brilliant Star magazine or the website?
Read our Submission Guidelines to see what kinds of submissions we publish. We prefer submission of manuscripts and art files via e-mail to brilliant@usbnc.org. If your work is published, we’ll send you complimentary copies of the issue in which it appears.
Imagination Station and Browsers
- Some browsers, including Safari 5.1, do not fully support some features of Imagination Station, such as saving a file and loading your own image to the canvas.
- When saving your art in Safari, a new tab will open. With your cursor in the image area, right click your mouse (or tap the touchpad with two fingers if you’re using a touchpad). A dialogue box will open from which you can choose “Save Image As” to name and save your file.
- The “Paste” feature is currently not functional in Safari.
PDFs and Safari
In Safari, errors may appear in some PDFs. If using Safari, we recommend that you download the PDF to your device before printing.