
- Mar 30, 2021
- 8 min
No Country
No Country is a gripping graphic novel about family and freedom, reformatted from the pages of The Phoenix comic into a brand new, chunky and easy-to-read package. This story has an exceptional ability to inspire empathy in young readers, as they can try to put themselves in the shoes of a young girl whose sense of security crumbles around her as war draws ever closer to her home. No Country is written by Joe Brady and illustrated by Patrice Aggs. Where does your motivation c

- Mar 23, 2021
- 3 min
The Voyage Back
Coming back to VAMPIRATES and working with the talented, passionate team at UCLan Publishing to create fresh editions of the six book sequence for the next generation, I was determined that the “reVamp” wouldn’t simply be a case of giving the books a “new look”. Although, can we just take a moment to appreciate the gorgeous new visuals? I’m so thrilled with the stunning new covers and logo, the detailed and extensive character art and the ship cross-sections which take reader

- Mar 15, 2021
- 8 min
Blue Peter Book Awards 2021
The winners of the 2021 Blue Peter Book Awards have been announced … Congratulations to Elle McNicoll, A Kind of Spark (Knights Of) and Mike Barfield, illus. Jess Bradley, A Day in the Life of a Poo, a Gnu, and You (Buster Books)! Ahead of the big day Armadillo reviewer Jackie Spink asked the shortlisted authors and illustrators a few questions, beginning with The Best Story Award books – Elle McNicoll, A Kind of Spark (Knights Of) - - Simon James Green, illus. Aleksei Bitsko

- Mar 11, 2021
- 7 min
The Marvellous Science of Space
A world that feels both alien and familiar– a fun place to hang out and go on an adventure, but with a little food for thought thrown in too

- Mar 2, 2021
- 4 min
The never ending text – how audiences keep stories alive
By Sally Pomme Clayton My Grandfather was wonderful storyteller. He would stand by our beds and transport my sister and I to the palace of the Fairy Queen, a world of tricks and mistakes, where magic always put everything right. I loved fairytales and myths, from Sleeping Beauty to Orpheus and Eurydice. I was supposed to leave them behind - but couldn't. I am passionate about fairytales; their metaphorical images are a well of mystery I can never get to the end of. My Grandfa