This month we would like to give you a ‘peek behind the scenes’ and talk about how we created the latest issue of Storytime. We hope you find this blog and the magazine interesting!
Storytime Issue 83 – Ready for Action!
The first thing you’ll notice when you rip open the envelope is the cover star. He’s the title Character in the tale of The Monkey King. This story is adapted from the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, and to say that this story is influential is an understatement! The story of Monkey and his friends is hundreds of years old, and it has inspired a popular TV series, the Dragonball cartoon, a series of Lego sets and even a rock opera by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewitt. Capturing that special ‘monkey magic’ was a challenge, but illustrator Hugo Cuellar did a spectacular job of bringing action, humour and colour to this epic. He gave us a fresh but faithful take on Monkey, his friends, and the strange creatures that they encountered!
The Chariot Race was submitted to us by Amanda Brandon, and we leaped at the chance to publish it. Kids are taught about the Roman era as part of the history curriculum, and it makes a great setting for stories. Amanda did excellent research, and also gave us relatable characters and thrilling action. Artists Ernest Sala and Mado Peña provided amazing visuals of a bygone time and rendered characters that we can care about and relate to. And if your kids are inspired by the excitement of chariot racing, they should definitely try the boardgame on page 48. It’s full of Roman-style thrills and spills!
Nadia, Who Dreamed of Flying! is set in more recent times and our nod to the Summer Olympics! It is about the childhood of famed gymnast Nadia Comăneci, and we could even use her own autobiography as reference when telling her story. Illustrator Roberta Bordone was able to watch TV footage of Nadia winning gold with a legendary ‘perfect 10’ performance at the 1968 Olympics. Our team at Storytime tells a story that will hopefully grip young readers while staying true to the athlete’s legacy.
Animals come to rescue in our bedtime story too! It’s the time of year where we feel like doing a bit of spring cleaning… but tidying up the house leads to an unexpected mishap in Thumbelina’s Sneeze, illustrated by Storytime favourite Giorgia Broseghini! When the tiny heroine finds herself far from home, she has to ask a toad, a mole and a swallow for help getting home.
In our Around the World Tale, the golden boy Kintaro’s life is transformed by a friendship with animals. He is a famous character in Japanese folklore and possesses the strength and costume of a true superhero. He has plays in the woods with his friends – but his strength will not go unnoticed. Ivan Barrera does a wonderful job of bringing this tale to life.
Would a fantastic creature count as an animal? We Watch out for the one guarding the Golden Fleece! In our Myths and Legends, we have a whole lot of Ancient Greek heroes teaming up to fulfil an epic quest! Santi Salas illustrates Jason and the Argonauts with some lovely details! It’s the superstar team-up mythology fans have been waiting for waiting for…
We have to admit that not ALL of this month’s stories feature animal – but we’re sure you won’t mind! Fabio Mancini captures the fun and whimsy of The Magic Mirror, a Spanish story about how a king looks for love using the powers of a barber’s mystical mirror. As you might expect, it’s a tale with a lesson to teach about how appearances can be deceptive!
Have you ever wondered how things are built? This month’s final story is sure to inspire any child interested in STEM subjects. Artist Arianna Bellucci puts her own special touch on The Junkyard Genius. It’s the true story of William Kamkwamba, a teenager from Malawi who taught himself electrical engineering and built an electricity-generating windmill from scrap! We hope this story makes you want to find out more about William and his achievements.
We hope this issue will inspire our readers in more than one way! Let us know below which story was your favourite this month!
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