Issue 123 is out now!

The latest issue of Storytime is hot off the press, and it’s a special treat for animal lovers. Inside, you will find a menagerie of magnificent creatures.

On the cover you will spot two incredibly cute sled dogs. Togo and Balto to the Rescue is all about their real-life epic adventure, when they saved the children of a small Alaskan town by delivering a life-saving medicine in the middle of winter. These heroic dogs have been memorialised in statues, feature films and even a famous dog sled race, and now Agnieszka Olearczyk pays tribute to them with her inspiring illustrations.

Animal fables are a classic story type, and they don’t get much better or more relevant than The Coyote’s Makeover. The scavenger tries to get fashion tips from other animals, but it doesn’t end well! The moral about the perils of chasing trends is as important today as when it was first written. Burcu Karacalar had great fun rendering the art for this story. Be sure to check out all the funny things that dozens of animals are getting up to in the margins!

Some animals are so precious that wars have been fought over them! Queen Maeve is about an Irish ruler who invades a neighbour’s land to steal the legendary Brown Bull of Cooley. Unfortunately for her, a superpowered hero called Cuchulain stands in her way! Artist Lucia Parvolo captures the grandeur of this myth and brings it to life on the page.

Simple Simon’s Big Catch is a much more light-hearted tale! The quirky boy tries to catch a whale but ends up finding something much cuter in a stream, and Sveta Sadykova is responsible for the illustrations that capture the carefree spirit of the story.

Ananda Ferreira brings the story of The Bear’s Bargain to life with colourful images! A woodcutter makes a bargain with the animal of the title by agreeing to trade logs for delicious rice and lentils, but will he treat the beast honourably? This story is funny and also makes us think about how we humans treat other creatures.

Journey to the Infinite Mountain is a story of wonder and adventure… and it’s inspired by a real place! The main characters are four siblings who go in search of a legendary place… but they ARE accompanied by Lupa, the faithful family hound. Gabriel San Martin will be your guide as he takes you along on this trip, thanks to his enchanting illustrations.

Prince Kindheart is a classic fairy tale about a prince on an adventure, but he gets help along the way from a talking swan! Ray Cardoso’s art is vivid and inspiring, and he even manages to create a cool image of an invisible knight. Watch out for it! 

The last story of the issue is The Secret of Silk – which involves a tiny grub or worm which lives in mulberry trees. It is this little fellow which enables a mythical Chinese empress to discover how to make one of the most beautiful and valuable fabrics in the world. Bela Pinheiro provided the gorgeous art for this story, which encourages us to think about all the ways in which our animal friends make our lives better. 

What animal would you like to see featured in a future issue of Storytime? Let us know!