COSMIC KICKS AND ALIEN TRICKS FROM ALEKSEI

Aleksei Bitskoff blasts onto bookshelves with an uproarious cover for The Galaxy World Cup, a galactic football adventure where underdogs meet aliens and chaos reigns.

Get your boots on and prepare for take-off! Alan Joyce’s The Galaxy World Cup lands courtesy of Chicken House Books with a brilliantly bonkers cover illustration by Aleksei Bitskoff that perfectly captures the madness, humour and interstellar action inside. When a rag-tag team of schoolboys get mistaken for Earth’s greatest players and zapped into the universe’s biggest tournament, Aleksei’s character-rich visuals bring every extraterrestrial oddball and unlikely goal scorer to life - on and off the pitch.

Known for his finely observed line work, imaginative worlds and instinctive sense of comedy, Aleksei’s cover doesn’t just sell the story - it sells the fun. From weird alien spectators to snap-shot moments that feel like they’ve been plucked straight from the game, his art effortlessly invites readers aged 7–11 (and anyone who knows the agony and ecstasy of a last-minute goal) to dive in.

Aleksei Bitskoff is represented by Arena Illustration.

WHERE THE DRAGON WAITS ILLUSTRATED BY GAIA ALESSI

Gaia’s striking cover unleashes a visually rich fantasy world packed with dragons, wolves and a pangolin, capturing the magic and adventure at the heart of this imaginative quest.

Out this month, Where the Dragon Waits by Tom Moorhouse (David Fickling Books) follows Ed and Steff as they navigate magical realms, encounter mysterious creatures and seek the elusive dragon atop an impossibly tall spire - and Gaia Alessi’s bold, narrative composition brings every twist to life with mythic energy.

A standout example of atmospheric world building and evocative character design, this cover showcases Gaia’s talent for translating fantastical fiction into unforgettable cover imagery.

Gaia Alessi is represented by Arena Illustration.

SCARLET SAVES THE MULTIVERSE ILLUSTRATED BY DOTTY SUTTON

Dotty brings her bold, expressive style to the hilarious, high-octane sequel to Scarlet: Defender of the Universe by James Davis, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books. 

Out this month - Scarlet Saves the Universe is packed with time-twisting mayhem, double-trouble Scarlet-clones, cyber beetles, supercomputers and very important dolphins, Dotty Sutton’s cover and black-and-white interiors crackle with humour and energy, perfectly matching the book’s off-the-wall adventure.

A stellar example of dynamic character work and narrative playfulness, this project showcases Dotty’s flair for visual storytelling in middle-grade fiction - perfect for commissioners seeking fresh, funny illustration talent.

Dotty Sutton is represented by Arena Illustration.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM ARENA ILLUSTRATION

Murray Christmas and a very Happy New Year! As we hang up our stockings and wrap up the final bits of 2025, we’re celebrating the joy of working with such talented artists and wonderful clients. Here’s to a bright, creative, and laughter-filled 2026!

Many thanks to Adam Stower for his festive artwork featuring Murray & Bun.

Adam Stower is represented by Arena Illustration.

Neal Layton Serves Up Hot Food: Nice!

Neal teams up, once again, with Michael Rosen to bring the viral poem-turned-picture book Hot Food: Nice! to life - a deliciously chaotic tale of a too-hot potato, a well-intentioned (but hapless) dad - what could possibly go wrong?

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Joe Lillington Illlustrates Wild Journey!

Joe Lillington takes us on a global story with Wild Journey, a brand-new story collection by A.M. Dassu that follows five children across five countries on one big adventure. 

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CHRISTOPHER GIBBS – THE ART OF DARKNESS

With his distinctive fusion of the beautiful and the macabre, we unveil Christopher Gibbs’ updated portfolio that celebrates his mastery of atmosphere and storytelling. 

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ADAM STOWER WINS GERMANY’S TOP CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE

Celebrated illustrator Adam Stower has just been awarded the prestigious 2025 German Children’s Book Prize for his work on Murray the Viking (published in Germany as Muffin und Tört bei den Wikingern). 

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RICHARD JOHNSON WEAVES MAGIC IN CHILDREN OF THE THRONE

In Joseph Coelho’s poetic picture book, Richard’s theatrical, emotive illustrations guide readers through a world where children discover the hidden power of nature and learn how small actions can spark big change.

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DOTTY SUTTON FREEZES TIME WITH ALEX VS AXEL: THE THIEF OF TIME!

Following the madcap adventures of The Impossible Quests, Dotty Sutton reunites with author Sam Copeland and Puffin to deliver another riotous tale packed with peril, comedy, and brilliantly bold artwork.

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