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.

THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF BILLY PARTRIDGE

Award-winning creator Billy Partridge welcomes you to Kookaway Island and the potion-making prodigy… Eggboy! Set in a surreal world brimming with humour, magic and friendship.

This month we spotlight Billy’s gloriously offbeat animated series idea Eggboy, a delightfully bonkers world full of eccentric personalities and cinematic storytelling ready to leap onto a screen. His knack for character-led visual invention runs like a thread through everything he does, from immersive publishing projects to animation development.

An award-winning graduate of Leeds Arts University and winner of the prestigious Society of Artists’ Agents Award for New Talent at the World Illustration Awards, Billy first turned heads with his debut graphic novel Hupo and the Wonder Thief, published by Flying Eye Books. Inspired by nature, folklore and the playfulness of cartoons and Studio Ghibli, his work blends humour, magic and heart in ways that keep audiences coming back for more.

Billy Partridge is represented by Arena Illustration.

Hao Hao – HarperCollins

From breakfast to bedtime, Hao Hao’s art makes chemistry feel familiar and fun.

New Illustrator – Nastka Lisa

Nastka Lisova is an illustrator passionate about bringing small wonders and big feelings to the page. Working in watercolor and digital mixed-media, she creates illustrations that celebrate childhood, memory and emotional storytelling inspired by everyday life.

From an early age, Nastka was inspired by the world around her – she loved drawing what she saw: people, animals, flowers and trees. She grew up in a small Ukrainian village and spent much of her time outdoors, walking through fields and along the edge of the forest. She also loved reading and illustrating the stories she read, as books felt like portals to other places and lives she had never seen. Today, Nastka enjoys creating magical, heartfelt illustrations that inspire freedom of expression and a love for life, while gently reminding us how beautiful the world around us can be.

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.

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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David Stoten joins Artist Partners

Artist Partners are delighted to welcome to the agency the hugely talented artist David Stoten - illustrator, animator, storyboard artist  and all round talent,  having worked for the hugely popular  Spitting Image series.  Editorial assignments for Horse and Hound  and country life Magazine, amongst many others.

The go to artist for great whimsical caricatures and  characters.

For more of David’s fabulous work do check out the website:

David Stoten - Artist Partners

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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Mini Monsters, Big Style

Pintachan brings spooky charm and retro flair to Elvira’s First Book of Monsters, an officially licensed children’s board book.

Written by Elvira (Mistress of the Dark), Pintachan was entrusted with creating engaging, playful visuals to introduce classic horror icons; vampires, zombies, witches, ghosts, aliens and more, to young readers and enduring fans alike.

As an officially licensed early-concept board book featuring glow-in-the-dark highlights on the cover, the project demanded a tone that balanced creepy fun with youthful accessibility.

Pintachan infused each whimsical monster with colourful character, resulting in a visually lively and mischievously charming book that delights audiences with its style, humour, and just the right touch of spookiness.

Published by Running Press Kids, you can buy a copy here.

Pintachan is represented by IllustrationX