Arena Illustration

27/10/2026

The fang-tastic Neal Layton Illustrator / Author and Cressida Cowell were celebrating the paperback edition of their wonderful book, EMILY BROWN AND THE NOT-VERY-SPOOKY HALLOWEEN's at Waterstones Finchley Road O2 Centre. There was some fabulous spooky storytelling and live drawing.

Read more about this Halloween picture book here: https://shorturl.at/91YKl

EMILY BROWN AND THE NOT-VERY-SPOOKY HALLOWEEN is published by Hachette Children's

27/10/2026

Discover chilling tales from the frontlines and beyond with this spine-tingling collection - Wartime Ghost Stories by Esme Smith, with atmospheric illustrations by Joe Lillington.

Published this month by Imperial War Museum London, this beautiful volume features 17 stories spanning over 50 years of conflict, from the trenches of the First World War to Britain's home front during the Second, through the tense Cold War years.

Read more in our latest news: https://shorturl.at/gLxMX

And take a look at more of Joe's illustrations from inside Wartime Ghost Stories, over on his online portfolio: https://shorturl.at/RYPX9

23/10/2026

Congratulations to Natalie Smillie on her second stunning fiction cover for Pushkin Press and award-winning author Darren Simpson!

After last year’s spine-chilling folk horror hit THIRST, the dream team are reunited for LYKEWISE, a deliciously dark tale of cursed mirrors and doppelgängers, published just in time for All Hallows’ Eve!

Natalie has once again captured the eerie, atmospheric world of Darren’s storytelling, and the two covers look gorgeous together on the shelf. Darren himself is a huge fan, so we couldn’t agree more!

Read more on our blog: https://shorturl.at/crIzT

20/10/2026

Beavers aren’t often considered good detectives. But J Algernon Pickle bucks that trend. Sort of …

Meet award-winning author-illustrator Alex T Smith as he presents his brand new book, J. Algernon Pickle in ‘The Mystery at Odd-Doings House’, published by Hachette Children's. Mystery, mayhem, chocolate and immaculately-pressed slacks all abound as an unlikely duo investigate the theft of some priceless chocolates.

Experience this mysterious new novel, discover the secrets behind Alex's design process and get creative with an inspiring draw-a-long activity.

FREE tickets are still available at 11am on Saturday 7 November:

Beavers aren’t often considered good detectives. but J Algernon Pickle bucks that trend. Sort of …Meet award-winning author-illustrator Alex T Smith as he

20/10/2026

VOTE NOW! DON'T DELAY!

Adam Stower's Murray and Bun: Murray the Viking is shortlisted for the Best Laugh Out Loud Book for 6–8-year-olds in the amazing Scholastic UK's 2026 Laugh Out Loud Book Awards.

We love Murray and Bun! Take a look at all the shortlist for this category and vote now: https://shop.scholastic.co.uk/lollies-2026-6-8-shortlist

THANKS!

16/10/2026

One of the ways in which Harry's magical adventures have been brought to life is through a series of illustrated books. The first five were illustrated by Jim Kay, and now illustrator Levi Pinfold is taking over for the final two books. De-Graft went to meet Levi to find out how he brings Harry's ma...

16/10/2026

14/10/2026