Creatures are weird. In Issue 11: Creatures you’ll find a parade of real, imaginary, and ugly animals, including zooplankton—the tiniest creatures. You’ll meet wildlife specialists and medieval-era pets. Trace your pencil along the 3-D Monstermaze and create textured creature rubbings with us. Meet Dog-Chef, who will help you whip up a snack station for your bird pals. Plus, find short stories and poetry by young writers (as part of Illustoria’s partnership with the International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers) throughout this issue.

Meet artists who make gargantuan sculptures of majestic creatures from felt and metal. Exercise your imagination with story building writing and drawing prompts. Plus, check out laugh-out-loud animal jokes, motivational interviews with youth activists, and sketchbook how-to’s that will keep you engaged for eons. Enjoy these beastly and beautiful creatures and then try drawing or writing about your own creatures!

Illustoria is a print magazine for creative kids and their grownups. We celebrate visual storytelling, makers, and DIY culture through stories, art, comics, interviews, crafts, and activities. Our high-quality triannual publication is geared toward readers ages 6-12 and the young at heart. Illustoria is the official publication of the International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers, publishing writing and art by young people alongside accomplished professionals.