INSIDE ISSUE 34…

Greeks and Romans

In this issue we explore the classical worlds of Ancient Athens and Rome. We bring to life the everyday lives and tastes and quirks of the Greeks and Romans with an interview with Mary Beard, a graphic story about King Memnon, a look at some of the revolting food on a Roman table, award-winning fiction, brand new comic strips from Jamie Smart and The Etherington Brothers, and a celebration of the wonderful artist behind Horrible Histories. With the guidance of our guest editor, Philip Womack, we explore all the ways these ancient times mean so much to the way we live now and are a core part of our shared history.

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Oceans
This is an issue devoted to the majesty, mystery and magic of oceans. We are thrilled to be bringing together a truly excellent group writers and illustrators to chart a subject that is enormously important. In the pages of this issue we explore the reasons the oceans mean so much to our lives and our imaginations – from mythical and monstrous beasts of the deep to the real-life heroes of marine biology, this is an issue bursting with stories. Read the pledges of a wave of incredible authors, learn about the fabulous young ocean heroes of today and be guided by our wonderful guest editor, Lauren St John, on how you can become an ocean activist. This is definitely an issue to dive straight into.

INSIDE ISSUE 32…

Expression: Music and Poetry
Our February issue is all about ‘expression’ and we are looking at this idea through music and poetry. As our guest editor Joseph Coehlo tells us, ‘poetry and music translate the soul’. We look at how different cultures as well as different species use music and words to express who they are and what they believe in. We have features about beat boxing, an orchestra made of vegetables, a profile of Fela Kuti, two wonderful short stories, all our favourite comic strips, a look at the mystery of birdsong as well as the art of haiku and some wonderful poems from readers and published poets. This issue is an invitation from SCOOP to find your voice and, as Joseph suggests, ‘maybe after reading this issue you’ll pick up a pen, clap your hands, strum an instrument or sing your words to the sky.’

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The Future
What will the future be like? After a most unusual year, issue 31 of Scoop invites readers to look forwards into the next year and way, way beyond. With help from the children at our guest editor school, we look back to look forwards – from how the Moon landings of the last century influence our future relationship with space, to cartoons explaining the impact that sheroes of the past had on the future for all of us, and the ways people through history have tried to predict the future. We also showcase some of your predictions and hopes for the future. Funny and thought-provoking fiction takes you through time travel and to the near future. Plus, among future-themed games and puzzles, we give a sneak peek at some of the amazing inventions coming up in your lifetime and personalities who will help shape your future.

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Black Britain

Issue 30 Scoop celebrates Black History Month, an annual event during the month of October. Inside, guest editor Sharna Jackson introduces us to many stunning stories, amazing activities and fantastic facts from Black people living in Britain. The history of Black people in Britain is long and dates back at least to Roman times and here Scoop showcases some of the amazing contributions to science, art, culture and politics that has been made over the centuries by Black people.

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Heroes
Heroes in all guises are the theme of the 29th issue Scoop. In 2020 we have discovered that heroes don’t always wear capes: they are just as likely to be your next-door neighbour, grandparent or local shopkeeper as a caped crusader flying through the sky! Through this issue’s fiction you can join a school for superhero sidekicks, and come to the rescue of a pop hero. There are also amazing stories of real-life heroes – people and animals who have overcome danger, prejudice and the frontiers of nature and knowledge to make the world a better place. We meet many inspiring heroes from the world of books and, as usual, there are puzzles, games and book reviews galore.

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Sport
Celebrate sport in all its many forms in the 28th issue of Scoop! The Olympics have been postponed, and we can’t get out to play team sports at the moment – but this issue is packed with ways to enjoy and celebrate sport, in fiction, real-life stories, puzzles and creative games. Meet some of its most exciting superstars of the past, present and future, and find out about some activities you might never have heard of. Learn some new sporty tricks, from headstands and juggling to snail racing and mindfulness, and find out the best sporty books to start reading. Even in lockdown, with Scoop you can keep on exercising your body and your mind!

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ACTIVISM: Let’s Change the World!
Our 27th issue is about the power of using our own voices to change the world in a positive way. The pages of this issue are full of ways to inspire you by learning about moments of activism; from the way eccentric people live exactly in the way they choose, to looking at how the destruction of a stone wall in Germany brought change around the world. At a time when our planet is in great need of our help we wanted to explore ideas around activism past and future. We also invite you to think about what you can do to take action yourself and ways young people have made positive changes in past generations. This is an issue of empowerment so read and rise up!!!

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The Love Issue

In our February issue we explore Valentine-tastic love with bestselling and award-winning Piers Torday as a guest editor. Love grows from love – so whatever you love right now, be it your pets or the planets, always take pride in your feelings and desires, and show the world some love – because there’s a lot to go round!

INSIDE ISSUE 25…

Celebration and Tradition
When we wrap our presents, turn on the Christmas lights, sit down to Christmas dinner, we become part of traditions collected over centuries from different places. Father Christmas is the English Old Christmas and the German Santa Claus who, in turn, is the Russian Saint Nicholas, giver of gifts to children. Christmas trees are from Germany, the lights a safer version of candles lit to dispel darkness and symbolise the sun returning. Holly, ivy and mistletoe belong to ancient British and Celtic traditions of decorating the home with evergreens, holding the promise of new life in the spring.

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Africa in the World
Did you know that Africa is the second largest continent in the world? It covers six per cent of the Earth’s total surface area and twenty per cent of its land area. With so much to it, you can imagine there’s lots to discover and I hope you’ll learn more through these pages.

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Art
This issue is about the many stories art tells, the ways we look at art and the way art stretches us to think about the world with a new perspective. We bring you the story of a town where all the buildings have been painted joyful colours to reflect the spirit of the place, we wonder about the mystery of why cave art was made in caves, we look at how different artists work in different ways, from selfies to graffiti, we invite you to create your own portraits, monograms, galleries, hearts and stones. It is an issue jam packed full of marvellous ideas, stories, and activities to see you through the summer holidays!

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The Innovation Issue

In the pages of our June issue we go on a journey with our guest editor Konnie Huq to take a look at the many aspects of invention and innovation. Within the pages we delve into the stories of what happens when robots make bad decisions and how inventions can fail, we talk to an inventor who makes products out of used bubble gum, we think about the innovation of language and how nature inspires technology and we look at some historical inventions created by children, and as always we invite our readers to take part with games and puzzles throughout. This is an issue about the excitement of hairbrained ideas and how the world has been and continues to be changed by them.

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Wild
Joining the editorial team for our Wild issue is Ben Fogle, the award-winning adventurer, wilderness explorer and writer who has travelled to the remotest parts of the planet.

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Imagination
Imagination, when we actually use it, can, I believe, change the way we live and see the world. This issue brings treats of imagination in all sorts of stories, quizzes, interviews, games, articles and comics. You may just find that, as Einstein said, ‘imagination is more important than knowledge’.

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Music & Sound
Music affects each of us and plays a large part in making us who we are. Inside this issue we explore music and its part in the world, and also HOW we listen – isn’t it amazing that when Beethoven lost his hearing he listened through vibrations in the floor?

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Mystery and Spies
As Autumn approaches and the nights get longer, we wanted to bring you an issue brimming with pages of secrecy and mystery. Inside you will find stories of strangeness, read about how codes win wars and start to understand the achievments of some of the greatest women spies. With the approach to the centenerary of World War 1, this issue reflects on the heroes of the war and the longed-for peace that was finally declared.

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Our Planet
This issue will take you on many journeys, from the markets of Nigeria to the rock pools of Lundy. You will read about the preciousness of species both real and imaginary, from butterflies to mountain spring sprites. Pages are filled with wondrous facts from seafaring rubber ducks to a floating river in Wales. This issue is a cacophony of weird and wonderful words and pictures, all inspired by the Planet Earth.

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Human Body
Natasha Durley, Tara Deacon, Joe Haddow, Amelia Flower, Sarah Odedina, Sam Fre Hinton, Jenny Jacoby, Justine Duhe, Diana McCaulay, Cynthia Alonson, Ele Fountain, Bea Lostale, Jamie Smart, Rolli, Sandra Navarro, The Etherington Brothers, Tom Whipple, Marion Barraud, James Doyle, Lindsay Grime, Herbie Brennan, Nele Anders, Lucy Worsley, Katherine Harris, Lucy Rivers, Sammy Loehnis and more!