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Skyjack launches “Poppet Magazine”, new girls title aiming to inspire technology learning

By John Freeman on March 27, 2014

Poppet Magazine, a new four-weekly magazine for girls based on the character from Moshi Monsters hoping to inspire an interest in technology goes on sale today (27th March), priced £2.99.

Published by SkyJack Publishing who also publish the Moshi Monsters magazine, according to distributors COMAG the Moshi Monsters children’s online game franchise, the creation of Mind Candy, continues to expand. More than 80 million monsters adopted in over 150 countries worldwide and brand new mobile ‘phone apps appearing all the time.

Now it is time for Poppet – “the most pawsome Moshi of all”, a pink monster with big blue eyes – to star in her own new magazine.

Aimed at girls aged 7 to 11-years-old, every issue of Poppet Magazine will be packed full of super stories, games, activities, puzzles and competitions based around Poppet and her exciting new group of friends, the Poppeteers.

As well as this, readers can join in the fun as they care for cute baby Moshlings and enjoy all sorts of adventures in this exciting new title based on the Moshi Monsters online universe.

The launch issue Poppet Magazine features five fantastic free gifts, including an exclusive Poppet notepad, pencil and eraser, a yummy packet of Haribo sweets and a sheet of Moshi Monsters tattoos, plus the chance for readers to win a full set of cuddly Moshlings.

Both the publishers and Mind Candy hope the new title will encourage young girls to become interested in technology.

Each issue of the magazine will feature the different types of jobs women can do in the technology industry; developers, product managers or programmers.

The magazine will also introduce new monster characters like Zaffi, a tech-savvy Moshi Monster who runs a Tech Squad, similar to the tech version of the Brownies’ after-school activity organisation.

“There is nothing currently in the market that aims to bring this exciting industry to life for this age group,” said Poppet magazine editor Jessica King.

“Mind Candy has education at the heart of its company values and we felt that there was a gap in the market when it came to educating young girls about the tech world; how to get involved, what jobs are available, but mostly how cool and creative it is.”

The magazine is also accompanied by Poppet’s official website, where kids can watch cartoon music videos starring Poppet and download additional content like desktop wallpapers, colouring outlines and hopefully technology projects in the near future.

Reporting on the new title’s launch, International Business Times reports that while women, on average, were collecting between £15-17,999 and £21-23,999 in pay, men were more likely to earn salaries of £24,000 or more.

There is an overall lack of interest in computing, according to the paper, as the latest available statistics from the UK’s Department for Education shows that in London only 382 female students decided to take Computing/Computer Studies at A-level, out of a total of 98,000 A-levels taken, and out of the students who took the Computer Studies A-level, ten times as many boys took the subject as did girls.

• Poppet Magazine Official website

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.