Panini UK set to launch “Henry Hugglemonster” title

By John Freeman on April 3, 2014

Henry Hugglemonster © Niamh Sharkey

Panini UK is to launch Henry Hugglemonster, a new 36-page monthly magazine for pre-schoolers, featuring the monster family from Disney Junior’s TV show, on 17th April.

The show, which launched last year and airs in 150 countries worldwide, is based on the book I’m a Happy Hugglewug, published by Walker Books, created and illustrated by the current Irish Laureate na nÓg, or Laureate for Children’s Literature, Niamh Sharkey, who is also an executive producer on the show.

The magazine features stories, puzzles and learning activities, and will also include cut-out-and-play activities to encourage role-play and imagination, monster horns to cut out and wear and a pop-out monster card to make, among others.

Every issue will feature two read-along picture stories based on episodes, and also include a free gift as well as a sticker sheet featuring over 80 stickers that can be used in the magazine.

Henry Hugglemonster will launch Thursday 17th April 2014, targeting boys aBooks. The illustration style of the book is retained in the CG animation.

Niamh’s other credits include include The Ravenous Beast,Santasaurus and On the Road with Mavis and Marge, which won the Junior Book of the Year category at the Irish Book Awards 2010.

• Henry Hugglemoster – Official UK Disney Site

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as 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.