Frequency Monthly Company New Leaf Publishing | First issue June 1993 Country United Kingdom | |
Editor Freya Hardy & Benita Estevez Categories Children's Magazine, Education, Science, Reading, History, Nature | ||
Aquila is an educational children's magazine that offers an alternative to mainstream publications. It is for boys and girls of 8-13 and features puzzles, fun facts and activities - and is advert-free. Each issue revolves mainly around a specific topic, for example Captain Cook, Science Special, The Equator and Medieval Times - all covered in 2013. The "lively and informative" magazine is aimed at bright pre-teenagers interested in hobbies beyond pop music and soaps, who "need to be able to feel good about themselves" and to realise that "there are other children out there like them" according to D J Taylor's article in the Telegraph in 2003. It was established in 1993 and is owned and run by New Leaf Publishing Ltd, a small independent publishing house situated in the coastal town of Eastbourne in the UK. ATE Superweeks, a UK summer camp provider, works in association with Aquila magazine to run an annual summer camp. In 2012 the camp was called The Eco-Venture and had a focus on the environment.
Features
Aquila peers into the past....
A history feature which spotlights many different topics and famous people. Past examples have included the invention of the metric system and Queen Elizabeth I. Aquila also has a feature called "Just Think....", which introduced basic philosophical concepts, and "It's The Law", explaining the laws that may affect Aquila readers, and how laws are passed.Wordworm
A feature related to English. In the past, Word worm's pages regularly featured a list of words linked to the month's topic, with multiple choice definitions. The reader then had to identify the correct definition.Fun With Maths
A page usually featuring number puzzles, but also occasionally introducing mathematical concepts and explaining them in detail. Examples of factual pages have included a feature on prime numbers. Very occasionally, the page featured a biography of a famous mathematician.Science Scene
A topic–related page introducing scientific ideas and famous scientists, often including a practical experiment. Examples have included a biography of Alfred Nobel and a page explaining how carbon atoms work.Astra's Guide To Space
This pages explores stars, planets and their moons, with up-to-date information of the latest NASA projects and findings. Has featured facts about the planets, black holes, time and gravity, and is there life on other planets?Things to make!
Arts and crafts page, with creative projects, methods of painting, and sometimes includes biographies of famous artists,On Track
An occasional feature which outlines the basic principles of many different sports from football to the less well known, or even invented games.Our World
Discusses important environmental issues, and themes such as evolution, how people live and their beliefs in countries worldwide, archaeology, wildlife projects etc.Over To You
A page where readers can send in letters, reviews, stories, or poems.Pen Friend Club
Readers who are looking for pen friends send in details of their name, age, interests and what sort of pen friend they are looking for.This item appears bimonthly.
In Tune
A music page called "In Tune" runs occasionally. It has covered famous composers, choir singing and making music.Paws for thought
A recent addition to AQUILA, the office terrier named Pepe, has his own page where he has tips for pet owners, and articles about animals.Brainfeeder
A monthly spread full of word and logic puzzles, general knowledge –all topic related. Answers appear at the back of the magazine.Story
Every month a 2 page story from new writers, sometimes running to 2 or 3 monthly parts.Competitions
Each magazine features competitions. Every year there is a 2 part treasure hunt and a “Finish the story” challenge. Winners are always credited in later magazines and often their practical work will be reproduced.