What is LOVE? In this issue, featuring a gorgeous cover by Valerio Vidali, we spotlight friendships, families, hobbies, fan clubs, and unlikely animal buddies. Famous duos of kidlit reveal love in action, a poet ponders where love resides, and collaborating artists discuss the bittersweet joys of co-creating. Learn to say love in another language, send anonymous valentines, and make fairy bread for your bestie.

Write a short story about a professional raisin squisher, learn about unlikely animal friendships, and read an interview with Ashton Mota, an Afro-Latino youth activist. Make wild forage paint brushes, check out cartoon hearts drawn by kids from around the world, explore book reviews submitted by readers on the subject of friendship, and so much more loving content it will make your heart explode into bits!

Illustoria is a print magazine for creative kids & their grownups. We celebrate visual storytelling, makers and DIY culture through stories, art, comics, interviews, crafts and activities. Our high-quality, tri-annual 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.