Todd-Stanton’s stories serve the threefold purpose that all good children’s literature aspires to: they look to educate in a fun and accessible way, leave the reader with a strong moral lesson to consider, and provide a rollicking good tale along the way. The latest Brownstone’s Mythical Collection book, Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse, ticks all three boxes, informing and entertaining its readers in equal measure. Like Todd-Stanton’s earlier Brownstone family misadventures Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse fuses sequential art and children’s illustration into one satisfying hybrid whole. As protagonist Leo is fallible but likeable, prone to the mistakes and errors of judgement that prove the catalyst for later events. Themes of tolerance, understanding, heroism, friendship, and standing up to abuses of power follow from there. While ultimately Leo and the Gorgon’s Curse is a feel good short it achieves its amiability without ever being frothy or superficial in delivery. There’s lots for the younger reader to take away and consider.

Joe Todd-Stanton grew up in Brighton and was taught to draw by his mother, who is also an illustrator. He studied at UWE Bristol, receiving a first class degree in Illustration. His work has been highly praised and his book The Secret of Black Rock was longlisted for The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 and won a 2018 Waterstones Children’s Book.