Aquila (children's magazine)

Aquila is a children's magazine, featuring puzzles, fact files, jokes, and a pen pal page. Each issue revolves around a specific theme, such as a species of animal or famous individual.

Features

Each feature in the magazine is presented by a cartoon character.

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 appeared in 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.

Be A Wordworm

A feature related to English. In the past, Wordworm'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.

cience Scene

A page introducing scientific ideas and scientists. 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. Pages have featured a fact file about each planet, with information such as how long a day lasts and the average temperature on that planet.

Art Alive!

This page includes biographies of famous artists, things to make, and methods of painting.

On Track

A feature which did not appear until the magazine was six years old. This page outlines the basic principles of many different sports.

Our World

Discusses important environmental issues, and themes such as evolution.

Over To You

A page where readers can send in letters, 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.

In Tune

A music page called "In Tune" ran very briefly.

Cover Design

Once a year, the magazine usually features a cover designed by an AQUILA reader. In the summer issue - a double issue combining July and August - details are given of the theme of the October issue. Past themes for cover designs have included;

*Mystery and Horror
*Books
*Crafts
*Cookery
*Mystery
*Caring For The Planet

Several runners-up are usually published in the magazine.

Competitions

Each magazine features two competitions, except the summer one, which features four. Wordworm's page usually consists of a crossword during Christmas and in the summer. There is also occasionally a "Finish The Story" competition, where a famous author starts a story, and the readers are asked to write the conclusion. In the past, the magazine featured problem pages such as Aquila Line, where readers could write in to Rhonda, an agony aunt, about home and school problems, and Ask Dr. Annabel, where readers could ask an expert about health and medical matters. Both these features have not appeared for some time.