As far as inspirations are concerned, Sophie Cleverly was lucky enough to have an abundance of likeable and not so likeable characters to draw ideas from for her new book THE LOST TWIN. In this post, Murphy explores a list of her favorite childhood reads and characters that were always in the forefront of her mind while crafting this baffling mystery. From classics like MATILDA to the not so well known novels like MOONDIAL, Cleverly examines the dynamics of every influential villain and protagonist that lead her to Scarlet and Ivy. 

Most children are easily mesmerized by shiny new cars and toys, but for Chris Gall, the creator of the Dinotrux series, it was never about the finished product. From television remotes to tonka trucks, Gall was always more interested in disassembling the parts that made up a whole. Discovering the intricacies and mechanics of each and every pulley or wheel was vital to building something great. In this post, Gall explains however fantastical his collaberation of trucks and dinosaurs may seem, there is something masterful in building unconventionally.