Does the Loch Ness Monster exist? Oh yes, and she’s a secret agent! In the very first graphic novel from Kelpies, the children’s book imprint at Floris, Secret Agent Nessie and her team of friends — genius inventor Bea the Beaver and quick-stinging Jelly the jellyfish — are on a mission to keep Loch Ness safe. Here, the team at Floris tell us more about the project.

Secret Agent Nessie
By Gary Chudleigh and Laura Howell
Published by Floris

‘I had a lot of fun writing for Jelly in particular,’ says Lego comics author Gary Chudleigh. ‘I took reference from every wee Glaswegian angry grandpa I knew. He’s bottled up lightning: always raring to go in order to help his team mates.’

When a gang of squabbling seagulls pulls off a heartless fish-and-chip heist, Nessie and her W.E.T. (Water Espionage Team) pals spring into action. But what monstrous master plan is their bird-brained enemy plotting from the ruins of Urquhart Castle? Laura Howell, the first female artist to have a regular strip in the Beano, loved illustrating the feathered felons for the book. ‘I enjoyed making them look as gormless as possible!’ she said.

Chock full of water fights, bird puns, larger-than-life characters and at least one stolen tractor, Secret Agent Nessie is a laugh-out-loud, full-colour graphic-novel adventure perfect for children aged 6 and up.

Gary’s favourite scene involves Nessie and friends coming together to take on the bad guys for the final showdown. ‘It’s my tribute to all the action movies I loved as a kid (and still do), and Laura drawing Nessie’s warpaint as tartan is the perfect touch.’

The W.E.T. (Water Espionage Team) have a secret base deep under the water of Loch Ness. The interior of Bea’s laboratory was a highlight for Laura – ‘It was entertaining to draw in all the details, but it’s also a pivotal character moment for both Bea and Nessie in the story.’

In a bold and wacky story full of twists, turns and puns, Gary hopes that children who read the book will learn that it’s okay to try something and fail, and that to truly succeed, they’ll need help from others. The ever-serious Laura hopes children will learn . . . to beware of angry chickens!

Secret Agent Nessie by Gary Chudleigh and Laura Howell is published, priced £7.99.