Billy Partridge grew up in Nottingham, surrounded by a family of painters, designers and wood carvers. After spending his early years doodling peculiar creatures and writing short stories and poems, he decided to study illustration at Leeds Arts University, where he graduated with a first class honours degree. He was the recipient of a merit in 3x3 magazine's 2022 illustration awards, and has been nominated for a V&A illustration award. At the heart of his work is a fascination with the weird and wonderful, intriguing characters and mystical worlds.

"The drives to discover and to become a legend lead to great adventure. Hupo the dog-rabbit meets with the old adventurer Humdingo aboard his airship. A juicy setup follows as Humdingo relays the tale of the Doom Lagoon and a witch's magical gem housed there that keeps terror-eating beasts called Fears at bay. [...] Empowering messages about standing firm in the face of insecurities and learning to manage (not eliminate) one's fear see this story to a winning conclusion [...] A real humdinger, full of heart and pluck"
-- Kirkus Reviews

"Hupo's endearing curiosity and Partridge's bubbly, quirky set pieces have great potential to amuse and engage middle grade readers in search of light adventure. Created in a narrative and visual mode familiar to lovers of the "Hilda" series, this is a solid secondary addition to graphic fantasy collections."
-- Kirkus Reviews

Publisher: Flying Eye Books

Pub date: 2026-05-05

Length: 64 pages