Meet Chanté Timothy's science-loving genius and graphic novel star, Supa Nova
About Author
Chanté Timothy's new graphic novel introduces young genius Supa Nova, who looks to science to solve the world's problems!
Chanté has been drawing for as long as she can remember; she's always been the kid who asked for paper and pen to entertain herself instead of playing with toys. Chanté is a Pathways into Children's Publishing 2019 - 2021 Alumni and has illustrated a number of non-fiction books and picture books. Chanté featured in Dapo Adeola's Hey You! which won Children's Illustrated Book of the Year at the 2021 British Book Awards.
Interview
June 2025
Meet Supa Nova - scientific genius and star of Chanté Timothy's new graphic novel series!
Nova loves science and experiments, and finds an ingenious way to solve the world's plastic pollution problem in her first adventure, Supa Nova. Until it all goes badly wrong....
We spoke with author / illustrator Chanté Timothy to find out what inspired her debut graphic novel and to explore her love of science, what unique talent she would choose, and the importance of representation in her stories.
Review: "This is a page-turner with plenty of appeal for 7+ readers who are seeking out a new Marvel-like character with plenty of pizzazz!" Read an extract from Supa Nova.
Q&A with Chanté Timothy, introducing her Supa Nova graphic novels
"I think all representation is important, there is not one human that is the same and we all have
different stories to tell. So, let's tell them all!"
1. Hello Chanté, thank you for joining us on ReadingZone! Can you tell us a little about your path into children's illustration and creating your first graphic novel, Supa Nova?
I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. I studied Illustration and Graphics at Coventry University, worked on my first Children's book in 2018, and then I was hooked. After a few years working as a children's book illustrator, it was time to start creating my own stories. I had always wanted to work on a sci-fi book, so I had to make my own text. I worked with my lovely editor to develop the book, and here we are today with a full colour comic book!
2. What happens in Supa Nova? How long did it take to create your first graphic novel?
Supa Nova is a scientific genius who can create whatever she puts her mind to. In this adventure, she discovers that there is an island made of our waste plastic in the Pacific Ocean. Scientists have discovered that mealworms and mushrooms eat plastic very slowly, so she decides to speed up the process and create her very own monster to eat through the plastic island. Little did she know it would eat through the whole city!
It took roughly two and a bit years to create Supa Nova; she originally started as a sketch in 2019, but the official story was developed from the end of 2021-2024.
3. What inspired you to create this young science-mad heroine and something of a superhero? Do you relate to Nova's interest in STEM subjects; is her underground lab a bit of wish fulfillment?
Well, I've always liked science and new discoveries and her underground lab is certainly something a younger me would have loved to have! I don't believe Nova is a superhero though - just a really intelligent scientist. The best, one would argue, but if that makes her a superhero then so be it.
4. We love Nova's cute invention, Chomp, but how much actual science is involved in Nova's experiments?
Unfortunately, Chomp himself is a work of fiction, but the mealworms and mushrooms are the real science. There really are plastic-eating mealworms and lots of different mushroom species that eat plastic
5. Do you hope that Nova's quest to find something that will 'eat' plastic will prompt young readers to be more aware of our plastic consumption and its consequences?
Yes, I hope it makes readers young and older think about how they could maybe reduce the plastic they use. What can you reuse or recycle? Where we can pause on single use plastic we should. Just until the real Nova-like scientist creates something that can actually break down plastic, faster than we consume it.
6. Is it important to you as an author and illustrator that children are introduced to more young black 'superheroes', too? How much do you think has changed for today's young readers?
I think all representation is important, there is not one human that is the same and we all have different stories to tell. So, let's tell them all! I think young readers of today are very lucky to have an ever-expanding pool of diverse books - there is still a long way to go. I would have loved to see someone who looked like me in a cool adventure.
7. If you were an actual superhero, what would you want your special talent to be?
My answer might be boring but I would like to know every language in the known universe. I think knowing more than one language is the coolest natural power!
8. And if you could bring one of Supa Nova's science gadgets into the real world, what would you choose?
I would definitely love her Supa Nova Mega Tron, so cool!
9. Do you have more adventures planned for Supa Nova? What's coming up next?
Yes, I have lots of ideas because there's always a new science discovery happening. I can tell you that book two will have something to do with computers! I have other fun stories in mind, but my main focus is this series for now…
10. What kinds of things do you enjoy doing when you're away from your studio?
I love all things craft! Sewing, crocheting, painting nail designs - and the most random hobby I have is Roller Skating!
Supa Nova
