The official Moshi Monsters magazine is a big seller in the UK, but now it’s being joined by a second mag called Poppet, aimed at 7-10 year-old girls.

The twist here it that it’s hoping to encourage those readers to get interested in technology, including computer programming, with a view to future careers.

The magazine will feature a mixture of interviews, features, puzzles and “recipes”, with themes for each issue – kicking off with Earth Day and the environment in the first issue. Every edition will also include a feature about different roles for women in the technology industry.

“There is nothing currently in the market that aims to bring this exciting industry to life for this age group,” said editor Jessica King today, as the magazine was announced.

“We felt that there was a gap in the market when it came to educating young girls about the tech world; how to get involved, what jobs are available, but mostly how cool and creative it is. The tech industry has long been seen as a man’s world and something that is ‘not for girls’ but we completely disagree with that notion.”

And Poppet? She’s one of the existing characters from the Moshi Monsters virtual world, as well as being the heroine of the recent Talking Poppet app, which we wrote about in January. She’s also got her own website for children to keep up with her news – including some new monster friends.

Poppet magazine will cost £2.99 an issue in a newsagent or retailer near you. We’re wondering whether Moshi Monsters publisher Mind Candy will also launch it as an app, as they did for the main Moshi Monsters magazine recently.

Read about more Moshi Monsters apps for kids on Apps Playground, and check out our 100 Best iPad Apps of 2013 e-book – £1.99 from Apple’s iBooks Store