Adventures in Cartooning Graphic Novels

ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING: HOW TO TURN YOUR DOODLES INTO COMICS

Once upon a time . . . a princess tried to make a comic. And with the help of a magical cartooning elf, she learned how – well enough to draw her way out of an encounter with a dangerous dragon, near-death by drowning, and into her very own adventure! Like the princess, young readers will discover that they already have the drawing and writing skills it takes to make a comic – they just need a little know-how. And Adventures in Cartooning supplies just that.

PRAISE FOR ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING

Ostensibly, this is the adventure of an eager knight, a sweet-toothed horse, and a magic elf hunting down a gum-chewing dragon, and those reading for the adventure itself will not be disappointed, filled as it is with humor, action, and a great girl-empowering twist. But along the way, lessons in the language of sequential art are woven seamlessly into the narrative, explaining the basics of how elements such as panels and word balloons work, while concluding bonus features offer specifics on terminology (like gutters and stems) and common symbols (like speed lines). —Starred Review, Booklist

ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING: CHARACTERS IN ACTION

In Adventures in Cartooning: Characters In Action you'll learn how to create your own kooky characters. And fresh faces are needed -- the famous director Otto Airs is making a movie, and he's invited everyone in the kingdom to audition! It's your chance to dream up boatloads of wacky characters to star in the film. Discover how body language and expression are used to tell a story, dress a wizard to the nines, and choose the perfect rogue robot. After following the heroes on their cartooning adventure, you'll be ready to create characters to star in your own comic book!

PRAISE FOR CHARACTERS IN ACTION

“This is a Zen sort of art book. It teaches advanced art techniques while hardly talking about drawing at all. . . Hysterical--and useful.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Focuses on promoting creativity through zany scenarios and humorous characters . . . Children will appreciate the humor.” —School Library Journal

ADVENTURES IN CARTOONING: ACTIVITY BOOK

ALA Notable Children's Book Adventures in Cartooning was called "the best book of the year," in a starred review in Booklist, and was named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Building on the basic lessons presented in Adventures in Cartooning, this activity book leads kids through a story that they help tell by doodling and completing comics activities. And at the end, readers are invited to make their own comic book story!

PRAISE FOR THE ACTIVITY BOOK

“The superlative Adventures in Cartooning (2009) was a first-rate adventure story and clever comics primer for young readers. All the crucial bases are covered: illustrating expressions, characters, objects, and actions; using codes (like speed lines), perspective, dialogue, and sound effects; and panel sequencing and efficiency. All this culminates in a mapped-out array of blank panels for producing an entire story. Nothing else quite like this take on understanding and making comics exists, and few things in the future are likely to capture its charm, though there is certainly an issue with its built-in, print-specific limitations: be ready to xerox all the activity pages, or this will be a one-use activity book.” —Booklist