KCR! 12 – ALA Annual with Chris Giarrusso and Matt Phelan
September 20, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Artist Alley! Storm in the Barn! G-Man! Secret Science Alliance! And More!
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Tabling at conventions is an integral part of how cartoonists promote their work.
But now that the American Library Association has opened up an artist alley for graphic novelists at their Annual Conference, we’ve got a brand new venue with an entirely different set of expectations. How do things change when selling your work to librarians instead of the general public?
We’re joined by cartoonists Chris Giarrusso and Matt Phelan, who help us bridge that gap and reveal how librarians are our best allies in connecting our books with the readers we’re looking for.
We’ve also got a book talk from teen contributors Shelby and Sara!
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Chris Giarrusso’s G-Man series
- Matt Phelan’s new book, Bluffton
- Gregg Schigiel
- Paul Pope
- Jacob Chabot
- nemu*nemu
Books recommended in this episode:
Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.
This episode features songs by The Phenomonauts and Morrissey. Theme music by Harry and the Potters.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and KCRpodcast on Twitter!
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KCR! 11 – Aaron Renier & KCR! Award Winners LIVE at ALA Annual
August 24, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Kids Comics Awards, Unsinkable Walker Bean, ALA GN Stage & more!
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We’re on the red carpet getting ready for a special awards edition of the Kids’ Comics Revolution!
There are many awards for cartoonists and authors. The Harveys, The Eisners, The Ignatz, and even more in the world of children’s book publishing.
And while every one of these awards are terrific honors and vehicles to introduce audiences to worthy works, might not there be room for one more award to specifically honor the authors of kids’ comics?
We have a special panel discussion about the Kids’ Comics Revolution! Awards recorded live at the 2013 American Library Association Conference in Chicago, Illinois. We’re we are joined by Aaron Renier, author of The Unsinkable Walker Bean.
We’re also joined by librarians Laura Given and Jess Stork Glicoes, who pick up the banners and sound the charge for the Kids’ Comics Revolution!
Check out the KCR! Awards Ceremony held at Kids Read Comics 2013!
Photo of Jeff Kinney winner of Best Cartoonist and Best Comic/Novel Hybrid in the 2013 KCR Comics Awards!
Additional Photos & Complete List of Winners in the KCR! Kids Comics Awards.
Links mentioned in this episode:
- List of kid-friendly comics in 2012
- Kids Read Comics
- Toronto Comics Arts Festival
- Article about Nickelodeon Magazine Comics Awards
- Videos by Kevin Coppa
- ALA Graphic Novel Stage
- CBLDF: Raising a Reader initiative
Books recommended in this episode:
- Meanwhile by Jason Shiga
- Beanworld by Larry Marder
- Big Bad Ironclad! by Nathan Hale
- Kids Read Comics
- Toronto Comics Arts Festival
- “Libraries are Screwed” by Eli Neiburger
- Minecraft as an educational tool
- #nerdybookclub
- #bookaday
- Ann Arbor District Library comics site
- Instagram pic Colby Sharp posted of his kids sharing the mini-comics they made at KRC.
- Scott Robins interview on KCR! Episode 4
- Flight Volume 4 edited by Kazu Kibuishi
- Igloo Head and Tree Head by Scott C.
- Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi
- Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan
- Adventures in Graphica by Terry Thompson
- The Sullivan’s Sluggers Kickstarter campaign
- The Aw Yeah Comics! Kickstarter campaign
- Jake Parker’s Antler Boy and Other Stories Kickstarter campaign (also check out his DRAWINGS campaign!)
- Kicktraq – Kickstarter stats tracker
- Funding the Dream Podcast
- “Molly and the Bear” by Bob Scott
- “Jane’s World” by Paige Braddock
- “It’s Tokyo, Charlie Brown” by Vicki Scott and Paige Braddock
- Avengers vs X-Men
- Maximum Ride
- X-Babies: Stars Reborn
- The Mighty Skullboy
- The Intrepid Escapegoat
- Defenders
- Tiny Titans
- Superman Family Adventures
- The Olympians
- Superman and Human Torch I’m With Stupid
- Dan Santat
- Tomie dePaola
- Jeff Kinney
- Jack Gantos
- Lawrence Lessig
- The Star Wars Episode IV “pointer scene” in Powerpoint
- Mummenschanz
- Eti Berland
- Alison Beecher
- Jackie & Lily
- LibLaura 5
- Rodney
- Karen & Nancy of Kidsmomo.com
- Olivia
- Kaprice
- Jason Viola
- Kelly Farrow
- Maria
- Flight Explorer for a short Zita tale that predates her own graphic novel
- The Akiko series by Mark Crilley
- Sardine in Outer Space series by Emmanuel Gilbert and Joann Sfar
This episode features a song by Moxy Früvous. Theme music by Harry and the Potters.
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KCR! 10 – Comics Make Readers, with The Nerdy Book Club
August 8, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Nerdy Book Club! Kid Cartoonists! Comics in the classroom! & lots more!
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We’ve all heard someone say “well at least they’re reading,” as a defense of kids’ love of comics. And it’s true–comics can be a great inroad to developing a love of reading.
But is that all comics offer? Or can we celebrate them for what they are?
We’re joined by librarian Scott Robins, the author of A Parent’s Guide to the Best Kids’ Comics, and educators Colby Sharp and Brian Wyzlic of the Nerdy book Club and nErD Camp Battle Creek, who help us get past the apologies and celebrate comics for what makes them so great.
We’re also joined by Eli Neiburger of the Ann Arbor District Library for some closing thoughts. And we have more book talks from Olivia and Natalia!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Books mentioned in this episode:
Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.
This episode features music by The Aquabats. Theme music by Harry and the Potters.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and KCRpodcast on Twitter!
“It’s not that we make reading fun. It’s that we allow reading to be the fun that it is.”
-Brian Wyzlic
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Kids Comics Awards
July 3, 2013 by Dave Roman
Filed under Blog, Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
On Sunday June 23rd the first ever KCR! Comics Awards ceremony was held at the Kids Read Comics Festival in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The nominees were selected by a committee of teachers, librarians, and retailers, then voted on by kids online and via paper ballots.
The awards themselves were presented as customized LEGO trophies provided by the Ann Arbor District Library, and included a mix of serious and silly categories from Best Graphic Novel to Excellence in Drawing Delicious-Looking Food.
Dave Roman and Jerzy Drozd were the hosts, and introduced all of the amazing presenters.
House band The O-Matics (fronted by Happyloo cartoonist Mark Mariano) provided live music and sound cues to help keep things moving!
Presenters included comics creators Ben Hatke (Zita the Spacegirl), Rafael Rosado (Giants Beware!), Raina Telgemeier (Smile), John Green (Teen Boat!), Dan Mishkin (Amethyst), Thomas Zahler (Love and Capes) and library superstars Scott Robins and Eli Neiburger.
As each winner was announced, the trophies were stolen by evil kidlit villain Vordak the Incomprehensible (played by the book’s illustrator, John Martin)!
Guest presenters also included Aang and Naruto, performed by Kevin Coppa (Puppetbenders). Sadly, because of their felt arms, these heroes couldn’t stop Vordak from continuing to take the awards from the podium!
The final award for “Best Cartoonist/Author” was presented by three talented young artists, Natalia, Olivia, and Ellie (who had also exhibited at the Kids Read Comics festival). The trio tried their best to stop Vordak but were no match for his nefarious tricks!
Luckily, the day was saved thanks to a surprise visit from Doctor Who (played by Kevin Coppa), who convinced the thieving Vordak to come along in his time traveling TARDIS and deliver the trophies to their rightful owners.
The entire ceremony was filmed in front of a live audience, and will hopefully be posted online soon!
Huge thanks to all the presenters and performers, AADL for hosting, Chris Duffy and Nickelodeon Magazine for inspiring, everyone who voted, and the teachers and librarians who encouraged kids to vote!
Let’s do this again, next year!
CONTINUE FOR FULL LIST OF NOMINEES & WINNERS…
KCR! 09 – Kickstarting Your Graphic Novel
June 14, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Kickstarter! Crowdfunding! Alexis Fajardo, and more!
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The internet has opened the doors wide, to both published and unpublished authors. And crowdfunding services like Kickstarter have made things even more exciting.
But is it really as simple as posting a video and reward tiers to Kickstart a project? What unforeseen challenges come with these new platforms?
We’re joined by Alexis Fajardo, author of the recently funded Kid Beowulf graphic novel series. Lex shares his experiences in running a Kickstarter campaign as well as the research he did leading up to the campaign’s launch.
Book Recommendations:
Links mentioned:
Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.
This episode features music by Let’s Audio. Theme music by Harry and the Potters.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Alexis on Twitter!
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Vote on the First Annual KCR! Awards!
May 9, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News
The Kids’ Comics Revolution podcast is holding its own awards, and we’re asking kids everywhere to vote for the winners!
KCR hosts Dave Roman and Jerzy Drozd have teamed up with Chris Duffy (Nickelodeon Magazine) and the Ann Arbor District Library to honor some of the best kids’ comics to come out in 2012. You can vote by picking up a ballot in the Novella Room (2nd floor, Toronto Reference Library) at the Toronto Comics Arts Festival and Kids Read Comics, or use the online ballot below. Winners will be announced June 23rd at a special ceremony at the conclusion of Kids Read Comics in Ann Arbor, Michigan!
And here’s a printable PDF ballot for distributing at your school or library! Just be sure to send them in before June 10, 2013!
(click the image to download the PDF)
KCR! 08 – Working for Peanuts
March 29, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Peanuts! Snoopy! Charlie Brown! Alexis Fajardo, and more!
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Happiness is…a new episode of the Kids’ Comics Revolution!
Many of us have daydreamed about working on a book featuring characters we grew up with. It’s a dream job, right?
Be careful what you wish for, because now you’re now the caretaker of a creator’s legacy that’s loved by millions. How do you create new works that respect the legacy without falling into an endless reiteration of old ideas?
We talk with Alexis Fajardo about the new Peanuts comic books published by Boom Studios. He explains how he and his team combine creative sweat and exhaustive research to live up to the responsibility of making new stories featuring Charlie Brown and all of Charles Schultz’s iconic characters.
Book Recommendations:
Comics and Artists mentioned:
Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.
Theme music by Harry and the Potters.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Alexis on Twitter!
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KCR! 07 – Superheroes with Gregg Schigiel
February 8, 2013 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Spider-Man! Avengers! Hulk Smash! Stuff Said, and more!
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For a long time superheroes were synonymous with kids’ comics. Many of us fell in love with the medium through the genre. But why are superheroes so compelling? Is it wish fulfillment? Do they operate as modern mythology? Or is it as simple as the joy of watching big muscley characters punch and blast each other?
We sort it out with the help of Gregg Shigiel of the Stuff Said podcast, as well as some other kids who lend their thoughts with more book talks on their favorite superheros old and new.
Book Recommendations:
Audio hosting and production provided by the Ann Arbor District Library.
Theme music by Harry and the Potters. This episode also featured the songs We Are Superheroes by Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine , (We Wear) Capes by Uncle Monsterface, and Super Hero Me by Let’s Audio.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Gregg on Twitter!
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KCR! 06 – School and Library Visits with Jarrett Krosoczka
November 30, 2012 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Fullmetal Alchemist, Giants Beware!, Lunch Lady Comics, and more!
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We’ve talked about the importance of book launch parties in the past, but what about taking your show on the road? But how do you break into doing school and library visits? And how do you condense a lifetime of skill-building into an hour of presentation and performance?
We’ve got Jarrett Krosoczka of Lunch Lady Comics, who shares his experience in leading author visits. Together we explore the narrative of an author’s presentation, how the author visit promotes one’s work, and also helps get more kids excited about comics.
We’ve also got more book talks from teen contributors Randall and Kaprice, who demonstrate that it’s already here. It’s happening. It’s the Kids’ Comics Revolution!
Links mentioned in this episode:
Book Recommendations (affiliate links):
Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.
Theme music for this episode is by Harry and the Potters. Special thanks to Recess Monkey for the Lunch Lady Comics theme song. And extra-special thanks to Alyson Beecher for arranging one of the book talks for this episode.
Follow Jerzy, Dave, and Jarrett on Twitter!
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KCR! 05 – Zita the Spacegirl (Book Club)
September 27, 2012 by Jerzy Drozd
Filed under Kids' Comics Revolution!, News, Podcasts
Zita the Spacegirl! Ben Hatke! Book Reviews!
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Welcome to a special BOOK CLUB edition of Kids Comics Revolution! This episode is dedicated entirely to the graphic novel Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke, published by First Second Books.
We hear from kids, teachers, cartoonists, librarians, and maybe even a few aliens to find out what they thought of Zita and her out of this world adventures. Also included with this episode is a lesson plan (PDF) with activities to participate in the world of Zita. Use it in the classroom or in the home!
We even have an exclusive reading of a chapter from Zita the Spacegirl by the book’s author and his family!
Our thanks to everyone who sent in clips and comments for this episode, including:
Check out Maria’s Space Camp photos here:
Music for this episode is by Field Mouse.
If you liked Zita The Space Girl be sure to check out:
Audio hosting provided by Ka-Blam Digital Printing and IndyPlanet Digital.
Follow Jerzy and Dave on Twitter!
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