Comics
Teacher Resources

Comics: Investigate the History and Technology of American Cartooning with 25 Projects

By Sam Carbaugh  
Comics have a rich and varied history, beginning on the walls of caves and evolving to the sophisticated medium found on websites today. For a kid, comics can be more than entertainment. Comics can be a lifeline to another world, one in which everyone has the potential to become a superhero and children are welcome to all the power adults have overlooked. Comics: Investigate the History and Technology of American Cartooning follows the trajectory of comics from their early incarnations to their current form, while leading young readers through activities that teach the techniques used by real cartoonists. Kids learn how to sketch comic faces and bodies, invent a superhero, draw manga characters, and create their own graphic novel or webcomic. Short biographies of famous cartoonists, including Charles Schulz, and Bill Watterson, provide inspiration and introduce specific comic styles. Comics introduces the technology available to budding young cartoonists, while they channel their creative powers and develop their storytelling skills. Part history, part instruction, pure fun, Comics entertains and informs young readers while challenging them to join the cartooning conversation.
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Reviews

Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children’s Media Recommended -- Superior in style, liveliness, integrity and format.
“If you want to learn about comics, from the history to the making of, this is the book for you. This fascinating and thorough study of how comics began to where they are today includes many "how-to" pages for the up and coming comic artist. I will purchase this book for my library.”

Children's Literature Review
“This book is jam-packed with information and advice for budding cartoonists. There is a timeline depicting the development of cartoons around the world and following that a detailed description of cartoon innovations in the United States.  A must-have book for any youngster with an interest in comics.”

Booklist
“This appealing offering introduces the art of cartooning to readers who will not only learn the history of comics—using pictures (and words) to tell stories—but also have a chance to do some drawing themselves . . . The comic (natch) full-color art is presented in a pleasing layout sure to excite young readers.”

Jon Chad, illustrator, faculty, Center for Cartoon Studies
“For the curious and inspiring cartoonist with an appetite for how comics are made, this book will be a feast!”

Beth Hetland, cartoonist and faculty, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
“Comics is a wild ride through the inner and outer workings of American comics, complete with do-it-yourself activities that cartoonists of any age will enjoy!”

Kevin Huizenga, cartoonist
“You'll be on your way to being a master of comics in no time.”

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Detailed Book Description

Comics have a rich and varied history, beginning on the walls of caves and evolving to the sophisticated medium found on websites today. For a kid, comics can be more than entertainment. Comics can be a lifeline to another world, one in which everyone has the potential to become a superhero and children are welcome to all the power adults have overlooked.

Comics: Investigate the History and Technology of American Cartooning follows the trajectory of comics from their early incarnations to their current form, while leading young readers through activities that teach the techniques used by real cartoonists. Kids learn how to sketch comic faces and bodies, invent a superhero, draw manga characters, and create their own graphic novel or webcomic. Short biographies of famous cartoonists, including Charles Schulz, and Bill Watterson, provide inspiration and introduce specific comic styles. Comics introduces the technology available to budding young cartoonists, while they channel their creative powers and develop their storytelling skills.

Part history, part instruction, pure fun, Comics entertains and informs young readers while challenging them to join the cartooning conversation.

Available In:
Hardcover, $22.95
9781619302501
Paperback, $17.95
9781619302549
Includes: Table of Contents | Timeline | Glossary | Resources | Index
Specs: 8 x 10 size | 4-color interior | 128 pages
Subject: Social Studies
Content Focus: U.S. History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Introduction
So, You Want to Make Comics?

Chapter 1
Ancient Comics

Chapter 2
Comics in the Newspapers

Chapter 3
The Birth of Superheroes

Chapter 4
Into the Silver Age of Comics

Chapter 5
Life After the Comics Code

Chapter 6
Comics and the Internet

Glossary
Resources
Index