We received this wonderful email just a day or two ago, and the author was kind enough to let us share it with you. A great example of how families enjoy Kids Read Comics together!
Greetings,
I already emailed the Library and Oakwood, but I wanted to let you guys know, too!
Over this past weekend I had the privilege of taking our 8-year-old son (who dreams of being a cartoonist someday) to the Kids Read Comics convention, held at the Henry Ford Centennial Library. The experience was wonderful for both of us: I got to meet many cartooning legends and my son got to see that people with sufficient talent can actually make a living making comics.
We don’t have many (if any?) comics conventions here in Michigan, and certainly none that are this kid friendly, or that I would have no reservations of taking our kids to. That family focus, combined with the excellent roster of artists brought in to present and mingle with the kids made this convention a real treat and an excellent father/son bonding experience that neither one of us will ever forget.
The highlight of the show was definitely being able to attend a workshop presented by Matt Feazell, my son’s current favorite cartoonist (it was the highlight for me too!). I wasn’t sure he’d be able to sit through a 90-minute workshop, but he did and afterwards said it was so much fun it only felt like 10 minutes!
Thank you so much for your support in helping to organize this event and making it free to families such as my own. I cannot express enough how great an experience this was and my thanks to everyone involved with putting it on, from the artists to the organizers to the local businesses and organizations which showed their support.
The second Kids Read Comics convention is over, but stay tuned, as we have photos, audio, and video to share from this year’s event!
In this fourth episode of the Kids Read Comics Podcast, KRC organizer Jerzy Drozd moderates a panel discussion with Ann Arbor District Library staff Anne Drozd, Sharon Iverson, and Erin Helmrich. Together they share their experiences developing and organizing comics events at their library, offering tips on starting up comics workshops and events at your own library.
We’re sorry to have to announce that Corey Barba will not be able to join us this weekend at Kids Read Comics as a result of a family emergency. We are canceling both of his “Funny Pictures” sessions, but will try to find a replacement for his Sunday portfolio review hour.
We look forward to seeing Corey at a future KRC event, and wish a speedy return to normal to him and his family.
We regret to announce that comics and animation writer Dwayne McDuffie has had to cancel his attendance at Kids Read Comics because of a family emergency. Both sessions of Dwayne’s “Life in the Writers’ Room” activity have been canceled.
We hope we’ll see Dwayne at a future Kids Read Comic event, and we wish all the best to him and his family.
Kids Read Comics is happy to announce that we’ll be joined this weekend by cartoonist Thom Zahler, best known these days as the creator of the superhero romantic comedy Love and Capes. Be sure to visit Thom’s table in our fifty-artist-strong Artists’ Alley!
Our program for Kids Read Comics 2010 is complete, and we’ve released it as a PDF download that you can put on your mobile device or print out yourself before you come to the event! Just click the image to the left to download the file (approx. 6MB).
The program contains the full guest list with Artist Alley table assignments. You can also find all of the programming for the weekend cross-referenced with maps indicating where you will find each event. Download now and plan ahead for two days of exciting comics workshops and activities!
We’ll have printed programs available at the information desk when you arrive.
There is nothing more fun on a Saturday than dressing up as your favorite super hero!
The rules are simple–Kids can dress up and any character they want, from Luke Skywalker to their favorite Transformer, or an entirely made up character! All participants will receive a Capstone Comic for participating, and after an “inspection” by Chewbacca or Darth Vader (we don’t know who to expect!), we will all parade through the library and the library grounds, showing off for photos and fun!
Costume/Cosplay Contest– 5:30pm Saturday, June 12 REGISTER NOW!
You can enjoy the entire day of comics’ events and still participate in this free contest! All costumes are welcome, whether hand made or purchased, and all characters are welcome, from Naruto to Dr. Evil. Ages 13 and up. Pre-registration available.
Prizes will be awarded for the following:
Most Original–Is your character unique, or did you do something special with your costume?
Most Authentic–Are you trying to make sure you adhere closely to your character’s look? Did you make your costume with your own hands?
Best Action–How well do you act like your character? Group skits are welcome!
Big thank you to Dearborn Heights, a library that supports Kids Read Comics!
Dearborn Heights has posted fliers and handouts around their library’s teen area, community information table, and kids area. Teen Services Librarian Jocelyn Baldwin has also added KRC to the teen page! Jocelyn sent out information about KRC to various library list-servs, and is promising to send teen volunteers to help with Kids Read Comics. Thank you Jocelyn and Dearborn Heights!
Attention Avatar fans! Saturday only, guests Dave Roman and Kevin Coppa will entertain the audience with puppets from the fan-favorite Puppetbenders, showing examples of the work and production involved in the making of the web shorts. They will treat fans to never-before-seen Nick Magazine Avatar comics, a sneak peek at the upcoming prequel manga for the Last Airbender live-action film, and MC a live comics read-through involving audience participation. Anyone who shows up in Avatar cosplay gets free swag, so dress to impress!
Not familiar with the Puppetbenders? Check out the video below:
Dave Roman and Raina Telgemeier will also be performing a live reading from some of their comics works on Sunday. More information, as well as more awesome workshops and presentations, can be found on our programming page.
have no reservations of taking our kids to. That family focus, combined with the excellent roster of artists brought in to present and mingle with the kids made this convention a real treat and an excellent father/son bonding experience that neither one of us will ever forget.
The second Kids Read Comics convention is over, but stay tuned, as we have photos, audio, and video to share from this year’s event!
