Graphics
Skyping with Stephen McCranie
Oct 25th
Skyping! Skyping! I’m SO glad someone invented Skyping!
Today Ms. Holder’s library class skyped with author Stephen McCranie. Stephen is the author of the Mal and Chad graphic novel series.
Instead of having the author come to our school, we visited with him virtually.
A few weeks ago Mrs. Hembree found out on Twitter that Stephen was offering to skype with teachers and librarians. She signed up and our school is one of over 70 schools Stephen will “virtually” visit this fall.
During the call we watched him draw on his computer. First he taught us that comics are stories + pictures.
Then to develop our own story, he had us answer two questions:
- What does my character want?
- What is preventing my character from getting what he or she wants?
We decided that our character, Tara, wanted to own a bakery, but her family wasn’t very supportive of that idea. She ran away, met a baker and learned how to become the baker she always wanted to be.
After that we had a quick demonstration on how to draw a picture. We learned it’s easy if you use shapes like circles, squares or triangles. As Stephen drew on his computer, we tried to guess what famous characters he was drawing!
In the last portion of our visit, Stephen asked us to start a story. Then before our eyes, he drew a scene from our story.
While he was drawing, he also answered our questions.
We found out that he has loved comics since he was about 5 years old. He drew his first comic strip for a school newspaper in college. He likes comics because they are a great way to express yourself. They are an artform with a lot of potential.
He reads lots and lots of books and really enjoys the Bone series by Jeff Smith. Stephen said he believes that creativity is like a muscle in your head. When you practice you get better over time. If you want to get better at drawing , you need to draw and practice every single day. The tools for drawing don’t really matter. Pencils, crayons, pens – use whatever you want and draw, draw, draw.
His favorite book is the new one coming out on December 6th! 
We will be sure to buy a few copies for the library! After about 30 minutes, our time was up! It was a great first Author Skype experience! Thank you Stephen for visiting the Bulldog Readers! If you are looking for Stephen’s books, here they are. We have both available for check out in the library. You can also link to his Mal and Chad website here.
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What do you think our story was about?
Have you ever skyped with anyone? Do you like it?
What is your favorite graphic novel or comic series?
Our Babymouse Day!
Apr 14th
Yesterday was quite a day with our guest author Matt Holm! If you aren’t familiar with the Babymouse books, they are graphic novels, which are like comic books, but much longer. They are also funny – really, really funny! Okay, not all graphic novels are funny, but the Babymouse ones are!
Matt co-authors the books with his sister Jenni. She writes most of the dialog and he illustrates. He explained how every book starts with a storyboard, like they do for movies. The storyboard is their book map – it helps them flesh out the details of the plot, illustrations and dialog.
Jenni and Matt don’t live near one another, so they work separately and then email their drafts back and forth. It takes a lot of revisions before it gets to the printing stage! One book took 14 revisions before it was right! Most of their books take about a year to complete.
After the background presentation, some kids had the chance to suggest new situations for Babymouse and come others were involved in a Babymouse “draw-off”! Who could draw Babymouse fast like Matt? We have some awesome Bulldog Illustrators!
A special huge shout out to the Bulldog PTSA for providing funding so Matt could visit our school and to Parkplace Books for supplying books for kids to buy! Thank you!!!
What is your favorite Babymouse book?
What plot suggestions do you have for Babymouse?
I think she needs to be on America’s Next Top Mouse-Model!
Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Matt Holm Visits on Wednesday
Apr 10th
The Bulldog Readers will host the author Matthew Holm on Wednesday for two presentations for the 3rd-6th grade students. Matthew and his sister Jennifer co-author the wildly popular and PINK graphic novel series Babymouse.
Babymouse is a very funny mouse who seems to have loads of trouble as she makes her way through elementary school. The Babymouse series has won many awards including the Gryphon Award in 2006 and the ALA Notable Children’s Book Award.
However, the best award a children’s book can earn is a vote from KIDS! Babymouse is the winner of multiple Children’s Choice Awards and is nominated again for the 2011 award. Babymouse # 12: Burns Rubber is one of the choices for the 3rd-4th grade book of the year. Only children can vote for this award at the following website: www.BookWeekOnline.com until April 29, 2011.
Babymouse has her own Facebook Fan page I Heart Babymouse! at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53572243216 She even has her own song! The song, “This Is Babymouse!” was written and produced by Brooklyn-based drummer and composer Marty Beller, with lyrics by Matt Holm and vocals sung by Matt and Jenni.
We have been preparing for Matt’s visit by reading some of the Babymouse books together and in small groups. We have learned some important Babymouse facts.
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Babymouse seems to get herself in lots of trouble
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Felicia Furrypaws loves to torment Babymouse
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Babymouse loves to daydream
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Babymouse has a very cranky locker
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Her best friend is Wilson, a weasel
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Babymouse books have a different levels of humor
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Mrs. Hembree laughs at different parts than the kids
We are looking forward to Matt’s presentation on Wednesday and learning more about this really fun series. Matt’s books are for sale and he will be signing purchased books on Wednesday! See Mrs. Hembree for details.
Until Wednesday, here is a short video with information directly from Jennifer and Matt about their book series, Babymouse! Click on the link to view!
Which one of the Babymouse books is your favorite?
Have you ever met Matt or Jenni Holm?
Tell us about it!
Book Review:Ook & Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future by Dav Pilkey
Sep 6th
To all readers who have loved the Captain Underpants series…stand up and celebrate! Dav Pilkey has a new graphic novel. From his website Pilkey writes:
“This all-new Graphic Novel tells the sensational saga of two silly cave kids named Ook and Gluk (Note: “Ook” rhymes with “duke” and “Gluk” rhymes with “duck”). Ook and Gluk have a pretty awesome life growing up together in Caveland, Ohio in 500,001 BC. But their lives take a turn for the terrible when an evil corporation from the future invades and conquers their quiet, pre-historic village.”
If you love Dav Pilkey’s humor, read every Captain Underpants book three times, then you will definitely want to read Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future. Look for it on our Graphic Novel shelves in the library. Reviewed by Mrs. Hembree









































