Review by Booklist Review
A collaboration between McCloud, the man who defined the art form of comics with Understanding Comics, and Telgemeier, the woman who redefined the format's audience and thus the industry itself with Smile (2010), might lead you to expect something overtly startling. Instead, by hewing closely to what made them luminaries to begin with, they have created something warmly comfortable in its presentation, quietly fascinating in its information, deeply accessible in its humanity, and excitingly perfect in its execution. Appropriately, it's both a primer on what comics are and do and the story of a group of burgeoning cartoonists coming together. The impossibly friendly roundness and profoundly expressive faces of Telgemeier's characters bring home the story of four kids and their distinct, heartfelt journeys, each actualized through the magic of creating together. McCloud's perspective-expanding acumen is delivered with total clarity, made hilarious by some fourth-wall-breaking high jinks and made exciting by the creative possibilities it opens for characters and readers. Lots of back matter supports this creative end as well. Remarkably, neither through line distracts from the other, but--like the unity of words and art that makes comics run--the parts become a seamless whole that offers readers more than a single experience. A real showpiece of what happens when two masters find a way to combine their mastery.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Eager to make her own comics, middle schooler Makayla, a budding writer, joins forces with bespectacled artist Howard to establish the Cartoonists Club. They're joined by nonbinary versatile creator Art and shy, talented Lynda, who's working on a comic about her late father. As library media specialist Ms. Fatima helps them prepare to attend a local comics convention with their creations, each faces personal hurdles, such as Howard's father's assertion that comics are a waste of time and Lynda's hesitance to share her work. Ms. Fatima guides them in creating mini comics, emphasizing that there are no rules, advice that proves invaluable both for the club's comics-making and social navigating. This adroitly rendered graphic novel by Telgemeier (Smile) and McCloud (Understanding Comics) doubles as a manual for aspiring comics makers. Creative prompts, tips, instructions, and definitions feature throughout, delivered in a cheeky tone that seamlessly integrates heartfelt narrative with approachable how-to guides. An afterword provides a behind-the-scenes look at the creators' energizing and informative collaboration. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones; Ms. Fatima wears a hijab. Ages 8--12. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--A powerful team of comics creators have joined forces to inspire and educate young people to better understand the medium and provide a base of sequential storytelling tools for readers to write their own comics. This informative graphic novel is fashioned around a group of students who gather for an afterschool cartooning club led by their school librarian. Through the framework of the students learning about how comics are made, the creative team provides a great and approachable interpretation of McCloud's previous book, Understanding Comics--a classic tome in graphic novel education--and get the same points across for a younger audience without dumbing things down. Telgemeier and McCloud cleverly use panels and an art style that pops to explain the depth of comics art, and make many sophisticated ideas accessible to young readers. VERDICT A powerhouse team-up from two of comic's very best creators. Young readers who have an interest in making comics or who love to read them will benefit from understanding the process behind the format.--Esther Keller
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A small group of middle schoolers creates a club to learn about making and sharing comics in this collaboration by two noted cartoonists. Makayla and Howard are friends with complementary skill sets. Makayla, who reads Black, is full of story ideas, and Howard, who has brown skin and spiky black hair, loves to draw. Their shared interest in the graphic novel series Battle Princess Kishimoto and an impromptu lunchtime brainstorming session inspire their own comic collaboration, but they have so many questions that they don't know where to start. With school librarian Ms. Fatima as their guide, the Cartoonists Club is born. The after-school club soon gains two new members--white-presenting Art is ready for a new adventure (they just love making things!), and Lynda, who has brown skin and hair, is artistically talented but unsure of herself. The resulting introductory how-to guide, presented from the perspectives of the characters, celebrates the art of visual storytelling and is also instructive for readers. From drawing facial expressions and using body language to convey feelings to unraveling the mysteries of the comic lexicon, readers learn the process of creating and sharing comics right alongside the characters. Telgemeier and McCloud simultaneously explore making new friends, overcoming self-doubt, and embracing a growth mindset to practice and improve. Hollman's bold color palette enhances the hand-drawn and digitally created illustrations. Highly imaginative and cleverly conceived. (behind the scenes, glossary, comics jobs, book creation process, resources, comic and cartoon art museums)(Graphic fiction. 8-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
