A Well-Deserved Honor for Essex County
Jeff Lemire's Essex County trilogy is one of my favorite series of the past few years. It's eloquent and subtle and wonderfully affecting. That's why I'm so happy to see that Collected Essex County has made it into the Top 5 of the CBC's Canada Reads. This is the first time a graphic novel has ever made it into Canada Reads, which is a program wherein Canadian celebrities promote a book to be selected for the distinction.
Comic Book Literacy for a Good Cause
Comic Book Literacy director Todd Kent is taking part in a valuable new initiative in Dallas. On December 4, the National Junior Tennis & Learning Program's Needed Influence of the Arts & City Square division will hold a workshop for kids that will help teach important lessons about slavery through comics. The focus of the day will begin with Keith Douglas, billed as the "professor of cartoon art," and Dallas historian Jesse Arnold, both of whom will use graphic novels to teach kids about history. The workshop will also feature the trailer for Kent's documentary.
-- John HoganSpider-Man's Broadway Debut Looms
Ever since it was announced over a year ago, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark has been generating a lot of buzz (and controversy). I must admit I myself have had mixed feelings about it. On the one hand, it's exciting to think of Spider-Man being brought to life brilliantly by one of the most acclaimed and inventive directors around (namely, Julie Taymor). On the other, it's a musical, which is not exactly what springs to mind when I think of Spidey. Then again, the music for the show is being created by Bono and The Edge of U2.
-- John HoganKirkus Reviews Unveils Its Best of 2010
Kirkus Reviews has published its excellent lists of the best books of 2010 for children and young adults, and both categories have a section for graphic novels. Since there was a bumper crop of good titles to chose from, it was no doubt tough for them to narrow it down. They made some excellent choices.
-- John HoganGGNFT Nominations Are Out
The great people at YALSA (the Young Adult Library Services Association)--many of whom are friends and/or contributors to GNR--have released their annual list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens nominations. The 2011 list is a fantastic cavalcade of what makes comics great and really showcases the diversity that is more and more becoming inherent in graphic-novel publishing. This is an impressive list of awesome books, and I encourage everyone to check it out.
-- John HoganLynda Barry on Talk of the Nation
Celebrated comics artist and creator Lynda Barry will be on NPR's Talk of the Nation today to discuss her works like Picture This and What It Is. With the explosion of graphic memoirs that have come out recently, particularly in the wake of her how-to books, it's sure to be an interesting conversation.
-- John HoganToon Takes on Bullying (and Offers a Contest)
Toon Books is helping kids address the issue of bullying by allowing kids to make their own comic strip based on their experiences. The larger program, which involves kids, teachers, and parents and helps create discussion, also gives entrants the chance to win a new iPod Touch and a set of Toon Books for the classroom. The contest is only open to kindergartners, first, and second graders in New York State, though. Full details can be found here.
-- John Hogan
