Two years ago, my son’s Social Studies class discussed the Holocaust; he read Elie Wiesel’s memoir, Night, as part of the lesson. At the time, I was working on my Master’s degree in Library Science and taking a Materials for Young Adults class, and had received several good suggestions from Will to enhance my reading list. It was time to return the favor.

“Hey… did you ever hear of Maus?”

Will wrinkled his nose. “Mouse? What’s that?”

I shook my head and explained that Maus was a graphic novel by artist and author Art Spiegelman, where he tells the story of his father and mother’s experiences during the Holocaust and beyond. I’d read it in college and was about to re-read it for class – was he interested? He sure was.

Will’s not a comic book kid. Superheroes hold no allure for him, but history does. He sat down with Maus, and two hours later, emerged from his room, amazed. The stark, black and white art and allegorical storytelling, using cats as Nazis and mice as Jewish prisoners and soldiers communicated the terrifying experiences of those who suffered under the Third Reich. The straightforward, simple prose
was a gut-punch set in a dark fable.

This is what gets and holds a kid’s attention. I say that with the highest respect. My son’s generation is a multi-tasking, video game playing, Internet surfing generation. Short attention spans are the order of the day, and yet many of these kids are using textbooks that are still toeing the old school line. Sure, the pictures may be in color now, and there may be a hyperlink or two tossed into a “For Further Reading” box here and there, but the game has changed. We’ve got a highly visual audience, and many educators
are still stuck using materials that are developed using an old school model.

Maus’ Pulitzer Prize is proof positive that graphic novels should be taken seriously, and educators are getting on board with this line of thinking. There are more and more curricula popping up that bring Maus into the classroom – you can find some on this very site. Bringing novels like Maus, or Jablonski and Purvis’ Resistance into the classroom enhances a lesson and guarantees that kids and young adults will learn and remember, because it goes back to the earliest form of learning – storytelling.

Convention season is off to a strong start, and C2E2 was my second convention of the year. I was working the Reading with Pictures booth (#1330) over by Marvel and the American Libraries Association (ALA) along with fellow comic creator Russell Lissau (Strawberry Shortcake), and Gabriel Bautista (Elephant Men). As well as the return of our intern, Aliza, who was helping us throughout the weekend.

FRIDAY: 
Friday morning the group got up, packed the car, and left for the show to set up the booth space. Reading with Pictures (RWP) had a fantastic location, which got a lot of traffic.

Russell Lissau, Trevor Mueller, and Gabriel Bautista run the Reading with Pictures booth at C2E2

In addition to the anthologies, I was also selling my all ages books Junkyard Chase and Albert the Alien. Overall,  the fans were very receptive to trying a new book.

After the show, the group joined up with several other creators and went to China Town for dinner. A little stir-fry place with poor service but delicious food was the topic of the day. And despite it taking forever to get our meal, the server did bring us a few free appetizers and meals to make up for it.

Dinner in China Town

After dinner, we headed back to my place for much needed sleep. The major events of the weekend were yet to come!

After dinner, the group stands outside the restaurant. Photo by Russell Lissau

SATURDAY:
Waking up early, the group headed to the convention and set up the booth. I had a very important meeting set up with an important creator / editor, and it was very fruitful (announcements forthcoming, once I can talk about them). Gabe and I talked some business post meeting, and plans were made to really blow out some future projects we have in the pipeline.

The show was almost sold out on Saturday, so the convention center was wall-to-wall people. In addition to the plethora of attendees, some of our comic creator friends were in attendance – including Rival Angels creator Alan Evans.

Alan and Tracie Evans, Trevor Mueller and Beth Noonkester stand in front of the RWP booth

After a brief walk around artist alley, it was back to selling at the booth.

After the show we grabbed Bryan Glass (Mice Templar) and headed to my favorite sushi place in the city, Niu. The group enjoyed a good dinner and relaxing beverages – followed by more much needed sleep.

SUNDAY: 
The final day of the show was kids day, and man oh man where there a lot of families at the show.

During the afternoon, Josh and I had a live reading of new RWP material. Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, we had to read from the Albert the Alien books instead. This went over really well with the audience, who laughed at all the right spots and enjoyed all of the jokes through. Between the stories, Josh talked about some of the other stories appearing in the Graphic Textbook, and how those stories can be applied to an academic environment. The reading was a huge success!

Russell Lissau, intern Aliza, Trevor Mueller and Gabriel Bautista laugh it up at the booth

Meanwhile, back at the booth, the gang was having a fun time selling books and hanging out. And even posing for pictures with fans. Gabe was in full form, and providing sketches for kids – and selling commission sketch cards.

One of our many fans poses behind the booth with the creative duo

A fan who wanted a sketch of a character we didn’t know. So they decided to sketch it for us

Intern Aliza, Trevor Mueller and Gabriel Bautista try to sell copies of the book to Trevor’s fiance. She already owns copies of everything, however….

At the end of the show it was time to clean up, and get home. The weekend had been a lot of hard work, but a ton of fun and rewarding in every sense of the word. I can’t wait until the next C2E2!

About 12 days ago I launched the KCC BUCKS 4 BOOKS fundraiser on IndieGoGo.com.  The purpose is to help raise money so that at our event on May 11^th, we can give some money to needy children so they can buy books there.

How much is explained on the fundraiser web site.  How many is dependent on how much we raise.

Why am I, and my KCC volunteers, doing this?  Let me speak for myself on this.

Off and on I am asked why I am such a committed advocate for children and teens.  Why do I care if they can read, write, imagine, or create diddly?  Simple answer is I do.  The complex answer is also the bigger picture … It’s our job as adults.

We’re supposed to give back to them what was given to us.  And if it wasn’t, then we’re supposed to do better.  Children are not only our future – they are their own future.  And if we short change them the tools they need to achieve, then we are small minded and self centered.  A child, who can read, can grow, question, evaluate, and better plan their lives. And if they can envision their goals, and imagine themselves succeeding, then they are more motivated to learn the lesson we’re trying to teach them now.

Ignorance is a disease.  Reading and expanding the mind can be the cure.

Read more about Kids Comic Con here! And of course support their campaign by visiting their IndieGoGo page here.

THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK will unite the finest creative talents in the comics industry with the nation’s leading experts in visual literacy to create a game-changing educational tool that’s tied to a major impact study overseen by the Dr. David Rapp of the Dept. of Psychology and School of Education & Social Policy at Northwestern University. Aimed at grades 3-6, THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK will feature a dozen short stories (both fiction and non-fiction) that address topics in a variety of disciplines (Social Studies, Math, Language Arts, Science). The accompanying Teacher’s Guide will include standards-based lesson plans for each story and research-based justifications for using comics in the classroom.

After raising over $75,000 via the crowd-funding platform Kickstarter to pay for production of THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK, Reading With Pictures is now partnering with Lorenz Educational Press to secure additional venture capital investment. If successful, the two companies plan to work together to produce an entire line of content-area and grade-level specific comics anthologies modeled after THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK.

“Lorenz Educational Press is one of the most respected names in the field of educational supplements, with over 120 years of experience,” explains Josh Elder, President and Founder of Reading With Pictures. “We can’t imagine a better publishing partner to help ensure that THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK reaches every classroom, library and home that needs it.”

“We’re very pleased to partner with Reading with Pictures and their initial project, THE GRAPHIC TEXTBOOK, to help fill an important need in education”, states Geoff Lorenz, Chairman of Lorenz Educational Press. “So many elementary students struggle with developing their reading skills, and Reading with Pictures’ mission to get ‘comics into schools and schools into comics’ is one we fully support. Comics not only help reluctant readers with comprehension skills, but research tells us students using them also tend to read more. We believe the new publications from Reading with Pictures will be game-changers in the educational products market as they provide an effective solution for teachers helping students become better readers.”

About Reading With Pictures 

Reading With Pictures is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that advocates for the use of comics in the classroom to promote literacy and improve educational outcomes for all students. We work with academics to cultivate groundbreaking research into the proper role of comics in education. We collaborate with cartoonists to produce exceptional graphic novel content for scholastic use. Most importantly, we partner with educators to develop a system of best practices for integrating comics into their curriculum. At Reading With Pictures, we get comics into schools and get schools into comics. To learn more, please visit www.readingwithpictures.org.

 About Lorenz Educational Press 

Lorenz Educational Press is the educational arm of The Lorenz Corporation, a Dayton, Ohio-based publishing company founded in 1890. We consist of four distinct divisions; Lorenz Educational Press, Milliken Publishing, The Teaching and Learning Company, and Show What You Know Publishing, each specializing in supplementary classroom and test-prep materials for preschool through high school grade levels. For more information, visitwww.LorenzEducationalPress.com.

• A searchable database for teaching resources, research and rationale, and recommendations – free to use!
• A login portal to easily manage your interests with our organization and upload your own curriculum and research to put into our database
• A rolling list of events that we’re either putting on or where you can find us at big conventions like C2E2
• A great blog that will feature the leaders in the comic book literacy revolution!

We have a lot in store with this new website and we’re excited you’ve taken the time to check it out. Explore and let us know what you think!

RESEARCH AND RATIONALE
Our new website also means you can find great resources to support the usage of comics in the classroom.  You’ll be able to support what you already know – that comics need to be in the classroom!

RECOMMENDED READING AND REVIEWS
The volunteers at Reading With Pictures have combed through tons of pages appropriate for all ages to give you the best resources to bring comics into the classroom.

CARTOONIST RESOURCES
We are featuring the syllabus and story of how Elaine M. Deering, Instructor of English at Lynn University, developed her course on Comic Book Superheroes.

By Ellen Ma

REVIEW
Garth Ennis brings you this series that consists of eight standalone short stories taken place during World War II, with one set in the Spanish Civil War. Although Ennis is the main writer, each story is taken on by a different artist.

The unique quality about this series is the different perspectives of each short story, which may be one of the reasons as to why there are so many artists. The reader is taken from a story about German tankers to a British officer assigned to an Italian campaign, to American soldiers, and so forth. Overall, this series really shows, both visually and verbally, the horrors of war, the experiences of all these different men, as well as camaraderie and humanity.

AGE RECOMMENDATION
11th grade and up.

BE AWARE
Use of inappropriate language. However, given the explanation that this series is set during war time, the language would seem fitting.

IN THE CLASSROOM
The one thing I praise most about Ennis is his ability to write dialect. He really brings his characters to life through this writing technique and although students may struggle first with becoming familiar to a Scottish or British speech pattern, the enjoyable part would be to read aloud.
The content of each story is quite heavy, as all of it is presented through the experiences of men during war. However, there are a plethora of topics to choose from –– humanity, equality, camaraderie, morality –– that can turn into fruitful discussions within the classroom.

War stories definitely take on a different flavor when presented in both image and text. I would be interested to have students read a text-based war story then compare to one of these short stories. The idea would be to have students analyze what they visualize as they read the text-based, then examine the visuals already given to them in the comic. What stood out the most to the student as they read? How can text alone become just as powerful or more powerful when compared to the pairing of text and image?

MY RECOMMENDATION
I would recommend WAR STORIES to teachers who are interested in having students examine the written word and visuals. My first thought was comparing HEART OF DARKNESS to any one of the short stories within the graphic novel and have students determine how both, text-based and image/text pairing, are able to convey a heavy topic like war.

OTHER INFORMATION
Author & Illustrators: Garth Ennis, Chris Weston, John Higgins, Dave Gibbons, David Lloyd, Cam Kennedy, Carlos Ezquerra, Gary Erskine
Publisher: Vertigo
Format: Paperback
Pages Vol. 1: 240
Pages Vol. 2: 240
Color: Full color
ISBN-10 Vol. 1: 1-84023-912-3
ISBN-10 Vol. 2: 1-4012-1039-2

STORY REVIEW
The premise of this oft-touted series places “exiled” fables in contemporary New York City to live among the “mundanes” (i.e., real people). In FABLES: LEGENDS IN EXILE, characters from a spectrum of universes, both film and literary, mix uneasily together. In this upside-down world, Snow White reigns, Prince Charming comically bumbles around as an obnoxious lady-killer, and the Big Bad Wolf does good as Sheriff.

In Volume 1, Sheriff Bigby (wolf of “Three Little Pigs” fame) discovers the trashed and bloodied apartment of Rose Red, Snow White’s sister. A classic whodunit search for Rose’s killer ensues, only to end with the revelation she staged the crime scene herself.

Along the way, writer Bill Willingham treats the reader to cameos by a variety of childhood friends, from Beauty and the Beast to characters from the Kingdom of Narnia. Unfortunately, the delight one feels upon seeing these bedtime story staples re-imagined does not compensate for FABLES’s flabby story line.

FABLES attempts, but fails to succeed, in maximizing its potential for rich and subtle satire. The concept of escaped fables living in Manhattan, trying to ruse mankind into thinking they are “mundanes” (humans) begs for social and cultural commentary; however, FABLES leans on a familiar “detective mystery” trope that refuses to capitalize on the metaphoric possibilities of its characters.

ART REVIEW
Penciller Lan Medina has mastered an aesthetically pleasing, realistic style featuring clean lines and an easy to follow lay-out. Generally, the panel arrangement and sequencing work to facilitate Willingham’s story-telling. The image-text relationship functions well and boasts an elegant, if sometimes redundant, rapport.

IN THE CLASSROOM

FABLES may have potential as a fun tool for exploring the concepts of archetypes and common mythologies, or even as an example of how commonly told tales may be re-imagined. Most students should be familiar with the series’ main characters; thus, looking at Willingham’s interpretation and expansion of their backgrounds and personalities could provide material for teaching character development. Willingham takes some of the most one-dimensional personas of Western literature and film and imbues them with tragically human characteristics.

OTHER INFORMATION
Author: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Lan Medina
Ink: Steve Leiloha
Letters: Todd Klein
Color: Sherilyn van Valkenburgh
Publisher: Vertigo (December 1, 2002)
Genre: Fiction
Format: Paperback
Pages: 128
ISBN-13: 978-1563899423

MY RECOMMENDATION
For purposes of studying visual story telling and character development in high school or university classrooms, I can recommend FABLES. It offers some mature themes, which may be inappropriate for elementary and middle school readers.

Professional History
A graduate of Western Michigan University with a BA in Advertising and Promotions, Trevor has worked in advertising and marketing for his entire career. However, his passion as always been with comics and storytelling.

Trevor has been published in numerous anthologies, including READING WITH PICTURES vol 1-2, as well as HOPE: THE HERO INITIATIVE from Ronin Studios. He has also self-published several books including ALBERT THE ALIEN and JUNKYARD CHASE. Additionally, Trevor has extensive work as the writer / artist / creator of several award-nominated webcomic series, which can be found on his website,www.trevoramueller.com, along with his near-daily updates of movie, video game, and comic reviews.

In 2009 Trevor joined Reading With Pictures as their Marketing Director, combining his love of comics, education, and advertising. Trevor gives lectures and presentations throughout the mid-west at conventions and schools on several topics, including the power of combining creativity and literacy.

Guest Lectures

“It’s never been easier to make comics than it is today!” is Trevor’s motto.

Trevor has lead lectures and workshops at schools, libraries, and conventions across the country. He has been a returning guest lecturer at such conventions as Anime Milwaukee, Anime Central, C2E2, and New York Comic Con. He has also given all-ages workshops on how to make comics at libraries in Chicago, New York, and Ann Arbor.

Trevor created JUNKYARD CHASE as a tool to teach young creators how to make their own comics, and uses it as a model for the entire process – from conception to publishing. This hands-on tool is utilized as a practical guide for crafting stories and making comics.

Service Fees

*NOTE: Workshops and seminars can be mixed and matched as needed. That is, one hour can be spent working directly with students while the next can be devoted to advising educators on best practices.

**NOTE: All quoted prices are for service fees only. The client is responsible for paying travel costs to any event located outside the greater Chicago area.

Contact Info

For questions about service or to hire Trevor, please contact him directly at trevoramueller@gmail.com

STORY SYNOPSIS
Ed is a dreamer. He loves his comics and make-believe and isn’t really interested in the grown up world. That is, until a space ship full of intergalactic refugee slaves comes crashing down into his tree house. The three aliens quickly set up shop in an effort to teleport their people to Earth, one by one, to save them from their bonds of slavery at the hands of the intergalactic food court. Others have a different idea. Ed’s bullying rich girl, Natalie, and Maximus Obliterus, the greatest of all the mall security from space are coming in to stop the underground space railroad.

Ed is a kid that gets laughed at because he loves to read comics. When his class is discussing what they want to be when they grow up, Ed can’t think of a thing. You cannot make a job out of reading comics, can you?

What Ed doesn’t realize is that you can make a life doing the things you enjoy. It just takes some practice and creativity. Even the seemingly silliest things can turn into a successful lifelong ambition. Before Ed can learn all of that, he must help his three friends save themselves and the rest of their planet from slavery.

The naughty Natalie, on the other hand, doesn’t learn much. She is interested in pretty, shinny things and acquiring as much as she can.

STORY REVIEW
Scott Christian Sava has a winner with ED’s TERRESTRIALS. This is a great book for that day dreamer child – the one who wishes to be more than his or her current life allows. I could write about all the great aspects of the books, but there is a better barometer than my opinion. My daughter and I read this book a few days ago. Ever since, she has asked me to re-read this to her every night, with creative voices to match. She loves the story. A creator can ask for nothing more than to be loved by the children he writes for, and Sava has done just that.

UPDATE: When I first posted this, I failed to mention that there was a usage error on page 78. “Your” was used when the word should have been “You’re”.

ART REVIEW
Diego Jourdan has created a beautiful backdrop to support the writing of this book. His cartoon-style fits the subject perfectly, creating a wonderful product. The characters are alluring and fun to look at. I find that me and my daughter enjoy just looking at the pictures after we have read the text. It is kid friendly and it works.

AGE RECOMMENDATION
My Rating: All Ages
Publisher’s Rating: All Ages
All Ages Reads: Not Rated
Comics in the Classroom: Not Rated

Some younger children, say first grade, will be able to read this by themselves with a little help on some of the words. Others will need it read to them, but it’s time well spent either way you go. This book is perfect for those who enjoy using voices in their reading. This book isn’t limited to young children.

IN THE CLASSROOM
Besides being used as a way to encourage and entice students to read, there is also a lesson about careers and finding your own path. The books also touches on slavery that occurs on another planet. A great idea with this book, would be to put up a page on the overhead and ask students to make up their own story. The characters, mostly aliens, would make for good creative development for many students. I would do this before I had them read the book.

It would also be a good book for the budding artist. Kids would enjoy reproducing the characters and they would be able to do so without a lot of trouble. That should not be construed as a comment on the quality of the art. The art is great. It is just that the kids would have an easier time reproducing this cartoony style on some level.

AUTHOR: Scott Christian Silva
ILLUSTRATOR: Diego Jourdan
PUBLISHER: Blue Dream Studios
GENRE: Science Fiction

FORMAT: Hardback
PAGES: 84 pages
COLOR: Full Color
ISBN-10: 0978916816
ISBN-13: 978-0978916817

TOPICS ADDRESSED
Aliens
Life Goals
Slavery
Consumerism

MAIN CHARACTERS
Ed: Good kid who gets teased because he loves comics and make believe
Natalie: Spoiled rich girl who takes what she wants
Marcello: The leader of the alien refugees
Al: The octopus-looking alien refugee
Gus: The big, pink alien refugee
Maximus Obliterus: Intergalactic mall security officer sent to retrieve the refugees

MY RECOMMENDATION:
Highly Recommended
This is a high quality book that should be in every home, classroom and school library. The story and art function well together to create a beautiful work of children’s literature.