Create Your Own Comic Book
I thought this would make a great holiday or birthday gift for boys who show an interest in graphic novels and/or comic books. It’s an especially good and sneaky way to draw in reluctant readers and get them reading, writing, and drawing.
Your Life in Comics: 100 Things for Guys to Write and Draw by Bill Zimmerman, $9.99
But you don’t necessarily have to be an artist to use this book; most of the pages have writing prompts with the graphics already on the page. The author just needs to decide what to write in the “bubbles.” Author Bill Zimmerman has structured the book such that each page draws out important topics with writing prompts allowing boys to express their feelings about family, friends, school, health, and the future.
There are also open pages (see the second picture) that allow for complete creative control both for words and pictures. Each page can be written in a serious way if the child has issues he wants to express, or in a humorous way if he chooses to create a more traditional comic book.
I really like this “blank page” approach for self-expression. A completed book would make a great keepsake to send to a grandparent for a present, for the memory box, or just to enjoy as a book in your library. Here are four sample pages … he has great writing prompts, doesn’t he?!!
“An Interesting Conversation”
“When Aliens Land On Earth”
“A Family Sits Down to Dinner”
“My Happiest Memory Is”
Bill also has a website, www.MakeBeliefsComixs.com, that allows kids to create virtual comics. It was selected as a Best Website for Kids by the American Library Association. Your Life In Comicswould appeal to boys ages 7-12.
To view more pages of this Do-It-Yourself Comic Book at Amazon, please click on the top image of the book.
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Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- ⭐ Starred review from School Library Journal!
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- dPICTUS 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Nautilus Silver Winner, Nonfiction Children’s Picture Book
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
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Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I love this sneaky approach of getting kids involved with reading and writing. Unfortunately this book is geared for a younge audience, but it’s possible my son may still enjoy it. I wonder if I can suck him into this trap? Hmmm…a point to ponder. Thanks for the sharing your review.
Check out the book at Amazon. You can see more pages there. It might be open ended enough to appeal to slightly older boys too. Or, maybe there is other stuff on his website??
Love this idea, thanks Mia.
Thanks for coming by my blog! p.s. This is my brother-in-law; he has gorgeous photos at photosbykag.com. Bring the beach and natural scenes to your home! He’s been featured in many publications as well!