Funny Cartooning for Kids - Softcover

Mike Artell has written and illustrated more than 40 books and hosted his own television cartooning show. Each year, he visits more than 50 schools and speaks at a dozen conferences, where he shares his techniques for thinking, writing, and drawing more creatively. Mike also conducts innovation and communication workshops for businesses and organizations. Complete information about Mike's books, videos, and personal appearances can be found on his website: mikeartell.com. He lives in Louisiana.

Grade 3–6—This volume approaches the basics of traditional cartooning with what is funny—what creates humor. Pointing out the difference between "regular" illustrations and cartoons, the author divides the book into chapters that give readers instruction in six areas—exaggeration; simplification; animals and objects doing "people" things; people in different poses; unusual body types and gestures; and monsters, weird creatures, and aliens. Easy suggestions begin with exaggerations and simplifications: making things big or thick; drawing a figure with distance perspective to minimize a giant's head or enlarge his boots; drawing parts of animals; exaggerating well-known physical characteristics; and repeating figures and objects to add humor. Simple replacement experiments with facial features to show expressions are featured and encouraged, as are developing a story line with lists of possible funny situations and working with stick figures to understand body positioning and gestures. Black-and-white pen-and-ink drawings throughout are designed to encourage readers to add and create their own individual changes to cartoon figures. This volume is not a mere tracing book, but rather a step-by-step technique for thinking of cartooning as humor instead of mere illustration. Artell speaks to a wide audience and will engage both younger readers and their older siblings.—Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX
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