Cartoons Meet Creativity: Graphic Novels Inspire Kids to Read

Kush with Raina, Scott and their book, The Cartoonists Club

The room is abuzz with literature fanatics of all ages. A palpable energy permeates from the intricate dichotomy of art and writing. Although beautiful alone, together they create a synchronous harmony. And the special product of the two? A graphic novel.  

In April, Blue Willow Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Houston, Texas, hosted a sold-out meet-and-greet featuring authors Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud following the release of their new graphic novel, The Cartoonists Club.

During the event, Telgemeier and McCloud sat down with Scholastic Kids Press to discuss how they became authors and collaborated on their new novel.

Kush talking with Raina and Scott during the event

Telgemeier is the creator of multiple bestsellers, including Smile, Guts, and Drama. Her words have reached a vast worldwide audience. Telgemeier shared why graphic novels are such an engaging format for young people. “Some kids are more visual than others. A kid can see a character’s facial expression and understand what [they’re] feeling without an explanation. A graphic novel can say that without words. It’s relating to what you see on the page and seeing a character develop,” she states.

In fact, the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report™ consistently affirms that kids are increasingly gravitating toward graphic novel and comic book formats. Since 2018, the number of kids who say they want to read graphic novels has risen from 22% to 37%, and our creators intend to follow this trend and continue meeting that demand.

Becoming a Cartoonist

A cartoonist is a unique job for imaginative minds. McCloud discusses how comics unexpectedly became the perfect blend of his common interests. “I always drew and had ideas for writing. A friend of mine in middle school got me into comics. He convinced me to give them a try. One day, I turned to him and said, ‘I’m going to be a comic book artist.’ I don’t know what exactly inspired me. Something just clicked,” he says.

Scott and Raina presenting during the event

Similar to McCloud, Telgemeier developed a love for drawing and writing before discovering her true passion for graphic novels. She explains how her childhood diary inspired her to become an author.

“I drew and wrote in my diary every day. I was already telling stories about my life, but had no readers. I didn’t realize what I was doing was writing. Once I figured that out, I realized [writing graphic novels] is exactly what I want to do!”

Stay True To Your Story

McCloud states he’s most similar to the character Art in The Cartoonists Club. Just like Art, McCloud feels there’s a great beauty in mistakes. He underscores the importance of writing with genuine interest. “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes [or] be yourself. Often, [authors] try to do something they think other people will like. It’s important to begin by doing something you enjoy [and] care about because, at the very least, you’ll always have one loyal reader--yourself.”

It’s this raw authenticity that makes The Cartoonists’ Club a relatable and powerful read. I highly recommend it to kids and adults of all ages!