Join us for a special Kids Read Comics Celebration Pre-Conference for Librarians, Educators, and Cartoonists! Come warm yourself up for the fun events at the Kids Read Comics Celebration by participating in some panels and hands-on workshops. Librarians get resources on how to build and maintain their collections; Educators learn how to incorporate comics into their curriculum; and Cartoonists learn new ways to work with these two groups to better advocate for their medium!

All sessions are free, but please register at http://mlatcomics.com/krc/cccc.


10:00 a.m. - Noon

Comics: A Pathway to Learning; in the
Hatcher Library Gallery Instruction Lab (100 Hatcher North)

As teachers find a variety of uses for comics, graphic novels and manga in the classroom, they need to understand the complex thinking and deep skills required to both read and create them. In this workshop, work with cartoonist Jerzy Drozd to explore the convergence of literary and artistic disciplines inherent in comics and see how comics can be a powerful way to build reading comprehension skills, such as prediction, inference, and fluency.

You'll receive a 61-page packet that will help you develop your own comics programming and classes, even if you don’t know how to draw!


1:30-2:30 p.m.

Panel – Using Comics in the Classroom;
in the Hatcher Library Gallery (100 Hatcher North)

Wondering how to get the most out of using comics to teach your students or to create compelling events at your library? Moderator Colby Sharp (Nerdy Book Club, nErDcamp MI) and an all-star cast of cartoonists and educators will share some engaging strategies and tips to get your students more immersed in any subject.

Colby will be joined by Matt Holm (Babymouse, Squish), Ruth McNally Barshaw (Ellie McDoodle), Sharon Iverson (the librarian behind much of the comics programming at AADL), and Sabine Gabaron (UM professor).


2:45-3:45 p.m.

Interactive Talk – Art Tells Stories;
at the University of Michigan Museum of Art, Paper Study Room (051 lower level of the Frankel Family Wing)

“Visual Literacy” is a hot term, but what does it mean? Do you view art or read it? Are the terms interchangeable? Join David Choberka, Mellon Academic Coordinator, for an interactive discussion on how visual artists communicate through their medium. Dr. Choberka will present a selection of pieces from the University of Michigan Museum of Art and show you how fine artists communicate their ideas using the same visual toolbox as cartoonists.


4:00-5:00 pm

Panel – How You Read and Write Visually: The Lean Into Art Cast;
in the Hatcher Library Gallery (100 Hatcher North)

Why are some book covers, posters, comics, or even apps more instantly appealing than others? What’s happening in your mind when you find yourself emotionally responding to an image? Is it simply the “magic” of art, or can we unbox the language of visual storytelling to become better educators and creators?

Join teaching artist Jerzy Drozd and cartoonist/game developer Rob Stenzinger for a live recording of the Lean Into Art Cast, where we’ll all explore some key design principles that will make you a more intentional reader, educator, and creator. Bring your own thoughts and wonderings and be a part of the discussion!

Questions? Email krc-um-cccc@umich.edu.

The Kids Read Comics Celebration will be held at the Ann Arbor District Library on June 21-22; it's a free event that unites kids, teens, parents, teachers, and librarians with professional artists and writers from the comics and animation fields.