If You’re in Canada…TCAF!

What have you been up to lately? I’ve been helping put together a comics festival! If you’re in the Toronto area, the Toronto Comic Arts Festival is happening this weekend, May 9th and 10th at the Toronto Reference Library. Below is a selection of the programming — check out the Books for Boys panel :-). Sunday is the dedicated Owlkids Day and will include tons of great kids programming (Readings! Live Drawings!) and other fun activities (Make Your Own Super Hero Masks! Make Your Own Mini Comic Strips!), plus giveaways and some very cool prizes donated by publishers (Ahem…Bone figurines).

Click here to see the entire programming list.

Expect photos, coverage and other goodies in the next week. Hope to see you there!

Saturday May 9th

10:30am-11:30am: The Secret History of Manga in North America!
It’s been more than 30 years since the first manga was translated into English. How did it all happen? From MixxZine to Raijin, from Astro Boy to OEL, join Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide) on a visual time machine full of dreamers, self-publishers, antiwar activists, and ninja. Lots of ninja.
TCAF Gallery

11:30pm-12:30pm: Manga Around The World! International Perspectives on Manga
Cartoonist and About.com Manga guide Deb Aoki hosts a panel of international manga creators from across the globe including Antoine Dodé (Armelle et Mon Oncle), Becky Cloonan (Demo), Eric Ko (UDON Entertainment), Bryan Lee O’Malley (Scott Pilgrim), Jason Thompson (Manga: The Complete Guide).
TCAF Gallery

1:30pm-2:30pm: Books For Boys: Graphic Novels for Reluctant Readers
Sure the girls are reading graphic novels now, but what about the boys? Creators Eric Wight (Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom), Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table), Chad Solomon (The Adventures of Rabbit and Bearpaws) and J. Torres (Batman: The Brave and the Bold) discuss writing for a boy audience and the tricks they use to turn reluctant readers into lifelong readers. Moderated by Good Comics For Kids/SLJ blogger, Scott Robins.
TCAF Gallery

2:00pm-3:30pm: Scott McCloud: FAQ
Being one of the most public faces for the entire comics industry can be tough! Luckily, Scott McCloud is up to the challenge! The author of Understanding Comics, Making Comics, and ZOT! will be talking and taking questions from the audience! Have you ever had a question for Scott McCloud? What IS comics anyway? Well here’s your chance to ask Scott! A spirited discussion is sure to be held. Moderator TBA.
TCAF Gallery

2:00pm-3:00pm: DIY Comics Seminar, with Willow Dawson
Need a kickstart to your comics project but not sure where to start? Willow Dawson (No Girls Allowed, 100 Mile House) explains the process of making a comic from idea to script to finished art. Then you put what you’ve learned to the test and create your own short comics, mini-comics and ‘zines.
Toronto Star Presentation Area, Lower Level

Sunday May 10th

11:15am-12:00pm: Storybook Theatre, with Hilary Leung, David Bruins and Matt Hammill
Join creators Hilary Leung & David Bruins as they read from their picture book The Legend of Ninja Cowboy Bear and play the Ninja Cowboy Bear game! Then, Matt Hammill, author-illustrator of the critically acclaimed picture book Sir Reginald’s Logbook, will take kids on an imaginative journey – involving monsters!
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

11:30am-12:30pm: Will Libraries Save Graphic Novels?
In this time of economic uncertainty, graphic novel publishers are looking to librarians for their support. Join panelists Jim Ottaviani (creator, T-Minus: The Race to the Moon), Lisa Heggum (librarian, Toronto Public Library), Douglas Davey (librarian, Halton Hills Public Library), Kent Allin (teacher, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board), Diana Malizewski (teacher, Toronto District School Board) and Scott Robins (blogger, Good Comics for Kids/SLJ) as they discuss the current and future role of graphic novels in school and public libraries. Moderated by The Beguiling’s Library Services Coordinator, Jason Azzopardi.
Learning Centre 2

12:00pm-1:00pm: Owlkids: Kids Draw!
Feel like drawing? Clayton Hanmer (CTON’s Super A-Maze-ing Year of Crazy Comics!), Scott Chantler (Three Thieves), Patricia Storms (The Pirate and the Penguin) and Wendy Ding (Chirp magazine) demonstrate the basics of cartooning… with your help! Watch them create awesome art right before your very eyes. Moderated by Naseem Hrab of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

12:30pm-1:30pm: Graphic Novels for Young Adults
Creators of young adult comics and graphic novels discuss what it’s like to write, illustrate and create for teen readers. Panelists include Nate Powell (Swallow Me Whole), Cecil Castellucci (The Plain Janes), Derek Kirk Kim (Eternal Sunshine), Jeff Lemire (The Essex County Trilogy) and Mariko Tamaki (Skim). Moderated by Stacy King, middle grade author and Marketing Manager of UDON Kids.
Learning Centre 2

1:00pm-1:30pm: Eric Wight Presents: Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom!
Meet Frankie Pickle, the kid with the most amazing imagination! Eric Wight will introduce fans to this brand new character for young readers with a reading from The Closet of Doom and a live drawing presentation.
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

1:30pm-2:00pm: Alexis Frederick-Frost Presents: Adventures in Cartooning!
Can you draw simple things like trees, fish and candy? If your answer is YES, then Alexis Frederick-Frost will show you the basics of how to turn your doodles into comics to share with your friends.
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

1:30pm-2:30pm: Reading: Cecil Castellucci
Cecil Castellucci is the author of the young adult graphic novels The P.L.A.I.N Janes and Janes In Love, and a plethora of great YA Novels! Join Cecil as she reads from her works in this special presentation for the Toronto Comic Arts Festival!
Toronto Star Presentation Area, Lower Level

2:30pm-3:30pm: Spotlight: Emmanuel Guibert’s SARDINE!
Join the author of the hilarious SARDINE series, Emmanuel Guibert in an interactive presentation as he speaks all about the goofy adventures of this red-headed space heroine—a feast for the imagination of young readers.
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

3:30pm-4:30pm: Kids Draw!
Do you wanna learn how to draw? Join a fantastic lineup of kids’ cartoonists as they teach kids the basics of cartooning! Cartoonists include Frank Cammuso (Knights of the Lunch Table), Tom Fowler (MAD Magazine), John Martz (Drawn.ca, Kayak magazine) and Kean Soo (Jellaby). Moderated by Naseem Hrab of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
Owlkids Day Gallery Space

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