Children’s Book Council Graphic Novel Committee Programming During San Diego Comic-Con
Educators, librarians, and media welcome with a ComicCon badge
Others must register by Monday, July 17 with San Diego Public Library
Friday, July 21, 11 am – 6 pm
San Diego Public Library, Central Library, 330 Park Blvd.
All programs are in the Shiley Special Events Suite, 9th floor
Program Lineup
“From Asterix to Zeus – Developing an Essential Kids Graphic Novel Collection” – 11:00a.m. – 12:00p.m.
While the category has enjoyed tremendous popularity in recent years, kids’ graphic novels are not a recent phenomenon. What classic titles or series should librarians have on their shelves to provide historical context and provide a complete survey of the medium? Join us for this illuminating discussion moderated by Dawn Rutherford (branch manager, Brier Library), with panelists Jenny McCluskey (collection development librarian for Ingram Library Services LLC), Alea Perez (chair of YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee), Carla Riemer (librarian, Claremont Middle School), and Mark Siegel (editorial director, First Second).
“Handling Challenges: Bans and Challenges to Comics” – 12:00p.m. – 1:00p.m.
Comics are uniquely vulnerable to challenges and bans, especially comics for teen audiences. Learn about challenged and banned comics and what you can do if they’re challenged in your school or library. Panelists are: Raina Telgemeier (Ghosts), Candice Mack (Teen Services manager, Los Angeles Public Library), Gina Gagliano (marketing and publicity manager, First Second), and David Saylor (VP / creative director / trade publishing / editorial director, Graphix). Moderated by Betsy Gomez (editorial director, Comic Book Legal Defense Fund).
“Read Like a Girl: Middle-Grade Fiction for Girls (and Boys)” – 1:00p.m. – 2:00p.m.
The authors behind some of your favorite middle grade graphic fiction discuss creating stories with strong, positive female characters, and the importance of overcoming the lingering perception that comics are only for boys. Our panel features Nidhi Chanani (Pashmina), Victoria Jamieson (Roller Girl, Great Pet Caper series), Jenni Holm (Babymouse series, Swing It, Sunny), Molly Ostertag (The Witch Boy), and Raina Telgemeier (Ghosts). Moderated by Brigid Alverson (writer and reviewer Good Comics for Kids).
“Nonfiction and Memoir in Graphic Novels” – 2:00p.m. – 3:00p.m.
Combining text and image can make difficult or abstract subject matter more appealing, winning over even the most reluctant reader. Learn how nonfiction graphic novels and graphic memoirs can be used to supplement lessons in STEM and history, and bring awareness to marginalized perspectives in the classroom. This panel includes: Mairghread Scott (Science Comics: Robots), Thi Bui (The Best We Could Do), Nathan Hale (One Trick Pony), Tillie Walden (Spinning), and Alison Wilgus (Science Comics: Flying Machines: How the Wright Brothers Soared). Moderated by Heidi MacDonald (Publishers Weekly, ComicsBeat.com).
“Prose to Panels: Graphic Novel Adaptations” – 3:00p.m. – 4:00p.m.
A discussion about graphic novel adaptations of novels. How can the graphic novel format enhance these texts? And how can educators use adaptations to make stories more accessible? If you read the graphic novel instead of the prose novel does it still “count”? How does the story change if a classic is adapted into graphic novel format? Is something lost? Is something gained? And what if graphic novels are then converted into prose novels – as with the forthcoming Lumberjanes novels? Moderated by Kelly Quinn Chiu (children’s librarian at the Santa Clara City Library), the panel includes: Mariko Tamaki (Lumberjanes), Brooke Allen (Lumberjanes), Landis Blair (The Trial: A Choose Your Own Adventure Comic), Charles Kochman (editorial director of Abrams ComicsArts), and R. Sikoryak (Masterpiece Comics).
“Meet the Makers” – 4:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.
Join graphic novel authors and artists Jeffrey Brown (Lucy and Andy Neanderthal), Nick Abadzis (Laika), Joe Flood (Science Comics: Dinosaurs) and James Parks and Ben Costa (Rickety Stitch and the Gelatinous Goo Book 1: The Road to Epoli) to learn the process behind making a comic. Moderated by Allison Tran (Senior Librarian for Children’s Services, Mission Viejo Library).
“Publishers Talkback Session” – 5:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
Come talk to publishers about how graphic novels are doing at your library, and what they should know based on the feedback from your community! With Robin Herrera (editor, Oni Press), Gina Gagliano (marketing and publicity manager, First Second), and Mallory Loehr (SVP & Publisher, Random House Books for Young Readers). Moderated by Alea Perez (chair of YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels for Teens Committee).
About the Children’s Book Council
Children’s Book Council (CBC) is the nonprofit trade association for children’s book publishers in North America. The CBC offers children’s publishers, from independent presses to large houses, the opportunity to work together on issues of importance to the industry at large, including educational programming, diversity in employment and books, literacy advocacy, and partnerships with other national organizations. CBC staff also oversee the programs of Every Child a Reader, a 501(c)(3) literacy charity whose popular national campaigns include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country; the Children’s and Teen Choice Book Awards, the only book awards chosen by children and teens; and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.
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