Andrew Arnold (1)

Hooray! The knight and his trusty equine companion Edward are back in this picture book-lengthed story of a camping trip. A much-needed addition to the graphic novels for the younger set, the plot is clear and child-friendly, poking fun at the trope of the "brave knight." The illustrations burst with action and punctuate the plot points. This will be a huge hit for emergent readers. The wonderful end papers show how to draw the main characters. However -- and this is a teeny quibble against show more the bright fun of the rest of the book -- the leap from Step 3 to 4 requires many changes, perhaps too many for young authors. Highly recommended. Review copy provided by First Second via NetGalley.com. (105) show less

An frustrated knight gets impatient: "If the wizard won't teach us magic, then we'll just have to figure it out for ourselves." This has predictably disastrous/humorous results: Edward the horse gets turned into "Edwormy," but fortunately, Edward's aversion to turnips is key to saving the day.

Clever endpapers show step-by-step instructions for how to draw the Knight and Edward (front endpapers) and invented creatures from "the wizard's magical mix-'em-up cauldron!"

Lots of fun!

Accolades for Adventures in Cartooning include - ALSC Notable Children's Book; CCBC Choice (Univ. of WI); NYPL Book for Reading and Sharing; Booklist Top 10 Graphic Novel for Youth; Booklist Top Ten Art Book for Kids ; Library Media Connection Best of the Best; Illinois Bluestem Book Award ML; Indiana Young Hoosier Award Master List; Rhode Island Children's Book Award Master List; Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award Master List

Cartooning techniques are presented and encouraged as a magical show more elf helps a brave knight and his not so brave horse on a quest to rescue a princess from a dragon.

Humor abounds in this brillant "how to turn your doodles into comics" book. Some of the techniques included are panel types and terms, plot development and expression through line. Some elements such as plot development are not overtly stated. This book encourages drawing by the very style in which it is illustrated. It also includes an example that realistically presents what a child's attempt at cartooning might end up like. There is a natural use of language in this book and the storyline is quite engaging. The likable characters actively strive to give confidence to the reader. This book is geared toward readers aged 6-10 but it has a broad appeal. show less

Witty and engaging--truly the perfect "J" book for aspiring cartoonists. Through the charming tale of a candy-eating dragon and valiant knights, Sturm, Arnold and Frederick-Frost explain the art of creating stories by illustrating panels upon a page. Spoiler alert--although their story is told in "boxes", the princess of this story refuses to stay in hers.