Book Description
for The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Four middle schoolers learn the ins and outs of comic making along with the reader of this how-to guide set within a fictional framing story. Makayla (Black), Howard and Lynda (both brown-skinned), and nonbinary Art (white) are distinct personalities with their own unique approaches to art and storytelling. Under the guidance of knowledgeable, hijab-wearing librarian Ms. Fatima (Black), the Cartoonists Club meets in the library to learn about comics vocabulary, layouts, and production processes; drawing facial expressions and body language; and making zines. The students have different interests and motivations, which are explored as they interact and workshop their comics. The club applies to host a table at their local public library’s comics convention; their acceptance gives them a chance to learn more about attracting readers (and to accept that growing an audience doesn’t happen overnight). Easy-to-follow, straightforward instructions and pointers; appealing, enthusiastic characters; and colorful illustrations make this a useful, inspiring, and encouraging guide for anyone interested in exploring this popular storytelling art form.
CCBC Choices 2026. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin – Madison, 2026. Used with permission.

