If your kids are already fans of Eisner Award-winning author and illustrator Raina Telgemeier, all I have to tell you is that her newest book, Share Your Smile, is out on April 30. Kids who have pored over every page of Smile, Sisters, Ghost, and Drama will always be thrilled to have her next title in their eager hands. (Her next graphic novel memoir, Guts, is due out later this year.) This new instructional title from the beloved author focuses on the making of a graphic novel, from brainstorming to outlining to storyboarding, and is destined to become another instant bestseller.
Share Your Smile is part journal, part how-to, and part behind the scenes of Raina’s graphic novels. Writing and drawing in this book isn’t just okay, it’s absolutely encouraged. Excerpts from the novels are accompanied by real life photos from Raina’s childhood and some of the storyboards and sketches she created while crafting her story.
The book begins with Smile, one of the most popular graphic novels of all time. Raina tells the reader about turning something that happened to her in real life into a story, and encourages them to then do the same, starting with a series of questions to get those creative juices flowing. Questions are thought-provoking and emotional, from happy and sad memories to inventing a fictional town.
There are also mini drawing lessons, plenty of blank pages and spaces to practice illustrating, and quite a few lined pages to begin writing. Chapters are divided by each book Raina has penned and the general subject they cover that could also kickstart inspiration: memories, travel, school, and places.
Share Your Smile isn’t just a must-buy for fans of Raina’s incredible work, but also for any kid who dreams of writing a graphic novel of their own one day. (Which is just about all kids.) Sharpen those pencils and get ready to write when the book releases on April 30.
GeekMom received a promotional copy for review purposes.
All Images: Scholastic/Graphix
