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Jess Smart Smiley
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Let's Make Comics!: An Activity Book to Create, Write, and Draw Your Own Cartoons Paperback – June 5, 2018

by Jess Smart Smiley (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 190 ratings
See all formats and editions
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A light-hearted interactive guide to comics and cartoon-making that uses an activity book format and creatively stimulating prompts to teach the fundamentals of cartooning in a fun and easy-to-follow fashion.

From a working cartoonist and comic book making instructor, this all-ages activity book uses humorous and informative one-page comics and exercise prompts to guide young readers (and readers who are young at heart) through easy-to-master lessons on the skills needed to make comics. The activities cover a range of essential comics-making tasks from creating expressions for characters to filling in blank panels to creating original characters and placing them in adventures of their own. Each exercise can stand on its own or work together with others in the book to stimulate creativity via the comics medium. In the end, readers who complete the activities inside the book itself will have created several comics of their own, and will have generated many ideas for more sequential art creations.

Praise for Let’s Make Comics!

“At once playful and complex, this book is a perfect introduction to cartooning, as well as a lovely (and lovingly crafted) tribute to the comics form and a timely reminder that artmaking can be fun.”—Roman Muradov, creator of Vanishing Act and On Doing Nothing

“Let’s Make Comics is a book I wish I had when I was 9, but 29 works too! It’s so fun and brilliant and packed with oodles of awesome activities. Great book for learning to make comics or for a seasoned cartoonist to find some new inspiration.”—Ben Clanton, creator of the Narwhal and Jelly books 

“It’s fantastic! This book will make you a better writer and a better artist and show you how to think like a comic star.”—Charise Harper, creator of the Fashion Kitty and Crafty Cat books 

“Warning! This book will make you make comics, and it will be fun!”—Greg Pizzoli, creator of The Watermelon Seed, Number One Sam, and The Book Hog

“If only we'd had this book! Our comics would be much better.”—Elizabeth Pich and Jonathan Kunz, creators of War and Peas
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    7 - 10 years
  2. Print length
    96 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    2 - 5
  5. Dimensions
    8.5 x 0.34 x 11 inches
  6. Publisher
    Watson-Guptill
  7. Publication date
    June 5, 2018
  8. ISBN-10
    0399580727
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0399580727
  10. See all details
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From the Publisher

This book is packed with activities to help you write, draw, letter, and ink your own comics!
Activities include drawing faces, filling in missing panels, and room for your own creations!
Let’s make comics!

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Let's Make Comics will help you master the secrets of a powerful ancient art—using words and pictures in boxes to tell stories. What better way to learn comics than through fun exercises from an enthusiastic bear and turtle? Now if you'll excuse me, I'm headed back in time to give this book to my childhood self.”—Grant Snider, creator of The Shape of Ideas and Incidental Comics

“Let's Make Comics! breaks the wall between reader and creator, and is just the sort of book I wish I had around when I was 10. Back then, I knew I wanted to make comics, but struggled with the language. Sometimes I even wondered if comics was something I could do. Jess generously shares his knowledge and talent with young readers here, and when it finds its way into the right pair of small hands, it will change their world.”—Aaron Renier, creator of The Unsinkable Walker Bean

“Packed full of learning potential and guaranteed hours of absorbed child activity; not only is this crammed full of comic-making ideas, it also gives an insight into how some picture book artists work. A thoroughly enjoyable and totally brilliant activity book: I envisage fights ensuing over my copy!”—Red Reading Hub

“This book claims to be aimed at 7-10 year olds but I think it would be fun for kids of all ages. There is so much to learn and do on every page. Forget loads of boring text, your lessons on how to make your own comic are mostly presented in comic format. There are other lessons which involve puzzles and learning to draw, but each is simple and fun. But just because you are having fun doesn’t mean that you are not learning skills and this book has a ton of them to learn. All three of my kids have found this book fun and useful. They are aged, 8, 11 and 13 years and all love drawing. The two eldest love making comics and already have many creations. This book has helped them to tone up on their skills, both in writing and drawing. The lessons are well presented and funny and each page has something interactive so the learning never stops. Neither does the fun.”—Raisie Bay
 
“Smiley uses the likeable cartoon duo of Peanut the Turtle and Bramble the Bear to humorously relate clear instructions which break down comics making and storytelling into its various components of drawing, basic plotting, inking, and lettering. His reassuring and gentle proceed at your own pace approach encourages practice and exploration using one’s imagination and observation of the real world and how to play with different vantage points for emphasis and visual interest. . . . [Let’s Make Comics' s] skill building structure and clarity will guide anyone with curiosity regardless of age through the process. Adults and children doing these activities together could make for a memorable bonding experience or possibly rekindle a long ago interest in art or comics.”—Gay League

“A fun, well-designed and kid-friendly workbook which, if the instructions are carefully followed, will crank up and start the engine of comics in the mind and heart of anyone who’s ever wanted to try their hand at making friends on paper.”—Chris Ware, author of Building Stories

"Smiley leads readers through a roller-coaster ride of 90 jam-packed activity pages that offers a foundation for any budding cartoonist."—llustoria Mag 

"Let’s Make Comics reminds me of a juvenile version of Scott McCloud’s Understanding Comics and in a logical world may someday be considered just as important as stepping stone for the creators of the future."—Forces of Geek

About the Author

JESS SMART SMILEY makes rad pictures with his bare hands. Selected clients include Disney Pixar, Cartoon Network, Provo City, and Top Shelf Publishing.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Watson-Guptill; Act edition (June 5, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0399580727
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0399580727
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 7 - 10 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 2 - 5
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.5 x 0.34 x 11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 190 ratings

About the author

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Jess Smart Smiley

Jess Smart Smiley

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Jess Smart Smiley is a joke. Seriously. He makes rad pictures with his bare hands and loves creating stories for all ages. Jess has helped thousands of children, teens, and adults around the world in making their first comics.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
190 global ratings
A fun and engaging book!
5 Stars
A fun and engaging book!
I just stumbled upon this book at our local bookstore and loved it at first glance! Not only is the artwork awesome, but the approach is wonderful for kids! (I totally wish I had this book when I was 8...maybe I need to buy one for myself?! :) My kiddo (she’s 8) dove right in and finished the first several pages the second we got home, woke up this morning and is back at it-no summer morning cartoons beforehand either! It pairs well with a comic style sketchbook and I’ll be adding both of those on my list to give for birthday gifts! I hope Jess continues making these books because we’re going to be sad when it’s all finished!
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Top reviews from the United States

Greg A. Marshall
5.0 out of 5 stars Kids Can Make (GREAT) Comics!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Jess Smiley has created a book that I wish I'd been able to get my grubby little paws on as a kid. Filled with incredible drawings, easy-to-understand tips, and a hilarious cast of characters doing the teaching, 'Let's Make Comics' is a gem! Primarily intended for youngsters, but a great tool for budding comic artists of any age! Highly recommended!
2 people found this helpful
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Britney
5.0 out of 5 stars Exceeds expectations!
Reviewed in the United States on June 14, 2022
Verified Purchase
My 9 yo son LOVES this Let's Make Comics book! It's funny and clever while being educational and has even kept my son's attention for hours at a time! It's perfect for the aspiring comic maker or those ready to unleash their creativity! My son's recently become obsessed with creating his own short comics and this has truly inspired so much more creativity and attention to details.
2 people found this helpful
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Vicki Spitalnick
4.0 out of 5 stars Poor packaging
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2018
Verified Purchase
Love the book but it was creased in shipping.
3 people found this helpful
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Taya Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday gift
Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2022
Verified Purchase
Gave this to my nephew for his 9th birthday he loves it, already wrote 2 comics. And I love them both
2 people found this helpful
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mel
5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE IT!!!
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is so lovely!! As an illustrator that regularly makes comics it’s so nice to find a book that reminds me of why I started making them in the first place. It’s so fun and cute and a great way to help anyone not only understand comics but also enjoy their process.
5 people found this helpful
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Sam Stubbs
5.0 out of 5 stars Such a fun book, very inspiring and well-done!
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
I bought this for my 10-year-old son and he has really enjoyed going through it. The 'characters' are charming and I think it's given him some confidence and helped him to find his niche. If nothing else, it's been great practice. It's also a great amount of book for a good price. Definitely recommend!
10 people found this helpful
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Kate
5.0 out of 5 stars 🍕🍕🍕
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
Great! Very intuitive prompts and ideas for both kids and new artists.
2 people found this helpful
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Zuzu 76
5.0 out of 5 stars helpful and fun!
Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
explains how to write comics, helpful and fun! my daughter loves it, would buy again
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

B
4.0 out of 5 stars Great book with fun sketching/comic making exercises
Reviewed in India on August 19, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this book for gifting and I may end up getting one for myself after all! Great job by the illustrator
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gemma o.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastically engaging for children and adults alike.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2019
Verified Purchase
I am so impressed with this book! I bought this for my son who has ASD. Usually he is only interested in playing video games or reading about video games. He hates writing and rarely draws. This book engaged him wholly. Within minutes of flipping through the pages, my 9 year old son had picked up a pencil and was drawing and writing and laughing. He LOVES this book and I’m so happy he does. I fully recommend this for all children.
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