Drawn to the Form Leslie Holwerda Toronto Comic Arts Festival

attended the first Toronto Comic author visits to school libraries; Douglas Mini Comic Arts Festival Ideas Arts Festival (TCAF) in 2012 and was Davey (who, incidentally, shared the Iinvited to participate in the third elevator with me on arrival) from Network with creators using Twitter & annual Librarian and Educator day as a Halton Hills Public Library discussing Facebook member of a panel discussing inclusion the future of collection development Colouring sheets and exclusion in comics, during TCAF using digital graphic novels; and award Access ideas from publishers or 2014 in May. I was thrilled when my winning creator, Ken Stacey, sharing the creator websites principal gave me permission to attend. variety of graphic novels available for Solicit items for giveaways instruction, information and education Order free from publishers & vendors I awoke much earlier than usual so I could (edutainment). The choice was difficult, Display a wide variety of titles for travel into Toronto and find my way by but edutainment won out. different interests and reading levels subway to the Toronto Reference Library. Include a gaming element or The lobby was almost empty except for Following coffee, participants selected challenge a security guard who was directing the one of three options: A panel discussion Story time presenters to the Bluma Appel Salon. with public librarians about the ups and Puppet show Andrew Woodrow-Butcher of The downs of maintaining a graphic novel Readers theatre Beguiling bookstore welcomed me and collection; a workshop with author Steven Maker Space with comic bottlecap jewellery, comic wallets directed me to the registration table where McCabe on the use of wordless comics Hold on a Saturday in the gym all participants received free comics, book to motivate creative writing skills in marks, postcards, conference information, students; or the Diversity in Comics Panel and directions to the coffee. discussion. I was part of the Diversity Panel with Mira Gambhir from OISE, centred activities, lessons, and best The keynote address was presented journalist and author, Andrew Wheeler practices. The workshop on how to host by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki, creators (Comics Alliance), and J. Torres (author an in-school comic arts festival held us of the Governor General’s Award of the diverse Jinx comic series). A passion particularly captivated (see sidebar for nominated title, Skim. They spoke for creating, selecting and circulating more details). A panel discussing the use enthusiastically about the collaborative comics and graphic novel collections of comics in post-secondary education process in the creation of their graphic reflecting our diverse global community included representatives from OCAD novels and answered questions in a brought together participants and University and Ryerson University. casual presentation. I sat with a public panelists alike. Works discussed included librarian and we chatted about our the Jinx series, a reworked and diversified At the end of the day Andrew Woodrow- own experiences with the conference “Archie” style comic written by J. Torres, Butcher, Jamie Edwards and the and comic creators. With my nieces and the creation of a female, Muslim, Beguiling team took some time to in mind, I visited the sales table shape-shifting teen superhero named Ms. introduce a variety of upcoming releases and purchased Skim and the newly Marvel by the hugely successful Marvel for kids, teens and adults. published This One Summer. I chatted Comics publishing house. with Mariko Tamaki about her work as Many thanks to Andrew Woodrow- she signed autographs for my nieces, Lunch gave participants the opportunity Butcher of The Beguiling for giving who are avidly clamouring for more. to mingle; discussions were lively and teacher-librarians a forum to collaborate The first three workshops offered informative. Afternoon sessions were and learn more about graphic novels reflections from Raina Telgemeier and hosted by teachers, librarians and comic and comics. It was a privilege to be Lynn Johnston on hosting the best creators who shared ideas for literacy- invited to participate. z

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