Looking for a creative and entertaining educational program that will engage kids in your Chicagoland library?
My Creative Cartooning class taps kids’ attraction to humor and penchant for doodling — and teaches them to make something great. They have fun while learning a new skill (but don’t tell them that).
In this interactive, one hour hands-on class, kids aged 8-12 will:
- Draw expressive cartoon faces.
- Sketch bodies in motion.
- Write both visual and verbal jokes.
- Use symbols to express ideas.
“My favorite part was your sense of humor. The kids were so relaxed and focused.“
– Lynne Priest, Arlington Heights Library
Why me?
I’m a full-time professional cartoonist. I’ve been drawing cartoons and comics since I could hold a pencil, and I’m always on the lookout for humor in everyday life that others might not notice.
Since 1999, I’ve created thousands of cartoons for companies and publications of every size. My stuff has appeared in national publications like:
- Reader’s Digest
- The Wall Street Journal
- Good Housekeeping
- Harvard Business Review
I’ve also worked for corporate clients including:
- The National Geographic Society
- Scholastic
- Edutopia
- US Airways
I’ve taught Creative Cartooning at many libraries in the Chicagoland area:
- Elk Grove Village Library
- Bridgeview Public Library
- Clarendon Hills Public Library
- Schaumburg Public Library
- Barrington Area Library
- Aspen Drive Library
- Cook Park Library
- Evergreen Park Public Library
- Arlington Heights Memorial Library
- Batavia Public Library
- Villa Park Public Library
- Niles Public Library
In addition, I’ve been a featured speaker at the National Cartoonists Society‘s annual Reuben Awards, spoken at the Kenosha Festival of Cartooning, delivered seminars on Success in Comics, and written for the International Journal of Comic Art. I even have a cartoon in the Smithsonian Museum of American History!
“The participants had a great time and learned a lot from Mark, but equally important was Mark’s ability to handle the kids. Not everyone who presents a program knows how to manage kids.”
– Deidre Winterhalter, Niles Public Library
Why cartooning is a big hit with kids
You already know that graphic novels fly off the shelves with tweens. Kids who might otherwise be hard to engage embrace cartooning for lots of reasons. They get the humor. They’re drawn to the visuals. And they can express themselves on the page.
I’ve created age-appropriate templates to model cartooning techniques and guide participants in actively exploring and crafting their own cartoons throughout the workshop. And students take home everything afterwards, so the learning — and fun — can continue long afterward.
“I was most impressed at how eager the children were to share their work. Your program was well-planned and not only informative, but VERY fun.”
– Joleen Batek, Batavia Public Library
Availability
My Creative Cartooning workshops are offered year-round. They’re a great choice for school non-attendance days, weekends, summer break, and more.
Please contact me today for more information or to schedule a class.
“I liked how interactive the program was. I would definitely recommend your class to anyone interested.”
– Krista Devlin, Clarendon Hills Library
“Mark Anderson is one of the funniest people I know, and as a cartoonist for The Simpsons I know a lot of funny people! I’ve also had the pleasure of sitting in on his class, and he taught me some things I didn’t know about great cartooning!”
– Bill Morrison, Simpsons and Disney Cartoonist, President of the National Cartoonists Society