Episode 42 - Graphic Novels
Gavin Aung Than is a New York Times bestselling cartoonist and creator of Zen Pencils, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, and is currently working on the middle grade graphic novel series Super Sidekicks, published by Penguin Random House Australia.
After working in the corporate graphic design industry for 8 years he quit his unfulfilling job to focus on his true passion: drawing comics. Gavin launched Zen Pencils at the start of 2012, a cartoon blog which adapts inspirational quotes into comic stories, and hasn’t looked back since. Zen Pencils has been featured by The Washington Post, National Geographic, Slate, Buzzfeed, Gawker, Brain Pickings, was named one of the Internet’s top 100 websites in 2013 by PCMag and has been collected into four books.
His current project Super Sidekicks is a fun-filled action adventure middle grade series that pays homage to the superhero comics Gavin loved as a kid. Book 1: No Adults Allowed and Book 2: Ocean’s Revenge are out now. Book 3 in the series, Trial of Heroes, is due for release in April 2020.
(PHOTO: Wendy Cartwright Photography)
Find out more about Gavin at:
Website: www.aungthan.com
Twitter: @zenpencils
Facebook: @zenpencils
Instagram: @zenpencils
Books by Gavin Aung Than
Kids Capers - Nat & Ben's Question Time with Mike Barry
ABOUT MIKE:
Mike Barry is the writer and illustrator of Action Tank, an amazing graphic novel series made for amazing kids. He created Action Tank because he loves comics and he loves kids, and will take any opportunity to bring those things together.
Check out his Kickstarter campaign, where you can get signed copies of Book 1 and the brand new Book 2 at actiontank2.com
Find out more about Mike and his books at:
Website: actiontankcomic.com
Instagram: @mikebarrywashere
Twitter: @mike_barry
MIKE'S BOOKS:
ABOUT BEN:
Ben is an almost 8 year old who loves reading stories, hearing stories and - most of all - telling stories. He's read the entire Wimpy Kid and Billy B Brown series multiple times, and also enjoys comics, podcasts and fishing with his dad.
Ben is not only a big inspiration for his dad Mike's Action Tank graphic novels, he's also a big supporter of them, having made more than a few sales at in the playground.
Whatcha Readin?
Kate recommends The Adventures of Anders by Gregory McKay, published by Allen and Unwin.
allenandunwin.com/browse/books/childrens/childrens-fiction/The-Adventures-of-Anders
Liz recommends Guts by Raina Telgemeier, published by Scholastic.
Nat recommends the Amulet series by Kazu Kabuishi, published by Graphix.
kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/the-stonekeeper-by-kazu-kibuishi/
Shout-out
This episode, Nat gives a shoutout to Little Literature Co. and their multi-award winning card game Talu Tales, that sparks an interest in learning STEM through storytelling and creative play.
Check out more about their story telling journey below.
Website: littleliterature.co
Facebook: @littleliteratureco
Instagram: @littleliteratureco
Twitter: @littlelitco
On Our Radar
On our radar this week is the SCBWI Sydney Xmas party with special guests Oliver Phommavanh and Margrete Lamond.
Info at: https://australiaeastnz.scbwi.org/events/book-craft-and-holiday-cheer/
Tickets at: https://www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=566884&
Competition Details
This episode we have a ripper Graphic Novel prize pack to give away! That’s right, strap in, because not only do we have both of Gavin Aung Than’s first two Super Sidekicks: No Adults Allowed and Ocean’s Revenge but also a signed copy of Mike Barry’s first graphic novel, Action Tank: Book 1. More illustrated action than you can throw a stick at!
Head to our WIN page and simply tell us your favourite graphic novel for kids.
Enter your answer (or ask a parent to) by 5pm Tuesday 17th December to be in the running.
Other Bits & Pieces
BOOKS ON KICKSTARTER:
On this episode we talk about some other great books who also got their start on Kickstarter, including...
CBCA MAURICE SAXBY CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM:
Nat also talks about the Maurice Saxby Creative Development Program run by the CBCA down in Melbourne. It's where Nat and Mike Barry met and she had the best two weeks of her life.
Applications are now open until 31 Jan 2020.
Find out more at www.writingwa.org/opportunities/maurice-saxby-creative-development-program/
Thanks
To illustrator Marianne Khoo (and her assistant Max) for designing the One More Page podcast logo and other associated images.
And to our sound editor Adam Orlowski for his wonderful audio genius - check out his other work at www.aosd.tk
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