DVD- Comics Workshop Kits for Kids!

It's been a while since my last post; but it's been a busy spring with school residency programs and other fun stuff! In fact, the image you see was taken from the DVD I recently produced, and it is part of a "Cartooning & Comics Workshop Kit" that I am very excited about featuring at some of my upcoming camps and convention appearances. The kit, which is perfect for kids 8 and up, will include the DVD lessons with over 40 minutes of instruction; an accompanying workbook, a pad of drawing paper, pencil, eraser and a dual-tipped ink marker! The Workshop Kit is designed to show young artists how to create their own characters using simple shapes, how to use "penciling" and "inking" techniques, how to get ideas for their comic stories and how to create their own comics! The price of the kits has not yet been determined. I created these as a result of the interest from kids and parents at my on-site workshops; and so this is a way for young cartoonists to have my "comics workshop in a box" to learn at home! The kits will be available initially at all of my summer camp appearances- the Union-West Mini-Con in Monroe, NC; also at the Baxter YMCA summer week-long camps in Fort Mill, SC; the Gaston County Museum of Art & History Mini-Camp and at HeroesCon Comic convention in Charlotte, NC. I'll post more info about the kits here or on my website as it becomes available; www.davemcdonald.com Stay TOONED!

School Library Journal Review

Hamster Sam has received his first major review on School Library Journal's "Good Comics for Kids". Overall, I am very pleased with reviewer Katherine Dacey's assessment, especially given the new direction I am taking Hamster Sam in for his next book. Here is the link to the review, and after you've read it; I always appreciate getting feedback, so feel free to comment!
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/540000654/post/1270052327.html

New Comic Cover!

Have a look at the finished cover of the Louise & Clark educational comic book, which is going to be sold as part of an end-of-year test preparation kit for elementary students. If you are a teacher, send me a message and I'll give you the scoop on how you can order these from the publisher. I'm real happy with how the book turned out; I am still proofing and doing minor edits, but we'll be going to the printer in a couple weeks.

Inked comic page

Christmas greetings! I wanted to share a page in progress with you. It's for an educational comic book that will be published by a South Carolina company. It will be part of a PASS Test preparation kit, and it features my little explorers "Louise & Clark". The book is based loosely on the "Survivor" show (how to overcome the challenges that a big state test presents through preparation). This page has been "penciled" in non-photo blue, and inked using brush tip markers and technical pens. For this project I will be adding the dialogue and narration later using computer fonts. Louise & Clark will be up against "The Varmint Brothers", Claude and Clyde- who obviously make unwise choices when it comes to preparation. It's a fun project!

Book Review/Interview posted online at Wandering Educators!

Hot off the presses- Check out this really cool review & interview over at the Wandering Educators site! Jessica Voigts, PhD and 7-year old Lillie wrote a nice article and positive review about Hamster Sam- plus Lillie interviewed me about the making of the book. She had some great questions, and it was interesting to find out what my 'target audience' wants to know about writing and drawing comics. Well done, Lillie! Check out their GiNormous website, with media reviews and info about traveling and learning all about this big blue marble.

Fan Art!

Check out this cool drawing of Hamster Sam, sent to me by a young fan named Yael. I love getting drawings of Hamster Sam from young artists! Thank you Yael!!!!

WATCH the ALL-NEW VIDEO TRAILER!

Check out the new video trailer for the book, and let me know what you think! Also, I'm on Facebook, and Hamster Sam has his own Fan Page too! Become a fan!