What a cool book! Calling all kids who want to be a writer and illustrator of graphic novels— SHARE YOUR SMILE by Raina Telgemeier is for you!

Thanks to the Kid Lit Exchange for the review copy of this book. As always, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means that Lu and Bean Read may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) on products purchased through external vendors.

In SHARE YOUR SMILE, Raina Telgemeier walks kids through her process for creating some of her very popular graphic novels: SMILE, SISTERS, DRAMA, and GHOSTS. 

Interspersed with excerpts from the books and descriptions of Telgemeier’s process are writing prompts, drawing lessons, and spaces for kids to plan and execute the beginnings of their own graphic novels. The book also includes ideas for consistently sparking creativity and finding sources of inspiration in your own life.

Best of all, Telgemeier takes kids’ writing and illustration very seriously. She is not humoring kids here! One thing serious kid artists will think is cool is how the author shares the tools she uses to create her art. I learned a lot about what it takes to produce a quality graphic novel!

Highly recommended for fans of Raina Telgemeier, graphic novels in general, and any kids who dream of creating their own graphic novel some day. All writers—even those who are not illustrators—can find inspiration here.

Since this is a workbook, I pre-ordered two copies so Lu and Bean could each have their own creative work space. 

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