New Releases by Mike Artell

CARTOONING FOR KIDS #1 is the first in a series of how-to-draw-cartoons books for beginning cartoonists. Unlike many "how to draw" books, MIke puts less emphasis on "underlying structure" and more emphasis on "outlines and edges," which is the way most kids like to draw. Mike Artell has taught hundreds of thousands of kids (and adults!) how to draw cartoons using this, "outlines and edges" approach during his school visits, on television and online. Mike's goal is to help young cartoonists focus on the Three R's when drawing their cartoons: The cartoons should be RECOGNIZABLE. In other words, the cartoons should look like what you're trying to draw. Someone should be able to look at a drawing you've done and know what it is you've drawn. It could be a dog, a whale, etc. It's not necessary that the cartoon is an, "accurate" drawing of a dog or whale, only that the viewer can easily recognize what it is you've drawn. In fact, sometimes "inaccuracies" are really funny. The cartoons should be REMARKABLE. The finished product should be something that elicits an honest, positive reaction from the viewer. A typical positive reaction from the viewer might be something like, "Wow! This is really good. I didn't know you could draw like this." The cartoons should be REPRODUCIBLE. If you learn how to draw a particular cartoon once, it should be possible to draw a similar cartoon again if you decide to do so in the future. It doesn't matter if you draw with a pencil on a sheet a paper, a piece of chalk on the sidewalk, or an electronic drawing device. The first step is to make a mark on a blank surface. There aren't many rules for creating cartoons, so feel free to stretch your creative muscles and have some fun. cartooning;drawing;art;cartoons;illustrations;graphics;doodles;

A hilarious - and sometimes touching - collection of things teachers have actually heard young children say in class. From the little girl who was having a, "bad panty day" to the boy who knew he had an elbow but couldn't find it, this book is guaranteed to touch your funny bone and your heart. A perfect gift for teachers.

Mason Madrid knows how to make his classmates and teacher laugh but when the class gets some bad news, a substitute teacher helps Mason understand that his sense of humor can also serve a higher purpose.

The author writes a wonderful story. The illustrator creates incredible images. But what can educators bring to their read-alouds? Do the read-alouds ROCK? The fact is, every read-aloud is a performance. And every aspect of a read-aloud performance informs a child's understanding and appreciation of the story. In this book educators of elementary grades learn dozens of innovative ways to ROCK the read-alouds regardless of experience or performance skills. Educators can apply all the techniques in this book or simply pick a specific performance area to improve upon. Regardless, methods and classroom-tested approaches are provided by some of the best read-aloud performers and storytellers in the business.

Kids can draw the coolest jets, the most amazing helicopters and prop planes. And while they're learning to draw they can read about its specs - speed, length, mission. Check out the photo and 3-axis drawing of each aircraft too. Wait! They're not done...click on the QR code to see awesome video of each aircraft in action. Too cool!

Really? You have time to color? Somehow, while most responsible grownups were busy at their jobs, raising their kids and trying to pay their bills, coloring books for adults became wildly popular. Today's coloring books are supposed to provide stressed-out adults with a way to "unplug" and relax. But everyone knows that while they're sitting around playing with their colors, important stuff is not getting done. And it's piling up. But a trend is a trend so let's do this. Here is a coloring book for adults who really have way too much other stuff to do.

Did you know Peyton Manning threw 39 touchdowns during his senior year of high school? Discover how an amazing high school and college football player went on to become a Super Bowl champion!

Did you know Drew Brees played baseball, basketball, and tennis in high school? Discover how a star high school and college athlete went on to become a Super Bowl champion!

Finally! Sports biographies for beginning readers! Kids will devour all the facts about their favorite athletes and how they rose to the top of their game. Action packed Sports Illustrated KIDS photography lets kids see the pros and their famous moments up close. Produced in partnership with Sports Illustrated KIDS.

I don't know for sure if dat story is true, But down where de Cajuns live on de bayou, When dey tell dem stories, dey shore like to talk About dat boy Jacques and his magic beanstalk. You know the classic story of Jack and the Beanstalk, but you've never heard it like this before. Told in Cajun dialect with a distinct bayou flair, this book is perfect for reading aloud. There is even a glossary and pronunciation guide to help! The creators of Petite Rouge (which Publishers Weekly called "a sassy, spicy outing") once again deliver a hilarious twist on a well-known fairy tale.

Okey-Dokey Ding-a-Ling’s ridiculous rhymes are guaranteed to get tongues wiggling and bellies giggling. The silly story offers a surprise with each turn of the page, including animal cameos from waving penguins and smooching frogs to dining dinosaurs and swinging chimpanzees! Rhythmic text and alliteration are perfect for reading aloud, and with lift-the-flap, pull-tab, and pop-up pages, Okey-Dokey’s interactive elements are sure to encourage exploration in young readers.

Fun and colorful introduction to the contents of the sky: stars, galaxies, planets, meteors, comets, black holes, and much more.

Trosclair, Thibodeaux, and Ulysse are three pigs with a whole lot to do. Their mom has just kicked them out of the house and it's time they make their own way and start constructing new homes in the heart of the swamp. When ol' Claude the gator comes sneaking along, however, the three brothers are forced to question their choice of construction materials! This hilarious tale from the creators of the popular Petite Rouge (which School Library Journal declared "A treat from start to finish") will once again take you to the heart of the Cajun swamps and show you the Three Little Pigs like you've never seen them.

Learn how to draw simple characters, then exaggerate, simplify or contort them to crack your friends up.

C.1 ST. AID JR. LIBRARY GUILD. 09-26-2007. $17.96.

Mike Artell rouses reluctant writers with 43 short, informational writing exercises that use humor to engage students and equip them with the skills they'll need to write clearly and effectively. Using "real world" texts like letters, advertising copy, resumes, and maps, Reaching the Reluctant Writer helps you encourage students to trust their own wit, stretch their creative muscle, and learn how to "think funny." Each inventive exercise challenges students to practice specific writing craft skills and includes a drawing component that develops visual literacy. The result is a valuable resource that blends humor and creativity with practical, real world writing practice.

Educational resource for teachers, parents and kids!

Ideally suited for Guided Reading and proven highly successful in Reading Recovery and similar early intervention programs, the 169 Carousel Readers were conceived and created by teachers and teacher trainers. The Carousel Big Books contain the same text and illustrations and are ideal for shared reading. Teacher's Cards for each title provide comprehensive support.

The Dominie Odyssey Series provides 60 titles, with both fiction and nonfiction genres, that feature strong characters, compelling stories, and issues that students will find engaging. This series is authorized by some of the most recognizable names in children's literature, including Joan Anderson, Mike Artell, Fleur Beale, Margaret Beames, Jean Bennett, Gretchen Brassington, Eve Bunting, Pauline Cartwright, Mary Louise Downer, Gail Kimberly, Lael Littke, Owen McShane, Ned Mungar, John Parker, Martha Tolles, Alan Trussell-Cullen, Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, and Trevor Wilson. A seperate book, Meet the Author's, provides a study of the 18 Odyssey authors who have collectively written and published more than 900 titles.

The Dominie Odyssey Series provides 60 titles, with both fiction and nonfiction genres, that feature strong characters, compelling stories, and issues that students will find engaging. This series is authorized by some of the most recognizable names in children's literature, including Joan Anderson, Mike Artell, Fleur Beale, Margaret Beames, Jean Bennett, Gretchen Brassington, Eve Bunting, Pauline Cartwright, Mary Louise Downer, Gail Kimberly, Lael Littke, Owen McShane, Ned Mungar, John Parker, Martha Tolles, Alan Trussell-Cullen, Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, and Trevor Wilson. A seperate book, Meet the Author's, provides a study of the 18 Odyssey authors who have collectively written and published more than 900 titles.

Can you draw letters that look like bones, pencils, or tools? What about broken, slimy, or fuzzy letters? Kids will love copying these wacky alphabets, and will be inspired to create their own fonts. The book includes examples of 17 different alphabets, followed by sections on cartoon words (such as drawing words in the shape of the things they describe), special effects (such as loops), and ideas for what to do with these newly learned skills. Use this resource to encourage students to be imaginative and to make lettering that can enhance school projects of all kinds. Grades 2-8. Illustrated.

When her grand-mère comes down wit' de flu, this Cajun Little Red knows what she has to do. With her witty cat, TeJean, she sets off in a pirogue to bring Grand-mère some gumbo. Who should she meet upon the way, but that big ol' swamp gator, Claude! Mean ol' Claude may want to gobble up Petite Rouge, but she and TeJean have a better idea. Before long, they have Claude running back to the bayou where he belongs!

These simple little cartoons that people scribble while they’re chatting on the phone or listening to someone boring can also really improve a person’s drawing skills. Just a few strokes—a rainbow arc, a wavy line, a small cone for a stem—make an acorn appear on the page. Complete the picture by giving it a smiley face and a “speech balloon” with some witty words inside. It’s just a short jump from a single picture to a full-fledged comic strip.

Questions, Facts & Tongue Twisters about Creepy, Crawly Creatures.

A silly lift-the-flap book features a variety of four-legged, six-legged, and eight-legged creatures concealed behind a flap. Can you guess what or who is behind each flap?

Test your wits and pathfinding skills in 40 confusing creations full of false leads, blind alleys, and dead ends. You'll have hours of fun threading your way through these fascinating mazes. Solutions included.