Graphic Novels
Letting Pictures Tell the Story
January-May 2008

The Children’s Department of the Northport-East Northport Public Library is pleased to feature our new and growing collection of graphic novels for children in the next Museum Cove exhibit beginning January, 2008.

Remember Superman? Dick Tracy? Archie? Comics have come a long way since those original brightly-colored leaflets available at the local five-and-dime store. The graphic novel format—which has recently taken the children’s literary world by storm—can best be described as a book-length comic. The story is told in pictures, often accompanied by speech balloons. It is up to the reader to “look between the lines” and complete the tale. Some graphic novels do not have any dialogue or text, yet facial expressions, squiggly motion lines, and colors and shading manage to effectively convey the story, panel by panel. Interestingly, the collection is not exclusively novels; rather, it spans the genres of fiction, nonfiction, and biography.
In our newly-expanded Museum Cove, we have joined forces with Grasshopper’s Comics of Williston Park to present a colorful, eye-popping exhibit highlighting the history of comics up to the present day. John Riley, owner of Grasshopper’s Comics, has loaned the Library an assortment of printed material and collectibles representing the wide variety of styles within cartoon graphic art. His Williston Park shop, one of the the largest of its kind on Long Island, features comics, anime, manga, and graphic novels. Mr. Riley has embraced the graphic novel format because it gets children interested in comics and reading.

You don’t need super powers to know that with their comic-style illustrations and variety of subject matter, the graphic novels in our collection are sure to motivate and please readers of all ages! Come into the Museum Cove at the Northport Library and enjoy Graphic Novels: Letting Pictures Tell the Story, on display from January to May, 2008.

Museum Cove Movie Night
Friday, January 11, 7:00 p.m.
For children ages 5 and up
Come enjoy a terrific animated
adventure! We will be showing famed
Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s feature-length film Kiki’s Delivery Service. Rated G. 103 minutes.

Baby-Sitters Club After School Meeting
(N) Monday, February 4, 4:00 p.m.
For children in grades 3-6; adults welcome
Come meet Raina Telgemeier, the author who has been
transforming the much-loved Baby-Sitters Club series into graphic novel format. Raina will discuss the artistic process, read from her books, and answer questions. Books will be available for purchase and autographing. Registration begins January 22 at the Northport Library.

Cartoon Workshop
(N)  Saturday, March 29, 1:00 p.m.
For children in grades 4-6
Local cartoonist David Miller will be coming to the library to instruct children in basic cartooning technique.  Learn to draw characters such as Ziggy, Snoopy, and SpongeBob, and have a few laughs along the way!
Registration begins March 15.

Museum Cove for Preschoolers
(N)  Saturday, April 12, 10:00 a.m.
For children ages 3-5 not yet in kindergarten
Come to the Museum Cove for “action packed” stories, songs, and a craft.
Registration begins March 29.

Create Your Own Comic Strip
(N)  Wednesday, May 14, 4:00 p.m.
For children in grades K-2
Have a story you want to tell? Visit the Museum Cove and use our materials to create your very own comic strip.
Registration begins April 30.