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On a slightly warmer February day in this wickedly long and overly windy winter (thanks, Punxsatawney Phil!), the Children’s Library hosted the 3rd Annual Young Cartoonists Awards winners along with their friends and family for an evening to celebrate their achievements. This year’s competition was open to young Library members in grades 3 and up as well as students at schools with Library memberships and those that donate books to Project Cicero. The returning judges were a slate of professional cartoonists including Ruth Chan, Katie Fricas*, George O’Connor, and Isabel Roxas, who have all published graphic novels *(or very soon will!)
The evening began softly with a gallery style viewing of the winning entries. Everyone was invited to add comments into miniature booklets for each cartoonist.
Light refreshments were served, especially our popular comically enhanced cupcakes.
Attendees also amused themselves in our photobooth.
The young cartoonists all got to spend a few moments with the judge who had deemed their entry the best of all in each grade level category.
At the podium, each judge had a moment to share some insights about their life as a cartoonist and how the children might aim to achieve a similar goal one day. Fortunately, three of the four judges were able to join us. The evening ended with Head Librarian Carolyn Waters thanking all for coming out to this now annual event.
The kids also enjoyed reading the graphic novels by the judges as well as paging through the program which contained the complete entries of each winner.
It was a fun evening for everyone who was able to make it, including our one of the youngest winners, pictured here with his family.
Our thanks to all the children who participated as well as the judges and staff who helped us with this annual event, the friends, family, and curious comics fans who came out to support the young artists. The 4th annual contest will open in the fall, but in the meantime, if you like to write as well as draw, please consider entering our 23rd Annual Young Writers Awards competition.
All photos by staff unless otherwise specified.
