Life in the Funny Pages

Sometimes the best way to grin and bare it is with comics. Give your day a smile with these activities about comics and anime.

CONNECT:

• Comics are actually a 20^th century phenomenon. Read about their history at http://www.comic-art.com/history/history1.htm
• Her’s the Japanese counterpart history of anime: https://www.rightstufanime.com/anime-resources-global-history-of-anime
• Comics is a way to learn about culture, such as Hindi: https://www.untumble.com/blog/10-popular-hindi-cartoons-kids/
• Learn how to read manga at http://www.mangaforkids.com/howto.php

CREATE:

• Comics can be a family thing. Here’s how you can create a comic strip together: http://www.mykidsadventures.com/create-comic-strip-kids/
• Try some of these superhero crafts for kids: https://thejoysofboys.com/superhero-crafts-for-kids/
• Make your own comics with this online comic generator at http://gws.ala.org/content/makebeliefscomix
• Party with cartoons at https://tipjunkie.com/cartoon-characters/

CARE:

• Comics can be a fun way to read. Get your own free comics and promote free comics day on Free Comic Book Day: https://www.freecomicbookday.com/
• Comics need your help as its free expression continues to be threatened: http://cbldf.org/
• Comics can be an effective way to show inclusiveness, such as Archie’s new character with Autism: https://www.kveller.com/archie-comics-now-has-a-character-with-autism/
• Host a hunger heroes food drive play date: https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/hunger-heroes-a-food-drive-play-date/

CAREERS:

Do you find yourself doodling in comics? Maybe there’s a career for you in that. Even if you don’t draw, you might find yourself in the comics industry: writing, manufacturing, selling,  reviewer, events planning, even librarianship.  No joke!

http://www.careersincomics.com/

https://www.commarts.com/columns/careers-in-comics

https://www.careeraddict.com/5-jobs-if-you-love-comics

http://time.com/money/5004439/how-much-you-can-earn-in-the-comic-book-industry-from-artist-to-ceo/

Note to parents: here is a parent’s guide to anime: http://www.abcb.com/parents/

Read All About It: Know News

What’s the news? We’re talking about current events, be it in the neighborhood or across the globe. How does the news get covered and sent? And is all news really newsworthy – and real? These activities can help you know the news.

CONNECT:

• Watch how newspapers care created at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7zYpvtRAlE
• Trace the history of news media at http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/mediahistory.html
• Fake news isn’t new, as you can read in The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/feb/11/fake-news-long-history-beware-state-involvement
• Learn about the famous journalist Nellie Bly and her amazing trip around the world in 72 days at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK7GZiv4W4c

CREATE:

• Try these activities to engage children in the news and in The New York Times itself. You may be surprised at just how accessible and enjoyable exploring the news with The Times can be for kids! https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/issues_in_depth/10KidNewsIdeas.html
• Here are more free kid-friendly journalism fames and activities: http://www.wartgames.com/themes/writing/journalism.html
• Learn how to write a news report by watching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_NmVtnEEA8
• Create a news broadcast by following the directions at https://www.education.com/activity/article/Daily_News_fourth/

CARE:

• Don’t believe everything her read. Here’s how to spot fake news: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/explore/ngk-sneak-peek/april-2017/fake-news/
• Have you heard the news term “digging up the dirt?” That’s related to the term “muckrakers”, explained at http://www.american-historama.org/1881-1913-maturation-era/muckrakers.htm
• Public Service Messages: BY kids as well as FOR kids: http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/k-12/flatview?cuecard=2089
• Learn how to be a citizen journalist at https://www.schooliseasy.com/2017/09/teaching-kids-start-newspaper-10-citizen-journalism/

CAREER:

Do you have a nose for news? There’s always events happening, so there’s always a career in news: as a reporter, photographer, broadcaster, writer – or any of the people who support the creation and dissemination of news. Become news worthy – even as a kid!

https://careertrend.com/info-tip-8094554-newspaper-jobs-kids.html

http://www.kidzworld.com/article/20136-becoming-a-journalist

https://www.thebalance.com/tv-news-careers-525690

Hare, Hare – Hare Today

We often associate rabbit with spring and Easter. What about the rest of the year? Get a fuller picture of rabbits in doing these activities. Now hop on it!

CONNECT:

• Rabbits originated in southwest Europe and northwest Africa
• What’s the origin of the Easter bunny? Watch this video to see the answer: http://time.com/3767518/easter-bunny-origins-history/
• Rabbits are an important part of the ecosystem. Learn about their habits from the BBC’s videos: http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/life/European_Rabbit
• Experience the world of Beatrix Potter: the creator of Peter Rabbit at https://www.peterrabbit.com/
• The idea of a rabbit’s foot being lucky is worldwide – and has a long history. Not so lucky for the rabbit.  Get the inside story at http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/12/rabbits-foot-considered-lucky/

CREATE:

• Create a trivia fact game based on these fun facts about rabbits: http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/animals/rabbit.html
• Here's a family-friendly version of Welsh Rarebit (or Rabbit) to cook with or for the kids! The name supposedly comes from the fact that if poachers failed to catch a rabbit, all that there was for tea was bread and cheese! https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/welsh-rarebit
• Try making some of these cute bunny crafts: https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/bunny-crafts-and-how-to-make-them
• Hop like a bunny – and do other preschool rabbit-themed activities at https://www.educatall.com/page/459/Rabbits.html

CARE:

• Learn how to take care of a pet rabbit at: https://rabbit.org/faq-children-and-rabbits/
• Your bunny likes to play games too; try some at http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-behavior/playing-with-your-pet-bunny/
•  Bunnies can be cute, but they can also be harmful (not on purpose, of course). Here are some tips about child safety and health around pet rabbits: https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/child/childsafety/rabbits.html
• You may have heard about rabbits having lots of babies. But 30% of rabbit species are endangered. Learn about two of those endangered species at https://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/field/amami-rabbit.html and https://www.konicaminolta.com/kids/endangered_animals/library/field/volcano-rabbit.html

CAREERS:

The most obvious bunny-loving career is being a veterinarian.  But you could also be an artist (including making bunny faces), chef (bunny-shaped cakes), or even a party entertainer in a bunny costume. Hop to it!

• https://www.mspca.org/pet_resources/rabbit-health-and-veterinary-care/
• Here’s a fun challenge: finding bunny-related jobs such as rabbit rescuing: http://www.onedayonejob.com/jobs/rabbit-rescue/