Wednesday, July 8, 2009

FEMALES READ AND REVIEW COMICS, TOO! TRACY EDMUNDS JOINS THE GRAPHIC CLASSROOM TEAM

Pictured clockwise: Tracy (12 o'clock), Shelby (3 o'clock), and Sarah (6 o'clock).

By Tracy Edmunds
Staff Writer

I came to comics fairly late. As a kid, I can remember reading ASTERIX at my grandma’s house and a few Donald Duck comics, but not much more than that. About eight years ago my best friend, who has always been a comics fan, got me started on FABLES and I was hooked. I think I’ve been to the comic shop almost every week since then! My favorites in the adult category include FABLES, HELLBOY, and SCOTT PILGRIM. I also love all-ages works like GLISTER, CURSED PIRATE GIRL, BUMPERBOY, G-MAN, and OWLY.

Once I started bringing home comics, my two young daughters wanted to read them too, but most of what I was reading wasn’t suitable for them. So we all went looking for comics and graphic novels that we could read together. The girls are older now (Shelby is 13, going into eighth grade; Sarah is 10, going into sixth grade) and are voracious comic and graphic novel readers. The girls and I have been reviewing comics on the Internet for about six years and the highlight of our year is the pilgrimage to San Diego for Comic-Con.

I’m also a teacher working part time in a reading intervention program and I’ve seen how comics can change a reluctant reader into a rabid reader in a very short time. I’d like to see it happen for more kids. I still deal with teachers who won’t allow their students to read comics in the classroom or to check them out from the library. I’ve become an advocate for comics in the classroom at my school and am looking forward to helping spread the word here at The Graphic Classroom!

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I'm delighted to have Tracy (and hopefully her girls) join our team. She and her girls will be a real asset to The Graphic Classroom. Please help me welcome Tracy, Shelby and Sarah.)

2 comments:

Ben Villarreal said...

Likes Hellboy and Scott Pilgrim? I approve of your addition to this already great team :-)

Kevin Hodgson said...

Hey
Welcome!
It's great to have you here in the mix.
Sincerely,
Kevin