Kids create comics with Portland cartoonist

By Matthew Nash • August 7, 2024 1:30 am
Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Cecily Erickson watches as cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke draws her as an anthropomorphic red fox character similar to those found in his “Mr. Wolf’s Class” books. She was one of 20-plus children to participate on July 31 in a lesson through the North Olympic Library System in Sequim on how to make your own comic books. It was fun, Cecily said, and her mom added that she makes a lot of comics at home, too.
Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash Cecily Erickson watches as cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke draws her as an anthropomorphic red fox character similar to those found in his “Mr. Wolf’s Class” books. She was one of 20-plus children to participate on July 31 in a lesson through the North Olympic Library System in Sequim on how to make your own comic books. It was fun, Cecily said, and her mom added that she makes a lot of comics at home, too.

Sequim tweens created their own cute anthropomorphic characters and comic books last week, with some help from Portland-based comic book writer/artist Aron Nels Steinke.

Birds, cats, dogs, and reptiles came to life on children’s pages as Nels Steinke — author of the Scholastic imprint Graphix graphic novel series “Mr. Wolf’s Class” — shared his methods and tips for creating his books with about 20 children on July 31 in the Olympic Peninsula Academy gym.

“If you want to start making books, start simple,” Steinke said of making mini-comics, folded and cut sheets of paper.

He drew 12-year-old Cecily Erickson as a red fox character at her suggestion, and gave her character descriptions with the other children’s suggestions, such as her hobbies.

Erickson said it was fun and she was able to keep the drawing for her wall at home.

Steinke, a former elementary school teacher, showed his sketch pages from “Mr. Wolf’s Class” and some pages from his new book “Speechless” coming out in 2025.

“They didn’t have graphic novels like today when I was a kid,” he said.

Steinke added that comic books weren’t allowed in his classrooms as a child growing up, and he wondered how much better of a reader he’d be sooner if he had something like “Dog Man” earlier in life.

With support from Friends of the Library groups, he also held sessions for North Olympic Library System’s branches in Forks and Port Angeles on Aug. 1.

The Summer Reading Program “Read, Renew, Repeat” goes through Aug. 24, with grand prize drawings held at each NOLS branch on Aug. 27.

Free programs continue, including a game night for teens from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, in the Sequim Temporary Library. For more information, visit nols.org/srp.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Alyx Smith, left, and Elizabeth Tupper draw in their own mini-comics on July 31 inside Olympic Peninsula Academy’s gym for the North Olympic Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Alyx Smith, left, and Elizabeth Tupper draw in their own mini-comics on July 31 inside Olympic Peninsula Academy’s gym for the North Olympic Library System’s Summer Reading Program.

John John Audrain reads “Mr. Wolf’s Class” during a make-your-own comic session from cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke.

John John Audrain reads “Mr. Wolf’s Class” during a make-your-own comic session from cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke finishes a drawing of Sequim’s Cecily Erickson during a lesson on creating characters for children’s own comic books. Cecily requested he draw her as a red fox following the style of his “Mr. Wolf’s Class” series.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke finishes a drawing of Sequim’s Cecily Erickson during a lesson on creating characters for children’s own comic books. Cecily requested he draw her as a red fox following the style of his “Mr. Wolf’s Class” series.

Ruby Sly-Hobson holds a puppet of Mr. Wolf while introducing herself during a lesson on how to make a comic book from cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke, who created the Mr. Wolf character after his time as a teacher.

Ruby Sly-Hobson holds a puppet of Mr. Wolf while introducing herself during a lesson on how to make a comic book from cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke, who created the Mr. Wolf character after his time as a teacher.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke hold a puppet he made of his Mr. Wolf character that’s modeled after him and his time as a teacher.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke hold a puppet he made of his Mr. Wolf character that’s modeled after him and his time as a teacher.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke finishes a drawing and description of his Mr. Wolf character for a lesson about making characters and comic books on July 31.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke finishes a drawing and description of his Mr. Wolf character for a lesson about making characters and comic books on July 31.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke shows children how to fold a mini-comic during a lesson about making characters and comic books on July 31 in Sequim.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Cartoonist Aron Nels Steinke shows children how to fold a mini-comic during a lesson about making characters and comic books on July 31 in Sequim.

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/

Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/