Cat Kid Comic Club: Collaborations: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #4)
#4 of 5 in Cat Kid Comic Club Series
on Goodreads (3,265)
What’s inside...
The Club members are back with new members and brand-new adventures, this time creating stories about empathy, kindness, and the art of cooperative storytelling. It's once again up to Squid Kid, Baby Frog Squid, and their friends to inspire their fellow Club members to overcome their creative blocks through collaborative storytelling. The Cat Kid Comic Club learns to collaborate in this creative, funny, and insightful graphic novel by Dav Pilkey, the author and illustrator of Dog Man. Naomi, Melvin, Flippy, Li'l Petey, Molly, and nineteen baby frog siblings return in a new book in the hilarious and heartwarming Cat Kid Comic Club series. Award-winning author and illustrator Dav Pilkey uses a variety of techniques -- including acrylic paints, colored pencils, photography, collage, gouache, watercolors, and much more -- to illustrate each frog's creative purpose and encourage teamwork. The kaleidoscope of art styles, paired with Pilkey's trademark storytelling and humor, fosters creativity, collaboration, independence, and empathy.
Discussion points
What did you think about the way the characters worked together in the story?
How do you think teamwork helped the characters create their comic?
What did you learn about handling differences in opinions from the characters?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
If you were going to add a character to the club, what qualities would they have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book's theme of collaboration and teamwork. This can help set a comfortable tone for your child to express their ideas. Encourage your child to think about instances in their own life where teamwork was essential. Highlight the importance of diverse ideas and approaches in creating something unique, much like the characters in the book did. Ask them to think about how the characters’ different personalities contributed to their group's comic project, relating it to how people in real life bring different strengths to a team.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: This book showcases characters working together to create comics, emphasizing the power of teamwork and shared creativity.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by participating in group projects at school or joining clubs that promote collaborative activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Expression
Explanation: The storyline encourages children to express themselves through art and storytelling, highlighting the importance of nurturing one's imaginative skills.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in drawing, writing stories, or creating digital content to develop their creative abilities in a tangible way.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Characters in the book often face challenges and setbacks in their creative ventures but learn to overcome them, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persevere in their endeavors, such as learning a new skill or hobby, even when it gets challenging.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Diverse Perspectives
Explanation: The club’s members bring varied ideas and viewpoints, which enrich the final comic, promoting diversity and inclusion.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to listen to and learn from peers from different backgrounds at school or in their community, fostering a more inclusive mindset.