DIY for the Next Generation of Makers in HOWTOONS

June 17, 2014

Kids build a world of fun, comic-book-style

Celine and Tucker, the brother-and-sister heroes of HOWTOONS, are kids who see the potential for play everywhere. When their mother challenges to make something other than trouble, their adventure begins in an adventure-DIY graphic novel from Image Comics!

In 360 pages of discovery, HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION will bring kids into Celine and Tucker’s world, using everyday objects to construct toys that teach real-life science and engineering principles. Co-created by MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient Saul Griffith, Joost Bonsen, Nick Dragotta (EAST OF WEST), and Ingrid Dragotta, HOWTOONS will be published in July.

Together, Celine and Tucker use items lurking in the corners of their garage, the dusty shelves of hardware stores, and even their own trashcan to create their own adventures. Through “The Legend of the Monkey Fist Clan,” the siblings learn to build a tree swing, find out the ultimate first-person shooter isn’t a video game in “The Infamous Marshmallow Shooter,” set up their own workshop, make ice cream without a freezer, play music with a turkey baster, and launch rockets. Along the way are instructions for projects seamlessly integrated into the storytelling that engage kids' creativity and natural interest in how the world around them works. From bubbles to bots, hippo farts to hovercrafts — HOWTOONS is the book for the next generation of explorers and makers.

“We need every generation to be enabled to create their world,” the creators write in the introduction to HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION. “It starts with creativity and inventing one’s own toys and games. It involves knowledge of tools, materials, and process. It will be beautiful as we marry the art with the science, and the design with the engineering. Come play with us.”

HOWTOONS will be getting a moment in the spotlight at the first-ever White House Maker Faire on June 18, hosted by President Obama, where co-creator Saul Griffith will be a guest. Griffith will be presenting HOWTOONS at the event, which “will feature Makers, innovators, and entrepreneurs of all ages who are using cutting-edge tools to bring their ideas to life.”

In addition, artist Nick Dragotta will be at the American Library Association Conference in Las Vegas on June 27, 28, and 29, in the Image Comics booth. He will do a HOWTOONS workshop on the Graphic Novel/Gaming stage on Saturday, June 28 at 4 pm.

Just the thing to cure the late-summer doldrums and get creativity flowing, HOWTOONS: TOOLS OF MASS CONSTRUCTION will be in comic book stores on July 23 and bookstores on August 5. It’s available for pre-order now.