Maker Comics: Live Sustainably!

Maker Comics

by Angela Boyle, Les McClaine (Illustrations)

Maker Comics: Live Sustainably! is a step-by-step DIY guide that will help kids roll up their sleeves and get making with confidence! Inside this graphic novel you'll find instructions for eight sustainability projects.

After Isaac is caught vandalizing a sign at his local community garden, he's put to work under the wing of one of the gardeners, Aurora. But Isaac's time with Aurora isn't just about growing vegetables! As they make useful projects together for the garden and for Isaac's home, Aurora teaches Isaac about the natural and human-built systems we're all a part of, how our decisions and lifestyles impact the planet, and how even a kid can make better choices to live more sustainably!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Childrens

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 19, 2022

About the author

Angela Boyle loves fictional murder mysteries, corgis, and massive quantities of tea. In 2016, she received her MFA from The Center for Cartoon Studies. She is the author of Maker Comics: Live Sustainably (First Second) and ran the natural science comic anthology Awesome 'Possum (4 volumes, itsopossum.flyingdodostudio.com). Her young-adult science-fiction Threadbare Memories is available online at tmcomic.flyingdodostudio.com and as a graphic novel in her shop. You can find more about Angela at angelabcomics.com or on social media @angelabcomics.

Reviews

[Jami Ellis]

This graphic novel is a good way for younger kids to learn about sustainable living and the importance of protecting the earth. The book includes projects that kids can make at home, with some help from an adult. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about this topic or introduce the topic to upper elementary or middle school kids.

[Nichole]

I love the MakerComics series!

This can feel a little overwhelming at the start because there is a LOT of information, but stick with it because it covers a lot of great stuff and has really practical tips and really cool stuff to make.

I did find it interesting that rain barrels were so heavily discussed. They are illegal in my state!

[Ellon]

Not the most exciting story line ( a boy defaces a community garden sign so he is sentenced to a week of community service in the garden) but packed with great information about ways to live sustainably. There are some DIY projects like a rain barrel, tote bag, etc.

[Isabella H.]

This book was so interesting!! Definitely for all ages, not just kids. This book has inspired me to reduce my waste for sure. This has many fun projects to do, I'm going to reuse old shirts to make totebags, and make beeswax wrappers.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Melody]

GREAT information!!!
Interesting and unique projects.

[Jamie]

juvenile graphic novel all living about living sustainably.

[Johanna]

Misleading, in that this comic doesn't belong in this series. With the predominant message of environmentalism, it would be a better fit in the Science Comics line (explaining how interconnected the various processes of gardening and life cycles are) or even the History Comics line (with discussion of changing attitudes towards reusability, for example).

I expect a Maker Comic to have a lot of activities kids can do, and while there are nods in that direction, with instructions on building a rain barrel or recycled notebook, I suspect a worm farm or bee garden is beyond most readers' abilities or interests.

That said, the characters and settings are well-drawn and expressive. It isn't really a do-it-yourself guide, though, so much as a polemic or evangelistic tract.

[Winona]

it was pretty boring. The only thing that caught my interest is that there where crafts to do in it. By the big 'Maker comics' sighn on the top, I thought it was a book on how to make comics so I said to myself: "I want to make a comic!" so I had already marked it in goodreads so I couldent take it off Goodreads. I ended up finishing it. Its pretty boring and I don't suggest reading it. It's about how to LIVE SUSTAINABLY.