Join us for a live chat on January 30th at 3PM EST with children's illustrator Rich Cando. Rich is the illustrator of the History Dudes books and is the creator of the Star Dudes series, a spoof of Star Wars.
Rich had creative interests as a child, which inspired him to pursue the career path he has today. How do you encourage your own kids' creative passions? Or how can you get your children to put down their video games and release their imagination?
Get tips on this and more in our chat with Rich Cando in parenting.gather.com. And be sure to bring the kids! We encourage you to have them ask Rich questions about his cartoons and to share their favorite creative activities.
If you can't make it to the chat, leave a question in the comment field below.
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Share tips and fun ideas for families at Parenting.gather.com.To join click here.
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Comments: 67
This sounds like great fun! I'll try to join it.
I have a thirteen year that has some artistic abilities, but have found that she uses it to express her feelings. She hasn't shown a desire to learn drawing techniques and I would like to see her go further into it, as some of her drawings has shown a natural abiltity to draw from what she sees.
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Aesop for Wednesday, January 23
I also have a toy bag that we use for making stories. (he pulls toys out and tells me about them as he acts out scenes with them. I write these stories down.)
I'm a FIRM believer in not limiting your kids when it comes to imagination and creativity.
I will mark my calendar and try to be here for this. :)
For the next hour we'll talk to Rich about his work and discuss ideas on how to nurture creativity in children. But this chat isn't just intended for parents. We encourage you to invite your kids to ask questions as well.
I really loved cartoons on TV and comic strips in the newspaper. I would try to draw the characters i loved like Snoopy and Scooby Doo. My parents and teachers gave me a lot of support to keep up with it.
what sort of artistically developmental things can we do to encourage lillie's love of art?
Rich, "wiaka's just ... curious" sent this question in:
I have a thirteen year that has some artistic abilities, but have found that she uses it to express her feelings. She hasn't shown a desire to learn drawing techniques and I would like to see her go further into it, as some of her drawings has shown a natural abiltity to draw from what she sees.
Rich how can I make this learning and creative experience fun for her without pushing?
Do you ever come across parents who believe the opposite? Or perhaps parents who don't think that creativity and imagination are of importance to a child's development? What advice would you give these parents?
jessie says: thank you, rich - we try to get all sorts of art supplies for her. i just feel that since i am not so artistic (besides w/my camera) that she has a hurdle to get over. maybe your next book should be about *what* to provide your kids with, and how to get them going! she uses everything we've bought for her. i just am not sure that she's progressing, since she is just learning on her own. there are no art classes anywhere by us. i check out LOTS of art books from the library, and she creates someth every day, that's for sure. i am so pleased to hear how you learned. i just need to let it go, i think, and she'll get wherever she will go and be happy about it!
lucky you, to have seen the elgin marbles.!
Do you think that the presence of electronic entertainment has a negative effect on children using their creativity? Or can it perhaps help nurture it?
I've begun talks with companies in the entertainment industry about taking History Dudes to animation. That would be a big dream for me. I'm just getting the stories and concepts together and continuing our talks but it does take sometime before it makes it to TV.
In addition to cartoons, do you have any other creative hobbies or interests?
Everyone, we have about 15 minutes left the chat.
Rich, we hear a lot of stories about arts programs being cut in schools. Do you have recommendations on programs parents can involve their children with outside of the classroom?
Thank you to the Gather members who watched and participated. Until next time!
thank you, liz and rich - we've learned a lot, and come away inspired!
Rich, I love your books! That is exactly the type of book that catches kids interests and starts them on the path toward some serious interests! My kids are examples of ingenuity like yours in fiction books. Keep it up. Thanks for the chat today.