Tag: love

Categories
Children's Books

Jabbing at Picture Books

Cartoon of a dad reading a bedtime story to his son. The son says, “Read me the one about the dad who loved his son no matter what!”

USA Today has an article about the guys from JibJab getting into the picture book market. Gregg and Evan Spiridellis are using iPads and what they’ve learned from the e-card market  to bring kids into the picture book… literally.

I loved the fact that technology can bring picture books into a new realm. Just think what could happen in a couple of years! We could have animated picture books where the child is embedded into the story as if it was a home movie. There could be pop-up books that utilize 3D technology to put the child in the story. How would a kid react to see themselves pop out of the story? Wouldn’t that be awesome?

Some people may see this as a bad thing. But I believe any technology used to tell a story can be just as legitimate as any other. Content is the important thing. A poor story will flounder whether it is done traditionally or with every bell and whistle a programmer can throw at it. At the same time, a good story will shine whether it is done on back of napkins or in an iPad app.

However, technology can get in the way of a parent. If an e-reader is used in the place of a dad who doesn’t want to read that dad-blamed story for the one-hundredth time, then something very valuable is lost. Kids need to have their parents read to them whenever it is possible.

What are your thoughts?

Categories
Adobe Illustrator cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon love Parenting Cartoons single panel cartoon webcomic

Ice Cream Dreams

 

Cartoon of  a mom and a boy at a sundae. The boy says, “€œYou just made all my dreams come true!”

What is it about food that says, “love?” I guess our very survival depends on food. When someone goes out of the way to give an extra-special treat, we get all ga-ga, especially if it’s our favorite.  May you receive a special treat today, even as you give someone a treat.

Categories
love writing

Moratorium… for today

Most days, I love to publish those cartoons. But today, I’m taking a little break in honor of a family member.

Most people either love or hate cats. I’ve never met anyone who straddles the fence on that one. I grew up with farm cats who were required to be spitfires and cunning predators if they were to survive. I didn’t hate them, but I didn’t exactly get warm and fuzzy when I thought about them.

About ten years ago, my five-year old daughter heard a pathetic mew coming from our front yard. She begged me to come with her to investigate. I knew what that sound was and I didn’t want anything to do with it. I was working a temporary job after being laid off. September 11 had happened. It didn’t feel like a good time to have another mouth to feed.

But I was overruled. When my daughter found that little kitten hiding in the wheel well of my car, it was an instant bond. I knew we were going to be cat owners. She named the kitten Emily. When we took her to the vet, we found out she was a he. She announced he would be Andrew.

Andrew became part of our family. He made cat lovers of the most hardened feline intolerant souls. He loved to cuddle up to each one of us. But of course, since he came from the outdoors, he always wanted back outdoors. We tried to make him an indoor cat, but he yearned to be free.

I wanted to wring his neck that first Christmas when he destroyed the tree. I growled at him when I pried a chipmunk from his jaw and had to get a tetanus shot because the little rodent held on to me like I was a sycamore. But for the most part, he was a loving, patient cat. Many friends and family would say how great of a cat he was. A few said they didn’t like cats, but they loved our Andrew.

When we got a dog, I wondered how he would react. For a while, he acted as if he had been dethroned. But he tolerated our new puppy and had developed an understanding with her. We couldn’t have asked for anymore than that.

Yesterday, I found our cat on the front porch. The cunning hunter had become the hunted. We lost a dear family member yesterday. So I suppose you may be able to understand if I don’t want to delve into some mirth today.

But wait a few weeks. You just may see some cartoons in honor of a certain feline with a taste for Christmas trees.

Categories
cartoon children cartoons gag cartoon holiday illustration love single panel cartoon webcomic

Thwarted Cupid

Here is an illustration of Cupid and a boy. Cupid is upset because the boy has blocked Cupid’s arrows with a trash can lid.

Cupid’s day is over and alas, there were probably some thwarted plans and proposals yesterday. Here is a hand-drawn cartoon of one of Cupid’s exploits.

Categories
Adobe Illustrator cartoon gag cartoon holiday relationship cartoons webcomic

I Heart U Valentine!

Illustration of a couple walking. The man is pouting because he has to wear a heart sweater.
It’s cute to see elderly couples who have been together longer than their golden anniversary. I’ve seen many a cranky man have to bear the adoration of his sweetheart. My goal is to one day be one of those guys who has to grin and bear it. Because you know, deep down, those guys wouldn’t have it any other way.
Happy 24th Valentine’s Day, Miss Paula!
I drew this for Valentine’s Day and for Illustration Friday. This week’s word is “sweater.”