Yep! This is one fast read! However it is also reference and I will be returning again and again to this volume. This book is by The New Yorker cartoon editor, Robert Mankoff, and is an outstanding book to learn how gags are written or to be reminded to those of us who get way wrapped up in the practical side of things. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to construct visual humor or written gags this book must be read.

I also started this because of cartooning events that are occurring in the next few days and I should read some of my cartooning books.

 Tomorrow I’ll be at the Orlando Public Library giving a talk on National Cartoonists Day (May 5) and Free Comic Book Day (May 3). I also organized getting the entire library system to hand out free comic books to all children who check out books tomorrow. I brought in long-time friend, Phil Boyle, to supply the comics. Phil owns the 9 ‘Coliseum of Comics’ stretched across Central Florida. Next year I’m hoping we’ll run this through Osceola, Polk and Hillsborough Counties.

Our hope is that children will just read a bit more (Or a WHOLE LOT MORE) books and/or comics. Reading is the best pathway to success and children are being dragged away from it more and more by the rest of the entertainment industry. The best I think we can hope for is for parents to read significantly more and that in itself will have their children read more. I’d love to go on, but I’m trying to keep my soapbox out of this blog. I think all can get where I’m going with this.