Author SPLOTlight: Raina Telgemeier

Raina Telgemeier

Once upon a time, there was a young girl who loved The Baby-sitters Club series. Then she grew up and became an artist, creating graphic novels and comic books, winning award after award. Meanwhile, a publishing company was in the midst of creating a new line of graphic novels, called Graphix. They had heard a lot about this artist, and they invited her in to see what kinds of ideas she could contribute. They asked her what books she read as a kid, and of course, she mentioned the BSC (that's the acronym for The Baby-sitters Club, for all you newbies!). And the rest is history!

 

Raina Telgemeier is the artist behind the awesome graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin's The Baby-sitters Club books: so far, she's done Kristy's Great Idea, The Truth About Stacey, Mary Anne Saves the Day, and Claudia and Mean Janine. Instead of just reading the words on the page, fans of the BSC now get to see them and watch all the baby-sitting, middle-school-ing adventures of the BSC members rendered in Telgemeier's charming, detailed drawings.

As a big BSC fan myself, I re-discovered the books in new ways once I saw what Telgemeier did with them. In the just-released graphic novel edition of Claudia and Mean Janine, Telgemeier's drawings are playful and captivating. The depictions of the BSC members are true to character, and the super-expressive, totally energetic illustrations practically leap off the page. Whether you're a BSC fan or not, Telgemeier's graphic versions are just plain fun to read.

What's even cooler is that Telgemeier's BSC versions have now gotten me interested in her other graphic novels, particularly Smile: A Dental Drama. Until then, I'll just occupy myself with discovering other graphic artists! Any suggestions?

— Morgan, Scholastic Staffer

Art © 2006 by Raina Telgemeier

Comments

[Comment #1]

I am actually reading The Baby-Sitters Club:Kristy's Great Idea, and it is a very good book.

[Comment #2]

I read the truth about stacy,kristy's great idea and cladia and the phantom's phone calls.i LOVED THEM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.i hope a new one comes out within a range of next month wich is september by 30th

[Comment #3]

I just found these at the library and brought one home for my reluctant-reader daughter. She read it in less than 24 hours (she rarely reads on purpose). Thank you so much for making this amazing series come alive for her.