Comics University 2026: Kidlit Comics Panel

KidLit is booming in the graphic novel sector. Join panelists Dave Scheidt (Mayor Good Boy), Rose Bousamra (Frizzy), Ivy Noelle Weir (Anne of Green Gables), and Shannon Wright (Twins) as they talk about the highs, the lows, and the process of making comics for kids.

Rose Bousamra

Rose Bousamra is an Eisner-winning cartoonist based in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Their debut graphic novel, Frizzy, was published in 2022 through First Second Books with writer Claribel A. Ortega and has earned the 2023 Pura Belpré award for Children’s Text, the 2023 Eisner award for Best Kid’s Publication, and indie bestseller status. Upcoming projects include solo graphic novel Gutless with First Second Books and 30 Ways to Kill Your Avatar with Claribel A. Ortega through Scholastic. In their free time they can be found playing fantasy video games, reading manga, or tending to the tiniest dog in the world.

https://rosemakesart.com/

Instagram: @rosebdraws

Bsky: @rosebdraws.bsky.social

Dave Scheidt

Dave Scheidt is a writer from Chicago, Illinois. When he’s not writing comic books, he likes to play video games, watch monster movies, and eat snacks. He’s the co-creator of the Mayor Good Boy graphic novel series published by Random House Children’s Books as well as Agents of SLAM and Wrapped Up with co-creator Scoot McMahon. He’s also worked on comics like Star Wars, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bendy and the Ink Machine, Adventure Time, and many, many more.

www.davescheidt.com

Instagram: @davescheidt

Bsky: @davescheidt.com

Ivy Noelle Weir

Ivy Noelle Weir (she/they) is an award-winning comic book writer, librarian, and publishing professional. She writes comics and prose for all ages. She is the author of The Secret Garden on 81st Street (Little, Brown for Young Readers), is the co-creator of the Dwayne McDuffie Award–winning graphic novel Archival Quality (Oni Press), and has written for series like Bountiful Garden (Mad Cave Studios) and anthologies like Dead Beats (A Wave Blue World).

In addition to writing, they are a librarian and publishing professional and speak regularly at professional conferences and events. In 2015, they were selected for the ALA’s Emerging Leaders program, and in 2019 they were a Publishers Weekly Star Watch honoree.

https://www.ivynoelleweir.com/

Instagram: @ivynoelle

Bsky: @ivynoelle.bsky.social

Shannon Wright

Shannon Wright is an award-winning illustrator and cartoonist based out of Richmond, Virginia. Shannon was awarded a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor and a Robert F. Sibert Honor for Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, written by Traci N. Todd. She tells personal and original stories that invoke nostalgia rooted from her own childhood and life experiences.

https://shannon-wright.com/

Instagram: @shannondrewthis