Comics are Awesome.
Let’s Make Some!
School Visits with Josh Smeaton — Cartoonist & Author
Get your students excited about reading, storytelling, and creating comics of their own!
Josh brings an energetic, interactive celebration of comics to schools throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties.
A gateway to lifelong reading
Kids love comics. And when kids discover that reading can be genuinely fun, they want to read more.
Josh’s school visits celebrate everything that’s awesome about comics—from characters and cartooning to visual storytelling—while encouraging kids to pick up more books and start creating stories of their own.
You don’t have to be an amazing artist to make comics.
Storytelling is for everyone!
Interactive Assemblies
Grades K–6 • Approximately 45 minutes
A fast-paced, interactive celebration of comics, cartooning, reading, and storytelling—with a visual presentation, audience participation, live drawing, and plenty of laughs.
Students don’t just watch—they help shape the fun along the way!
Make a Comic Workshop
Grades 3+ • Approximately 1 hour
Students discover the basics of cartooning and visual storytelling, then we invent a character and story together and everyone creates their own 3–4 panel comic.
No art experience required. Just a pencil, paper, and imagination.
Schedule A Visit
Visits can be arranged to fit the needs of your school. Common formats include:
Single Assembly
One approximately 45-minute interactive presentation.
Single Cartooning Workshop
One approximately 45-minute Make a Comic Together workshop for students in grades 3 and above. Workshops are suitable for groups of up to 75 students, as long as there is enough table space for them to work at.
Double Visit
Two presentations scheduled back-to-back. Choose two assemblies, two workshops, or one of each.
Full-Day Visit
Mix and match three or four assemblies and hands-on cartooning workshops throughout the school day.
Based in Los Angeles and available for school visits throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the school need to provide?
Not much! For assemblies, the school provides a projector and screen, microphone for groups larger than 30, a presentation pad and easel, and black markers.
For workshops, the same materials along with a pencil and paper for the students.
Josh brings his laptop and everything else needed for the presentation.
What grade levels are the assemblies suitable for?
Assemblies are designed for students in grades K–6. For elementary schools, I recommend separate assemblies for younger (K–2) and older (3–6) students whenever possible, so the presentation can be tailored to each age group.
The Make a Comic Together workshop is designed for grades 3 and up.
How many students can participate?
Assemblies can accommodate larger groups of students.
Make a Comic Together workshops are suitable for groups of up to 75 students, as long as there is enough table space for everyone to work.
It can be fun to separate Workshops into entire grade levels.
How long is a typical school visit?
Individual assemblies are approximately 45 minutes. Workshops are an hour. Schools can also schedule multiple sessions or a full-day visit with a combination of assemblies and workshops.
Will there be live drawing during the visit?
Absolutely! Every visit includes live cartooning with the students. Characters and drawings created during the presentation don’t go home with Josh—they’re given to students and the school as souvenirs from the day.
What do students need for the Make a Comic Together workshop?
Just a pencil, paper, and their imagination! No special art supplies or drawing experience are needed. The workshop is designed to show students that anyone can make comics and tell stories with pictures.
Do students need to know how to draw?
Not at all! One of the big ideas behind the workshops is that everyone can make comics. We use simple drawings—even stick figures—to focus on characters, storytelling, and having fun creating something of your own.
Can we combine an assembly and a workshop?
Yes! Visits can be customized to fit your school’s schedule. You can book a single assembly or workshop, two back-to-back sessions, or a full-day visit with a mix of assemblies and hands-on workshops.
How much does a school visit cost?
Pricing depends on the type of visit and number of presentations or workshops scheduled. Get in touch with a little information about your school and what you’re looking for, and I’ll be happy to send you pricing and availability.
Where are school visits available?
I am based in Los Angeles and available for school visits throughout Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties.
For visits outside of that range, additional costs will incur, but I am absolutely happy to work out arrangements.
About Josh
Josh Smeaton is a Los Angeles-based cartoonist and author who has been drawing comics for as long as he can remember.
He’s the co-creator and publisher of Bangarang, a comics magazine created especially for kids, featuring original comics from cartoonists around the world. He’s also the creator of the upcoming graphic novel Woodland Hills.
Josh believes comics can be a gateway to lifelong reading—and that every kid has stories worth telling. His school visits are all about getting kids excited to read, create, and share stories of their own.
Bring Josh to Your School!
Interested in an assembly, cartooning workshop, or full-day school visit?
Tell me a little about your school and what you’re looking for, and I’ll get back to you personally with availability, pricing, and details.