Update with Photos: CBC Panels at WonderCon 2026
The CBC Graphic Novel Committee featured 3 fun panels of authors at WonderCon 2026. Check out what the moderators had to say.
Identity, Growth, and Graphic Novels
Joshua Pruett, Richard Ashley Hamilton, Michael Grover, and James Burks shared insights into their creative process and stressed the importance of stories that encourage imagination, resilience, and humor for young readers. With all four of them being dads, hilarious antics and anecdotes ensued encouraging children to be a little more wild and a little more free in their daily lives.
– Grace Sheehy, Senior Librarian of Library Resources at Mission Viejo Public Library
MODERATOR
- Grace Sheehy — Senior Librarian of Library Resources at Mission Viejo Public Library
PANELISTS
- Joshua Pruett — Phineas and Ferb: A-MAZE-Ing Creature Double Feature (Mad Cave Studios / Papercutz)
- Richard Ashley Hamilton — Leo Da Vinci: Renaissance Kid (Mad Cave Studios / Papercutz)
- Michael Grover — Jake Spooky and the Wolves Within Him (Astra Books for Young Readers / Toon Books)
- James Burks — Box Tales: Super Terrific Showtime! (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / First Second)
Family is Community: Middle-Grade Graphic Novels
Together, we discussed how stories for ages 8-12 center the importance of community and relationships, from preserving native stories to defending the planet, and how needed it is to “find your people,” especially in this day and age. We were so heartened by the response, and grateful to be in conversation with such a thoughtful kidlit community and with everyone who attended.
– Erinn Pascal, Author Stewardship Manager at PJ Library®
MODERATOR
- Erinn Pascal — Author Stewardship Manager at PJ Library®
PANELISTS
- Julie Fiveash — The Froggy Library (Levine Querido)
- Gabriel Valentin — Digital Lizards of Doom Volume 5 (Mad Cave Studios / Papercutz)
- Scott Peterson — Phineas and Ferb A-Maze-Ing Creature Double Feature (Mad Cave Studios / Papercutz)
Panels, Prose, and Personality in Graphic Novels
This panel took a deeper look into the ways life influences art. Panelists shared the people and places that changed their perspectives and how to transform challenging moments into powerful prose. Throughout the talk, audience members were reminded that the best art is made when it comes from an authentic place. As Eugene Yelchin said “It’s not worth writing if it doesn’t change your life!”
– Ashley Ferguson, author of My Girlfriend the Witch (The Little Press)
MODERATOR
- Ashley Ferguson — My Girlfriend the Witch (The Little Press)
PANELISTS
- Raúl the Third — Tough Times (HarperCollins Children’s Books / Versify)
- Eugene Yelchin — I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir (Candlewick Press)
- Joey Spiotto — Max, a Little Axolotl (Scholastic / Graphix)
- Dora Wang — Pocket Peaches: Game On (Andrews McMeel)
We’d like to thank the WonderCon Programming Team, the amazing book creators and their publishers, and our awesome moderators, Grace Sheehy, Erinn Pascal, & Ashley Ferguson, for working with us to create these panels.
Learn more about the CBC Graphic Novel Committee and all we do here.
