I’ve had the pleasure of spending the last six years teaching elementary kids, big and small, as a substitute teacher. People ask me why I sub. Sure, there are occasional headaches and sometimes it can be stressful. But the reason I do it is simple: The Kids! They make me laugh! They have no filter, and they always come up with an observation you would never hear from an adult. That’s why I get up every morning and go back for more, even if they do wipe me out sometimes.
And I make a comic about it! Mister G Kids is a daily webcomic that updates at midnight Greenwich Mean Time. Who writes the jokes? The kids! I have collected years worth of authentic quotes from real students – incidental, off-handed throwaways to them, but to me they are gems – no Hollywood screenwriter could ever come up with this stuff! I plan to continue the regular publishing schedule through the summer and winter breaks.
In addition to the typical content you regularly find on Mister G Kids, I have begun to do a special weekly comic called Epic Friday. These are comics that require a little more time and spark a bit more visual interest. I’ve also started using these Friday slots to tap into my own childhood memories for funny episodes. Readers have been enjoying these, but if you ever feel like I’m straying too far from the primary mission of the comic, feel free to drop a line and tell me to get back on track!
At least for the summer, I will also be posting what I call Weekend Kids. These are simply fun little posts for the casual friend who chances by. The posts might be a draft, a sketch, a study, an episode from another comic series, or even a contest to create a caption! The idea of Weekend Kids is that if you are not on the internet on the weekends you won’t miss any important Mister G Kids comics or storylines, but if you do stop by, you’ll be rewarded with a little something silly, cool or random!
I never portray a particular child’s real-life appearance in a comic. All the characters in my comics are hybrid fictionalizations of all the kids I’ve ever met. I always change the names and alter any quotes that would identify a real child in any way. Protecting the identity and safety of children at all times is my number one priority both inside and outside of the classroom.
If you like my style, please also check out the umbrella site from which this blog spun off -My Black Dad – a collaborative responsorial art blog with my friend Mike. You may also enjoy these other side-comic-projects in various states of development. If you’re a kid, please don’t visit the comics you know your parents wouldn’t want you to read!
As an elementary substitute teacher of too many years to mention, I really value what you are doing. The kids really are the best part of the job. They say the most amazing things and if you don’t write it down when it happens, well, you miss great opportunities to remember how brilliant they are. Thanks for your art and your caring work with children!
thank you so much for this great comment. the kids don’t even realize how brilliant they are. parents are so busy raising their kids, and teachers can be overwhelmed too, but i think we have just those few extra seconds to write down a gem on a post-it. but every day they say stuff i don’t even write down that is too cute. this is just the cream of the crop, the stuff that is so great it stops me in my tracks!
I’m a kindergarten teacher and it does my heart good to see your comics – they wrap up why I’m doing this… although I don’t feel like school is my vocation. I love your style, it fits the topic so great! Will love to see more!
that’s such a nice thing to say – thanks! i agree, it warms your heart to hear these cute things from kids. there will be lots more! check for updates every weekday!
Matt: Regina Connolly from Pitt sent me the link to these cartoons. They are amazing and provided much need catharsis on a hectic day! Kudos. And, especially at this time of year, I’ll admit that the line “Where’s. My. Peeps. At?” runs through my head. And actually that’s what our Theatre department calls its regular weekly calendar of classes and events. So, FYI: you’re in the ether. Best of luck with all things and hope you are well.
Isn’t that all one can ask? To be in the ether after we’re gone? Haha, I can remember a silly time when there was a little yes/no dial in the dept. office that showed whether Joanne Zerdy and me were dating at that moment. Over 10 years ago. Damn. Where did the time go? But that’s a kind of being in the ether that I wasn’t very proud of. However, if my baby peep left a lasting impression, in that case it’s good ether. Well, listen my man, I am so glad you read the cartoons and that they made you feel good. I’m trying to approach this project from a whole new angle, and the energy is all positive. The kids, the colors, the words… all good stuff that comes from a good place, no judgement, no cynicism. It’s a big change for me comic-wise lol! Thanks again, hope you’re doing very well.
Some of these are just too cute, keep it up mate! I’m at uni at the moment (do you guys in the US call it college?) but I’d love to be a primary school teacher when I’ve graduated. I’ve been told it involves a lot of boring work outside the classroom – marking, lesson planning etc. – but I’m sure it’d be so worth it not just for moments like these, but for the opportunity to have a real positive impact on the kids I’d be teaching
university or college, yeah. teaching is a calling, i guess. but i’m a substitute so i don’t have to do any boring paperwork! i’m like a grandparent – i spend all my time with the kids. thanks for checking it out and keep checking back!
Great blog and cartoons. I started off way back in the Fifties as a cartoonist and worked on various comics (one’s just celebrated 75 yrs but now departing) and as to kids – well they have a unique and transient way of looking and discovering their new world. I look back fondly on thoses times when perhaps both we and the world were different.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Kids can offer us a window on truth that adults have lost, I think. Congratulations on your long career!
This is the coolest blog! thanks for visiting mine
Coincidentally, this Sunday, my nephew turned 1, and I gifted him a box of squeezy cubes with numbers and animals. in the box, there was a booklet of the random things children say. My sis in law began reading them to me, they were cute and hilarious and wise, simultaneously. Then i said to her, “you know, you should write down the things that Sofia says and create a little book of quotes.” My niece will be 4 in September.
Thank you! That was a great gift! Yes, the things kids say are the slipperiest minnows ever. If you don’t write it down immediately, it gets away from you and it’s hard to remember because you are so busy moving to the next frantic moment with them! But if you can get it down, it’s always worth it Thanks again
I love your comics they are adorable.. Reminds me of every child in my life. Cute and hilarious.. I was wondering if I could use one of your comics on my Anti-bullying blog.. Thank you
mr. g, thanks for reading my blog. otherwise i would of never found your wicked comics. i would love to have them up in my home… well once the kids grow up in their head.
oh wow, thanks for liking my post … i probably would never have come across your blog, or at least not for awhile. love it, following now and can’t wait to sift through your art and humor:)
Hi,
I’ve been following your comics and find them brilliant. The humour is fantastic! I’m especially intrigued with your style and wanted to know if it is digital or if it was all done by hand? It is looks amazing.
I’ll be sure to keep reading.
Thank you for stopping by and checking out my post on my son’s crayon fun. It is so true the things that kids can say are like I filtered golden nuggets . I am discovering this as my is becoming verbal at 5-1/2. My personal favourite of his is……”elbow juice.”
Johnny was 3-1/2 when he was diagnosed with Autism and a week before he began to start saying some words again. Mama, Dada, orange, juice, and his favourite part of the body….elbow. As part of the diagnosis blood tests needed to be done for genetic testing and overall health. Can you see where I am going with this? We had to do the blood tests at the children’s hospital and was super upsetting for him but afterwards he pointed to the bandage over his elbow with tears “elbow juice.” For many weeks later he would check friends and family members elbows and point at their veins and say “elbow juice.”
Thank you so much for stopping by and liking Montessori! I really appreciate it.
Your illustrations are incredible. Looking forward to exploring more of your blog.
All the best!
thank you. elementary or primary is a mostly female enterprise, so it’s great to be male there because i get a kind of psychological automatic authority because i’m more like a dad than a mom. moms nurture and dads get you in trouble, so that’s good for me for keeping order!
Wow! I’m so glad I found you. I love your artwork. You have an awesome talent. And thank goodness for those kids…endless material! I’m looking forward to seeing more.
I really like what I’m seeing. I think it would be great to teach kids to draw comics! I used to teach after I graduated from college. It really taught me so much!
nice to meet you matt! checking in on you after you checked in on me – dig yer ‘theme’ aaaannnnnd yer work…i’m off to press the ‘follow’ button…be well, frankie
my pleasure! yes, i am so old school, i use real paper and pencils! i know its crazy, but i love colors. i love skittles, too. no surprise there. and smarties!
[...] Mrs Smith All About Manners Bucket List Publications On The Fence Words for JP Females United Blog Mister G Kids Inspiration Energy Have fun With It A Penny For Your Thoughts 40inmy40th Lady in the House What I [...]
Kids most certainly do say (and do) the craziest things! We’ve got 8 grandchildren and my husband teaches English as a second language to all ages (preschool through adult). So we’ve got quite a collection too! Thanks for visiting my blog!
Reading your blog has inspired me to continue writing, so I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
The rules for receiving this award are:
1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.
March 29th, 2012 at 4:58 am
As an elementary substitute teacher of too many years to mention, I really value what you are doing. The kids really are the best part of the job. They say the most amazing things and if you don’t write it down when it happens, well, you miss great opportunities to remember how brilliant they are. Thanks for your art and your caring work with children!
March 29th, 2012 at 5:29 am
thank you so much for this great comment. the kids don’t even realize how brilliant they are. parents are so busy raising their kids, and teachers can be overwhelmed too, but i think we have just those few extra seconds to write down a gem on a post-it. but every day they say stuff i don’t even write down that is too cute. this is just the cream of the crop, the stuff that is so great it stops me in my tracks!
March 29th, 2012 at 6:43 am
I’m a kindergarten teacher and it does my heart good to see your comics – they wrap up why I’m doing this… although I don’t feel like school is my vocation. I love your style, it fits the topic so great! Will love to see more!
March 29th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
that’s such a nice thing to say – thanks! i agree, it warms your heart to hear these cute things from kids. there will be lots more! check for updates every weekday!
April 5th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
My friend has started teaching recently , she has an endless collection of funny and Innocent tales to tell. I like your blog
April 6th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Thank you. Yes, they say too many things to write down!!
April 10th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
Matt: Regina Connolly from Pitt sent me the link to these cartoons. They are amazing and provided much need catharsis on a hectic day! Kudos. And, especially at this time of year, I’ll admit that the line “Where’s. My. Peeps. At?” runs through my head. And actually that’s what our Theatre department calls its regular weekly calendar of classes and events. So, FYI: you’re in the ether. Best of luck with all things and hope you are well.
April 11th, 2012 at 1:54 am
Isn’t that all one can ask? To be in the ether after we’re gone? Haha, I can remember a silly time when there was a little yes/no dial in the dept. office that showed whether Joanne Zerdy and me were dating at that moment. Over 10 years ago. Damn. Where did the time go? But that’s a kind of being in the ether that I wasn’t very proud of. However, if my baby peep left a lasting impression, in that case it’s good ether.
Well, listen my man, I am so glad you read the cartoons and that they made you feel good. I’m trying to approach this project from a whole new angle, and the energy is all positive. The kids, the colors, the words… all good stuff that comes from a good place, no judgement, no cynicism. It’s a big change for me comic-wise lol! Thanks again, hope you’re doing very well.
April 11th, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Some of these are just too cute, keep it up mate! I’m at uni at the moment (do you guys in the US call it college?) but I’d love to be a primary school teacher when I’ve graduated. I’ve been told it involves a lot of boring work outside the classroom – marking, lesson planning etc. – but I’m sure it’d be so worth it not just for moments like these, but for the opportunity to have a real positive impact on the kids I’d be teaching
April 11th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
university or college, yeah. teaching is a calling, i guess. but i’m a substitute so i don’t have to do any boring paperwork! i’m like a grandparent – i spend all my time with the kids. thanks for checking it out and keep checking back!
May 17th, 2012 at 7:08 pm
Hi Matt, I’m dropping by to let you know that I have nominated you for the Sunshine Award for the warmth and sweetness emanating from Mister G Kids! Feel free to do with it what you will. Happy blogging
http://thisislemonade.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/making-lemonade-together/
May 17th, 2012 at 11:09 pm
Why thank you friend! How does it work?
May 31st, 2012 at 2:16 am
Oh, the things these kids say! They’re the best. Keep it up! and thanks for stopping by my blog.
May 31st, 2012 at 3:03 am
thanks for your comment! and anytime – my pleasure!
July 5th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
i like the concept too…keep it up.http://www.barshutter.com
August 21st, 2012 at 7:10 pm
Great blog and cartoons. I started off way back in the Fifties as a cartoonist and worked on various comics (one’s just celebrated 75 yrs but now departing) and as to kids – well they have a unique and transient way of looking and discovering their new world. I look back fondly on thoses times when perhaps both we and the world were different.
August 21st, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. Kids can offer us a window on truth that adults have lost, I think. Congratulations on your long career!
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:02 am
This is the coolest blog! thanks for visiting mine
Coincidentally, this Sunday, my nephew turned 1, and I gifted him a box of squeezy cubes with numbers and animals. in the box, there was a booklet of the random things children say. My sis in law began reading them to me, they were cute and hilarious and wise, simultaneously. Then i said to her, “you know, you should write down the things that Sofia says and create a little book of quotes.” My niece will be 4 in September.
Your blog reminded me of this weekend. I love it!
August 22nd, 2012 at 3:06 am
Thank you! That was a great gift! Yes, the things kids say are the slipperiest minnows ever. If you don’t write it down immediately, it gets away from you and it’s hard to remember because you are so busy moving to the next frantic moment with them! But if you can get it down, it’s always worth it
Thanks again
August 29th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
I love your comics they are adorable.. Reminds me of every child in my life. Cute and hilarious.. I was wondering if I could use one of your comics on my Anti-bullying blog.. Thank you
August 29th, 2012 at 11:03 pm
Hi! Thanks, glad you enjoy them. As long as you show my byline and clicking on the image links back to my blog, that would be fine
October 3rd, 2012 at 5:29 am
mr. g, thanks for reading my blog. otherwise i would of never found your wicked comics. i would love to have them up in my home… well once the kids grow up in their head.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:50 am
Lol, thank you!
November 3rd, 2012 at 1:25 am
Your cartoons and other posts are always fantastic, and so I’ve nominated you for the Inspring Blogger Award. You can check out the detail here: http://thematticuskingdom.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/cloud-nine/
November 3rd, 2012 at 9:52 pm
Thank you so much! That is very sweet of you!!!
December 21st, 2012 at 1:04 am
Thanks for liking my post, I like that! I’m also known as Mr G in certain circles.
December 21st, 2012 at 1:19 am
Lol, there are a lot of us. There’s only 26 letters to choose from after all! My pleasure
January 4th, 2013 at 1:37 am
Thank you for liking my post! Looking forward to seeing your other comics in the future!
January 4th, 2013 at 2:24 am
Thank you! I enjoyed it!
January 9th, 2013 at 4:26 am
oh wow, thanks for liking my post … i probably would never have come across your blog, or at least not for awhile. love it, following now and can’t wait to sift through your art and humor:)
January 9th, 2013 at 4:29 am
Thank you so much! This is why I sift through other folks stuff! To find bloggers like you!
January 9th, 2013 at 4:50 am
thanks, i did wordpress years ago, and i feel very out of the loop about getting things setup on my page, feel like i need an instruction manual!
January 9th, 2013 at 4:55 am
It’s an interesting balance of user-friendliness for beginners and welcoming folks who are advanced users that know coding.
January 10th, 2013 at 1:25 am
Sometimes I love my sub more than the teachers. I love kids too.
January 10th, 2013 at 1:37 am
Haha! Thanks for your comment
January 10th, 2013 at 6:24 am
Loving your style. Thanks for finding me. I teach 9 to 13 year olds so I know what you mean about having fun at your job.
January 10th, 2013 at 7:41 am
So cool! We have a good job, huh? Little kids are the best! Thanks for checking it out!
January 12th, 2013 at 2:50 am
I absolutely adore your comics and always look forward to seeing them, they are fantastic!
I have nominated you for ‘The One Lovely Blog Award + The Very Inspiring Blogger Award!’
More details can be found here: http://gegallas.wordpress.com/2013/01/10/the-one-lovely-blog-award-the-very-inspiring-blogger-award/
Very much looking forward to seeing your next comics!
January 12th, 2013 at 7:27 pm
That was very sweet of you – thanks!
January 12th, 2013 at 8:59 pm
No problem!
January 24th, 2013 at 3:16 am
Mister G Kids is now in my blogroll!
January 24th, 2013 at 4:48 am
Thank you! Following you!
January 25th, 2013 at 5:43 am
Help stop cancer for rockstar ronans family https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/light-white-house-gold-month-september-honor-pediatric-cancer-fighters-and-bring-light-cause/syV6M6wX
January 25th, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Hi,
I’ve been following your comics and find them brilliant. The humour is fantastic! I’m especially intrigued with your style and wanted to know if it is digital or if it was all done by hand? It is looks amazing.
I’ll be sure to keep reading.
January 26th, 2013 at 3:59 am
Thanks! It is all by hand – I’m an analog man!
January 30th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
I had to add you to my resources page!
January 31st, 2013 at 2:38 am
I appreciate it! I love teaching and drawing so, hey, this is what I do – thanks for enjoying it!
February 1st, 2013 at 4:07 pm
You’re welcome
.
February 6th, 2013 at 1:00 am
Thank you for stopping by and checking out my post on my son’s crayon fun. It is so true the things that kids can say are like I filtered golden nuggets
. I am discovering this as my is becoming verbal at 5-1/2. My personal favourite of his is……”elbow juice.”
February 6th, 2013 at 1:34 am
oh that’s so cool! what does he mean by it? and thanks for checking out my stuff too
February 6th, 2013 at 2:58 am
Johnny was 3-1/2 when he was diagnosed with Autism and a week before he began to start saying some words again. Mama, Dada, orange, juice, and his favourite part of the body….elbow. As part of the diagnosis blood tests needed to be done for genetic testing and overall health. Can you see where I am going with this? We had to do the blood tests at the children’s hospital and was super upsetting for him but afterwards he pointed to the bandage over his elbow with tears “elbow juice.” For many weeks later he would check friends and family members elbows and point at their veins and say “elbow juice.”
February 6th, 2013 at 3:17 am
that’s amazing. i’m glad to have that story on my blog! thank you!
February 8th, 2013 at 2:00 am
Thank you so much for stopping by and liking Montessori! I really appreciate it.
Your illustrations are incredible. Looking forward to exploring more of your blog.
All the best!
February 8th, 2013 at 3:03 am
Hey thanks! I have a lot of respect for Montessori!
February 9th, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Thank you so much for checking out my gallery and watching my blog
February 10th, 2013 at 5:41 pm
My pleasure!
February 12th, 2013 at 1:12 am
Thanks for the like. Your cartoons are excellent, and great blog overall. Regards, Pete, UK.
February 12th, 2013 at 1:14 am
Thanks Pete! I appreciate you stopping by. Following ya!
February 13th, 2013 at 10:37 am
Hi, I’ve nominated your blog for the Liebster Award. To accept or just to view the nominations see http://iarxiv.com/2013/02/13/liebster-award/
iarXiv
February 13th, 2013 at 11:12 pm
Yay thank you I am grateful!
February 25th, 2013 at 12:10 am
Thanks for liking my Bigfoot doodle!
February 25th, 2013 at 12:15 am
sure! thanks for visiting!
March 15th, 2013 at 4:22 am
Thanks for visiting Personal Hold Music. I like your stuff. It’s very freeing. The “we just kids coloring” helped make my bad day a whole lot better.
March 15th, 2013 at 4:28 am
Oh that makes me so happy to hear
keep up the good work too!
March 21st, 2013 at 11:19 pm
So great to see a male teacher out there! Not sure what it’s like in the states, but in Australia there just aren’t enough male teachers.
A good friend of mine is a teacher and I always look forward to hearing about the latest her students have said.
Great illustrations too, what a nice way to remember all their antics.
March 22nd, 2013 at 12:45 am
thank you. elementary or primary is a mostly female enterprise, so it’s great to be male there because i get a kind of psychological automatic authority because i’m more like a dad than a mom. moms nurture and dads get you in trouble, so that’s good for me for keeping order!
March 25th, 2013 at 12:32 am
Love your style and warm humor. Kids really are the greatest! Thanks for following my blog. I’ll have you on my blog roll soon.
March 25th, 2013 at 12:37 am
Thank you! Great work to you too!
March 25th, 2013 at 12:43 am
Wow! I’m so glad I found you. I love your artwork. You have an awesome talent. And thank goodness for those kids…endless material! I’m looking forward to seeing more.
March 25th, 2013 at 12:45 am
thank you so much! yes, the kids are a treasure because i don’t have to write the jokes!
March 27th, 2013 at 9:51 pm
I really like what I’m seeing. I think it would be great to teach kids to draw comics! I used to teach after I graduated from college. It really taught me so much!
March 27th, 2013 at 10:35 pm
Any time I have a chance to show kids anything about art, I do. Thank you, I love doing this.
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:07 am
Thanks for stopping by! I was scrolling through and I love your comics!! They are amazing!
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:10 am
Thank you! Following back! <3
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:36 am
nice to meet you matt! checking in on you after you checked in on me – dig yer ‘theme’
aaaannnnnd yer work…i’m off to press the ‘follow’ button…be well, frankie
April 2nd, 2013 at 1:50 am
thanks frankie! your comment made me laugh! and following back!
April 8th, 2013 at 1:29 am
Wow! Dude. You’re an incredible cartoonist, and a webcomic in colour? I love it. Thanks for the like, I’m gonna be coming back here a lot more…
April 8th, 2013 at 1:35 am
my pleasure! yes, i am so old school, i use real paper and pencils! i know its crazy, but i love colors. i love skittles, too. no surprise there. and smarties!
April 10th, 2013 at 2:18 pm
[...] Mrs Smith All About Manners Bucket List Publications On The Fence Words for JP Females United Blog Mister G Kids Inspiration Energy Have fun With It A Penny For Your Thoughts 40inmy40th Lady in the House What I [...]
April 14th, 2013 at 1:20 am
I just nominated you for the Most Versatile Blogger Award! Here is a link to the nomination on my page: http://todaysdose.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/most-versatile-blogger-award/
April 14th, 2013 at 11:41 pm
Yay thanks!
April 16th, 2013 at 10:28 am
Kids most certainly do say (and do) the craziest things! We’ve got 8 grandchildren and my husband teaches English as a second language to all ages (preschool through adult). So we’ve got quite a collection too! Thanks for visiting my blog!
April 17th, 2013 at 1:56 am
“A collection” – I like that! The more the merrier, but also the more unpredictable and like a chaos machine it is!
April 17th, 2013 at 7:21 am
Unpredictable, for sure!
April 19th, 2013 at 10:48 am
I love your stuff so much, I think I could stay here all day …. but sadly I have to go to work. I’ll be back soon
April 22nd, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Thank you! See you soon!
May 13th, 2013 at 5:26 pm
Reading your blog has inspired me to continue writing, so I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award!
The rules for receiving this award are:
1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.
May 14th, 2013 at 12:16 am
OMG, that’s so much work! And I’m so lazy and fat!
Thank you for the award!!! <3