The Create a Comic Project (CCP) is a youth literacy program and webcomic created by John Baird. The program uses comics, many taken from the Internet, to encourage children to write their own narratives.[1][2] The program began in November 2006 at the main branch of the New Haven Free Public Library as an after-school program.[3] The project has since worked with several other groups, including the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, Braddock Carnegie Library, and the Pittsburgh YMCA.[4][5][6] Baird has presented the results of his work on the project at several conventions and conferences, including South by Southwest Interactive[7] and SXSWedu.[8] The project has been praised for its work in engaging children in learning by Marjorie Scardino, CEO of Pearson,[9] Professor Mirta Ojito of Columbia University,[10] and Arne Duncan, the US Secretary of Education.[11]
The webcomic side of the project posts comics made by the children. The website was launched 4 January 2007.[12] Archives of the Taiwan comics, labeled "Create a Comic Project ROC" or "CCP Version 1.0", go from 9 July 2005[13] through 28 November 2006.[14] Comics generated in America, labeled "CCP Version 2.0", were first posted 29 November 2006[15] to present.