Grand Avenue

By Mike Thompson

"Grand Avenue" stars Kate Macfarlane, an avid sports fan who power walks to stay in shape. Not your typical cookie-baking granny, Grandma Kate has her hands full with her terrific twosome, who are best buddies even though their personalities clash. Gabby is an ambitious, newspaper-reading little girl who plans to become a billionaire before she's 30. Her brother Michael is a more sensitive soul who prefers riding his skateboard or performing scenes from Shakespeare to just about anything else.

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A cartoon scene featuring a character sitting in a striped armchair, expressing a humorous sentiment about learning, while a window with pink curtains is visible in the background. The dialogue reflects a light-hearted conversation about education and personal growth.

A comic strip featuring a character in a green checked shirt asking about the difference between the internet and a library, highlighting the contrast between digital and physical information sources.

A humorous cartoon featuring two children discussing abilities and lunch plans, with one expressing doubt about the other's skills while the other playfully threatens to inform their grandmother not to make lunch.

A cartoon depicting a house and trees, illustrating the concept of learning from past mistakes while humorously acknowledging that people still make foolish choices. The left panel shows a house with text about doing dumb things and growing wiser, while the right panel features trees with a continuation of the theme.

Cartoon depicting an elderly woman expressing fatigue while holding a duster, with a contrasting scene of a man in bed observing a crescent moon outside. The comic humorously illustrates the theme of tiredness and nighttime reflections.

Cartoon depicting a person standing beside a decorated Christmas tree with a star on top, holding a gift. The character appears to be making a humorous remark about the holiday season.

A comic strip depicting a humorous conversation about neglecting post-Christmas cleaning, featuring a character expressing concern about the mess and another character acknowledging their laziness regarding housecleaning. The scene includes colorful backgrounds and distinct character designs.

A comic strip featuring an elderly woman struggling to watch a game on her computer. In the first panel, she expresses frustration with the game not being on. The second panel shows her seated and unable to watch, while the third panel reveals her standing and attempting to adjust her position for a better view. The final panel highlights her humorous realization about the situation.

A humorous comic strip depicting a conversation between a grandmother and her grandson about cleaning responsibilities, highlighting the generational differences in household chores and the grandson's reluctance to learn.

Comic strip featuring two children discussing Mrs. Sanders while standing by a fence. One child suggests being nice to her, despite previously expressing dislike, while the other child mentions her plastic garden gnomes. The comic captures a humorous exchange about neighborhood dynamics and perceptions.

About Mike Thompson

A four-time Pulitzer finalist, Mike Thompson is a two-time winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ national award for cartooning, as well as a winner of the Robert F. Kennedy award for social justice journalism, the Overseas Press Club Award, the National Press Foundation Award, the National Headliner Award, the Scripps Howard Award, and the Association for Women in Communications' Clarion Award.

Cast

Two cartoon characters sitting on the floor playing a board game, with glasses of beer nearby, in a playful and relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for the

Gabby and Michael Macfarlane

These 6-year-old fraternal twins and best friends are being raised by their grandmother. Gabby is a savvy, ambitious, pigtailed girl who plans to be a billionaire by age 30. Michael is sensitive, artistic, and enjoys daydreaming, drawing, and performing Shakespeare. The twins keep Grandma on her toes and readers laughing.

Cartoon illustration of a smiling older woman with glasses, wearing a green striped sweater, featured on the

Grandma Kate Macfarlane

Grandma Kate is an avid sports fan who power walks to stay in shape and solves crossword puzzles to stay sharp. She’s needs every bit of energy she has to keep up with parenting the second time around. Kate has strong opinions about the way she wants the kids to behave—but the twins put one over on her once in a while.

Cartoon illustration of a playful golden dog with a wagging tail and a happy expression, set against a circular white background.

Small, cute, and freckled, P.J. is Gabby and Michael’s best friend—besides each other.

The most mischievous Macfarlane of all! Rudy is the hyperactive family dog who’s always trying to outsmart his human housemates.

Illustration of a cheerful cartoon character with glasses and a plaid shirt, featured on the

Mr. Damikolas (Mr. D.)

The twins’ teacher loves his job and is passionate about his lesson plans and passing on his love of learning. Mr. D. has a soft spot for the twins, although he takes no guff from his class or the bureaucracy in the public school system. In his free time, he can be found reading comic books and watching "Star Trek."

Illustration of a young boy with short blonde hair wearing a red and white striped shirt, standing with a curious expression, featured on the

P.J.

Small, cute, and freckled, P.J. is Gabby and Michael’s best friend—besides each other.

Cartoon illustration of two animated dogs with pink bows, expressing frustration or annoyance, featured on the Grand Avenue page.

Evil Yorkies

This pair of Yorkies is diabolically evil and can always be found on guard by their living room window, scheming to humiliate and annoy all who dare to pass by.

Cartoon character with a bald head and sunglasses, looking surprised or curious, featured on the

The Macfarlanes’ good-natured neighbor. The kids love to talk to Ed, and he loves to listen and dispense philosophical advice, usually while gardening.

Cartoon character with messy hair and glasses wearing a striped green shirt, featured on the

Mr. Barnaby

The Macfarlanes’ crabby neighbor. Mr. Barnaby loves his lawn more than he loves the neighborhood kids and dogs.