Meet Animator Floyd Norman!
In 1956, Floyd Norman became Disney’s first African American animator. At just 21 years old, he was hired to help bring Sleeping Beauty to life—quietly breaking barriers in an industry that, up to that point, rarely reflected the diversity of its audiences.
Over the years, he went on to work on The Jungle Book, Robin Hood, and even projects at Pixar, becoming known not only for his artistic skill, but for his humor, heart, and commitment to telling stories that matter. Even into his 80s, Norman was still showing up to the studio, still animating, still inspiring.
Floyd Norman didn’t just animate characters—he animated a legacy. One that reminds us how powerful representation and storytelling can be, especially for kids who might never have seen someone like themselves in the credits before.
At Learn to Read Comics, we believe the best storytellers are the ones who create movement—on the page, in the classroom, and in young minds. Animators are visual storytellers. They turn still images into emotion. Action. Change. And much like comic book creators, they guide readers through panels, moments, and entire worlds, one frame at a time.
We believe comics are one of the most accessible forms of storytelling for kids today. They help early readers gain confidence, build literacy, and most importantly—they make reading fun. Every young reader deserves to see themselves in the stories they love, and animators and comic creators alike play a huge role in making that possible.
As we highlight Norman and other animators this month, we also highlight the power of creative careers to inspire the next generation of artists, writers, and readers. Through comics, we help kids imagine who they can become—and that journey often starts with a single panel, a single page, a single book.
👉 Help us get more comics into more classrooms and communities. Donate today or visit the link in our bio. Because literacy is power—and stories change lives.