Does your child want to see pictures as well as words in their books? Embrace it! It’s now widely accepted by teachers and librarians that comic books (also known as graphic novels) are a great way to get kids into reading and develop their vocabulary.
SheKnows spoke to a third-grade teacher who couldn’t agree more. “Anything that motivates children to read should be accepted — no, more than that… celebrated,” she said. “Some comic books have really powerful messages, while others are simply fun to read. It doesn’t matter. Whatever your child is interested in, whether it’s superheroes or history, if they’re drawn to stories that use words and pictures, it should be encouraged.”
Comic books may appeal to “reluctant readers” in particular — those kids who aren’t interested in reading. Those who favor gaming or television can quickly become interested in a graphic novel, as the visual element appeals to them.
May 7 is Free Comic Book Day, when participating comic book specialty shops across North America and around the world give away comic books absolutely free to anyone who comes into their shops. The perfect chance to introduce your kids to the wonderful world of comic books. Not sure where to start? Here are some comic books kids will love… even if they’re still at the board book stage!
‘I’m Grumpy’
The I’m Grumpy board book by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm isn’t just a great introduction to comic books for younger readers; it’s also an introduction to the impact emotions can have on those around you. Awww. (Amazon; $7)
‘Sonic The Hedgehog Archives Volume 0’
Did you know Sonic the Hedgehog has had the most successful comic book career of all video game heroes? The little blue spike ball in sneakers was first portrayed in comic book form in 1993, and his very first, hard-to-find comic book adventures have been reprinted in a special edition, Sonic the Hedgehog Archives Volume 0: The Beginning. (Amazon; $8)
‘Phoebe and Her Unicorn’
A friendship between an awkward 9-year-old girl and her unicorn? We’re sold. Not only that — Dana Simpson’s Phoebe and Her Unicorn has been described as the “best comic strip to come along since Calvin and Hobbes.” (Amazon; $9)
‘The Avengers Storybook Collection’
Marvel’s The Avengers Storybook Collection is the ideal way to encourage your own little superhero to read more, bringing to life through words and pictures the adventures of Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow et al. (Amazon; $9)
‘Inside Out Cinestory’
Disney’s Inside Out Cinestory uses the hit animated movie’s original screenplay and state-of-the-art digital technology to capture stills from the film, retelling the story of 11-year-old Riley and her emotions — Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness — as a unique graphic novel experience. (Amazon; $10)
Simpsons Comics ‘Colossal Compendium’
If your kids love watching The Simpsons, chances are they’ll love reading about them. The Simpsons Comics Colossal Compendium will transport them to Springfield without being glued to a TV screen. (Amazon; $12)
‘Friday Barnes, Girl Detective’
Forget the kids, we want to read about Friday Barnes, a “girl genius” who solves a bank robbery and uses the reward money to send herself to a top boarding school — where she finds herself with a whole lot more crime to investigate. Friday Barnes, Girl Detective is written by R.A. Spratt and also has old-school black-and-white art throughout, courtesy of Phil Gosier. (Amazon; $8)
‘My Little Pony, Friendship Is Magic’
In My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack and all the other citizens of Ponyville have an unexpected adventure. (Amazon; $16)
‘Roller Girl’
Roller Girl, a The New York Times bestseller about friendship and how to survive junior high, is the graphic novel debut from real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson. It’s coming-of-age in comic book form and will strike a chord with all junior high students. (Amazon; $8)
‘Star Wars Jedi Academy’
Star Wars: Jedi Academy comes from The New York Times bestselling author/illustrator Jeffrey Brown. Using one boy’s comics, journal entries, letters, doodles and newspaper clippings, Brown manages to capture all that is weird, wonderful and frustrating about middle school — but set in a galaxy far, far away. (Amazon; $8)
‘Snoopy Cowabunga!’
For many of us, nothing says “comic book” more than Charles Schulz’s Peanuts series, which started in the funny pages in 1950 and is still loved by all generations, partly due to 2015’s The Peanut Movie. Equal parts funny and heart-warming, no junior comic book fan should go through life without getting to know Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts posse. (Amazon; $10)
‘The Mutts Diaries’
The award-winning Mutts characters have won their creator, Patrick McDonnell, several awards, including the National Cartoonists Society’s highest honor, The Reuben, for Cartoonist of the Year. Kids will fall in love with the unlikely friendship between Earl the dog and Mooch the cat in The Mutts Diaries. (Amazon; $10)
‘The Last Kids On Earth’
Aimed at middle-grade readers, Max Brallier and Douglas Holgate’s The Last Kids on Earth is a post-apocalyptic graphic novel featuring 13-year-old Jack Sullivan who forms a team of his buddies and pets to battle hordes of Zombies, Winged Wretches, Vine Thingies and a monster known only as Blarg. (Amazon; $9)
‘Moby Dick’
Comic books can introduce young readers to classic literature, using the comic strip format to break down tales that would be too weighty for them in their traditional form. Herman Melville’s Moby Dick tells the story of a captain’s obsession with revenge against the Great White Whale that took his leg. (Amazon; $10)
‘Smile’
Any pre-teen who has had to deal with friend troubles, boy drama or braces will find Smile’s protagonist Raina (who just wants to be an ordinary sixth grader) instantly relatable. Author/illustrator Raina Telgemeier’s other graphic memoir Sisters is equally awesome. (Amazon; $9)
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