Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular with kids, and you may be worried that your littles aren’t getting much out of them. I’m here to ease your worries and make the case for the medium. From the visual art styles to the story lines, graphic novels have more to offer than you may realize.
Reading in all forms encourages critical thinking, and fosters both cognitive and emotional development. But with today’s fast paced environments, and the instant gratification of the internet, reading text alone can feel like a slog to those not already in love with books. Enter, graphic novels, a format that can be enjoyed quickly, re-read frequently, and still pack a punch. A 2023 peer reviewed study from the Vellore Institute of Technology, says graphic novels keep new readers interested during critical periods of their development. Stories that kids can connect with and understand will help motivate them to pick up the next book while continuing to improve vocabulary, grammar, and syntax.
The beautiful color palettes, interesting illustrations, and thoughtful layouts used in graphic novels can also act as an engaging road map to reading. Gutters between panels evoke the passage of time, while the illustrations aid understanding and provide context for the accompanying text. Visual cues like arrows help young readers follow the story progression between panels and offer a visual representation of the sequence of events. Text bubbles, colors, and visuals of action scenes all help hold attention and engage readers.
So are you thoroughly convinced? Great! The library offers a variety of ways for your littles, and you, to get that graphic novel fix. We have a graphic novel and manga collection for all ages at the Handley Branch. From the juvenile section on the second floor, to the manga collection in the Teen and Tutor room, to a whole adult graphic novel collection, there’s so much to explore. If your little loves Launchpads, both Clarke and Bowman have a selection of Launchpads equipped with graphic novels and classic comic strips. Maybe e-books are more your speed? Use Libby or Hoopla to browse for great titles like Anti/Hero and Carmen Sandiego: The Fishy Treasure Caper. Speaking of Carmen Sandiego, maybe your little has another favorite character from a tv show or video game, like Hilda or Splatoon. We have those too! And what better way to get kiddos reading than with a favorite character? I hope now you can see that there is so much to gain from reading graphic novels. Enjoy!