Great Graphic Novels

A wonderful development in juvenile literature has been taking place since 2000, that’s the emergence of a large number of excellent graphic novels. The stories and pictures in these books is of the highest quality and the books solve a persistent problem in juvenile literature.

The problem is that until a child enters kindergarten, he or she tends to be content with picture books and board books. But, once the child begins reading, even a little bit, the “baby books” they loved a short time ago are no longer must reads at home.

Enter the graphic novel. These new books beautifully bridge the gap between a beginning reader, usually at the end of first and through the middle of second grade, and a proficient reader.

Parents and teachers want emerging readers to have success and enjoy reading. The graphic novel is wonderful because the reader need not know every word to follow the story. They can build reading skills be making inferences through the illustrations and by reading what they can.

These books also build confidence because a child can finish an entire book on his or her own and build the confidence needed to tackle more difficult reading.

It’s no wonder that some of these books have become runaway bestsellers and have been adapted to TV, movie and cartoon formats. The stories are interesting and relevant to young readers. What young boy would not identify in some way with Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid? Every girl can identify with either Bink or Gollie as they adventure through that series.

Aside from the series, there have been long form books made that incorporate the best of the graphic novel format. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a beautiful and heavy book that not only builds reading skills, it tells a wonderful story and contains literally hundreds of interesting illustrations. Brian Selznick created a masterpiece that will be a treasured book in many homes. He followed Hugo Cabret with Wonder Struck, an equally astounding achievement.

If you have or are aware of a child who does not like baby books but isn’t quite ready for dense chapter books, the books on this list are sure to hit the mark.

Please email us at admin@childrensbookstore.com if you are aware of other graphic novels that ought to be on this list.