Graphic novels are hugely popular with our students. Comic-book adaptations of the '80s series The Babysitters' Club; Smile, a "dental autobiography" by the same author; and the Lunchlady series are among the highest circulating items in our library's collection.
What is a graphic novel? Simply put, graphic novels are book-length comics. They are not just about superheroes. Graphic novels can teach about ballet, history, and mythology, and be science fiction, adventures, biographies, and folk tales. They also vary in reading level from beginner readers to the highest reading level. Manga is a sub-category of graphic novels, written in the Japanese style (the book is read from right to left, and so are the story panels. (Anime is the animated version of manga).
What are the benefits of graphic novels? Reluctant readers are very often attracted to the format. The context clues provided by the pictures are helpful to children who are struggling with decoding words. Graphic novels also provide an opportunity for kids to develop their visual thinking skills. Not only must a reader figure out what’s happening inside a panel, s/he must also figure out what is happening between the panels. Do not worry that your child will choose nothing but graphic novels. Graphic novels are often a gateway to more reading. As children can confidence in their reading, they almost always transfer their enthusiasm for reading to different formats.
In our library, I apply rigorous selection criteria to choose graphic novels for our library, and make sure that our graphic novels have an "all ages" rating for content. If your child brings home a graphic novel, what can you do to support his/her reading choice? Read alongside you child if s/he will let you. Ask her/him to tell you the story that occurs between the panels, discuss the panel shape and size. See if s/he can read a character’s emotions from his expression or postures. Get to know your child’s favorite comics!
Some of our finest writers were avid readers of comics when they were young: Ray Bradbury, Cynthia Rylant, and John Updike. Maybe your child will follow in their footsteps!
Resources for Parents:
No Flying, No Tights -- Reviews by librarians of graphic novels for kids and teens.
A Parents’ Guide to Anime
ToonBooks - great for beginning readers; the site contains activities that coordinate with these easy-to-read “indie” line of comics.
adapted from the Internet Public Library, http://www.ipl.org/div/graphicnovels/gnsSchoolsNLibs.html
No Flying, No Tights -- Reviews by librarians of graphic novels for kids and teens.
A Parents’ Guide to Anime
ToonBooks - great for beginning readers; the site contains activities that coordinate with these easy-to-read “indie” line of comics.
and Sarah Kresberg, Librarian, Allen-Stevenson School
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