As kids learn to read, they often graduate from browsing picture books to reading text. But just because they start reading novels doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy seeing a story that’s told through images as well as words. Graphic novels can be a great way to build their reading skills while also enjoying the artistic elements that make reading fun. Betty Bayer, owner of Betty’s Books in Webster Groves, has suggestions for graphic novels that kids of different age ranges will enjoy reading.
Early readers
Bayer’s recommendation: Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea
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By Ben Clanton
Bayer says: “It’s about a really happy-go-lucky narwhal who makes an unlikely friend in a crabby jellyfish. There are a lot of these animal-pairing comics for young kids, but this is one of the standouts of that category. The narwhal and the jellyfish go on little adventures, and in between chapters, there are sections with facts about sea animals. So it’s pretty fun and silly, but not crude. I read it with my daughter, who just turned 5. They’re also great for kids who are just starting to read independently, and even younger kids, too.”
Ages 8–12
Bayer’s recommendation: Science Comics: Cars: Engines That Move You
By Dan Zettwoch
Bayer says: “This one is by a local comics creator who lives in St. Louis. The series has all different topics, like robots and drones, the solar system, and more. The science in it is accurate and real, but the stories are fun. Dan’s art is amazing and detailed, and he’s really great at diagramming. It’s so beautiful to look at that it doesn’t even feel like you’re learning. Even for someone who’s not particularly interested in cars, it’s great. And then we have kids that are interested in cars who come in and say, ‘Oh, my gosh! This is amazing!’”
Teens
Bayer’s recommendation: Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American
By Laura Gao
Bayer says: “This one is pretty new. It came out a couple of weeks ago. It’s about a teenage girl who emigrated from Wuhan, China, to Texas. No one had heard of Wuhan for the first few years she was living there. But in 2020, COVID-19 made everyone aware of Wuhan. It sounds serious, but it’s actually a funny story. Her voice is amusing and entertaining and, overall, it’s a moving coming-of-age story. It gets at the central question of a lot of young adult stories, which is: Who am I? I think it will be up for a lot of awards this next season.”
