So, you love comics, and would love to share that love with the kids in your life – sons, daughters, nieces, nephews – but can’t exactly hand over the newest issue of The Walking Dead? Luckily for you and those kids, there are some really fantastic children’s graphic novels out there that are bound to start ’em young down the road to comics fever!
Preschool & Kindergarten (Ages 4-6ish):
There is a Bird on Your Head (Elephant and Piggie series) by Mo Willems. You won’t find these books in the comics section at the bookstore, as they masquerade as run-of-the-mill beginning readers, but one glance through the pages and you’ll get it. Each page acts like a panel, with word balloons (each nicely colored to match the speaker to help the little ones follow the dialogue) and simple, yet expressive, illustrations against a white background. To top it off? These books are FUNNY. My favorites are There is a Bird on Your Head and We Are in a Book, but really, they’re all delightful.
Jack and the Box by Art Spiegelman. Yeah, that Spiegelman! In this story, Jack, a young bunny, receives a jack-in-the-box named Zack, who is very silly (and proud of it!). Bound to cause giggling!
Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith. Little Mouse hurries to dress as his mother calls him, and has all the same silly problems toddlers do in getting their clothes on the right way.
Doggie Dreams by Mike Herrod. A young boy wonders what his lazy dog dreams of, and the reader discovers it’s food, fame and heroism! Obviously!
Zoe and Robot, Let’s Pretend by Ryan Sias. Zoe wants to play pretend, but her friend Robot can’t seem to get the hang of it…or can he?
1st-3rd Graders (Ages 6-8ish):
Benny and Penny: The Toy Breaker, by Geoffrey Hayes. As the holidays approach, it might be a good idea to have a story about a cousin who breaks EVERYTHING – and how to get along in spite of it – on hand. Just sayin’.
Hamster and Cheese (Guinea Pig, Private Eye #1), written by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Stephanie Yue. In this series, Sasspants is just a normal guinea pig…if guinea pigs who read, invent gadgets, and solve mysteries in their pet shop homes is normal, that is.
The Meeting (Mr. Badger and Mrs. Fox, #1), written by Brigitte Luciani, ilustrated by Eve Tharlet. With beautiful, soft illustrations, this story of two families, the Foxes and the Badgers, learning to live together, is sweet and charming. This would be great for young animal lovers, and/or someone who is getting a new step-family.
The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer (Owly, #1) by Andy Runton. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but owls seem to be everywhere these days – you should capitalize on this and get Owly for a kid in your life. This wordless graphic novel is just the cutest. I dare you to read it without saying “Awwwwww” at least once.
Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson. Seriously. I know, these are comic strips, but kids don’t really get the distinction yet, and really, is it ever too early to introduce someone to the magic that is Calvin and Hobbes? Maybe start with Killer Monster Snow Goons, or Scientific Progress Goes Boink, but why not invest in the entire collection? You know you’re gonna read and reread it with them…
3rd-5th Graders (Ages 9-11ish):
Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles into Comics, written and illustrated by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost. GET THIS BOOK. It tells the story of a knight, eager to adventure, and the squirrely elf who teaches the knight about cartooning along the way. Readers new to comics will learn how to read ’em, and those who are already familiar will learn more! And will laugh! And be encouraged to try drawing their own comics!
Babymouse: Queen of the World, by Jennifer L. Hom and Matt Holm. An adorable story of a mouse, trying to navigate school friendships and her own wild imagination, illustrated in black, white, and bubblegum pink. WIN.
Sound Off! (The Adventures of Daniel Boom, AKA Loud Boy #1) written by D.J Steinberg, illustrated by Brian Smith. What if that bad habit your parents have been nagging you to break was your superpower?! This one is sure to be a hit with your more…rambunctious relatives!
Magic Trixie by Jill Thompson. Trixie is a young witch, and everything was fine…until the baby arrived. In this fun series, Trixie faces the same challenges we all do: dealing with a new sibling, sleepovers, and lying. Except that Trixie and her family can do magic, and her friends are werewolves, vampires, mummies… If the charming stories don’t get you, look to Thompson’s breathtaking watercolor illustrations. Gorgeous!
Missile Mouse by Jake Parker. A fun, exciting science fiction adventure with a smart-mouthed, secret agent mouse. A good one for the boys (while girls will read it, there are zero female characters in it, which was…odd.)
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke. WOW. I love this book so much, and so has everyone I’ve given it to! Zita must decide whether or not to be a hero when her best friend Joseph is kidnapped by aliens. Funny, exciting and flat-out awesome.
5th Graders and up (Ages 11-?):
Sidekicks by Dan Santat. Superheroes are everywhere in adult comics, so why not here? Captain Amazing is getting tired, and is ready to hire a sidekick…but which one of his four pets should get the job? A lot of fun, and I just looooove Santat’s artwork.
Smile by Raina Telgemeier. When Raina was in 6th grade, she fell and damaged her teeth so badly she had to suffer through four years of tortuous dental work…and middle school. Last year, one of my daughter’s classmates loved this book so much, she sat on the floor of the book fair and urged every one of her schoolmates and their parents to buy it. True story.
Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel. One day, Garth is accidentally sucked into the world of ghosts, and begins an adventure to discover what it means to live. That may sound overly deep, but really, TenNapel’s graphic novels are just grand.
Out from Boneville (Bone #1) by Jeff Smith. Many would recommend this for the 3rd-5th grade crowd (and they will enjoy it), but I think this age will really get this hilarious and charming story of adventure and heroism. Plus, the title will get all the adults giggling…
The Secret Science Alliance and the Copycat Crook by Eleanor Davis. After Julian switches middle schools, he tries to reinvent himself, but when you’re a genius inventor, how do you avoid making genius friends and foiling the bad guy’s evil plans?
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword (Yet Another Troll-Fighting 11-Year-Old Orthodox Jewish Girl) by Barry Deutsch. What, that tagline didn’t convince you? It should. This book is rad.
Zeus: King of the Gods (The Olympians #1) by George O’Connor. Have your younger relatives been pining for the newest Percy Jackson book? Hand them one of O’Connor’s graphic novel adaptations of Zeus, Athena, Hera or Hades’ myths. These are fantastic reads for Greek myths fans, young and old (my 9-yr-old daughter AND husband love these).
What books would you recommend?