15 Fun and Meaningful Graphic Novels for Kids

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When they’ve just started learning to read, most kids are attracted to picture books and other highly visual formats. That includes graphic novel, which are full-length stories told in a paneled and sequential graphic format.

This type of literature is exploding in popularity across a wide range of demographics. These books are fast-paced, and the word-to-picture association makes expanding a kid’s vocabulary more efficient. It also develops your child’s visual literacy skills, which are all the more important in this digital age.

But perhaps most importantly is the fact that graphic novels are just so much more engaging than books with plain text. They let your kid’s imagination run free so they can explore different worlds.

Best Graphic Novels for Kids

We’ve assembled a list of the best graphic novels for kids that you can use to encourage your child (and any reluctant reader, for that matter) to read. Check them out below!

1. The Breadwinner adapted by Cartoon Saloon and Melusine Aircraft Pictures

For parents looking to teach their kids about different cultures.

Reading Age: 10–14 years

Adapted from Nora Twomey’s animated film, which itself was adapted from a book by Deborah Ellis, The Breadwinner tells the moving story of a girl in Afghanistan who disguises herself as a boy in order to earn money for her family after her father is unjustly imprisoned.

2. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell

For parents looking to teach their kids the power of imagination.

Reading Age: 9–12 years

It’s summer and the cardboard kingdom awaits, where you can be anything and anyone you want to be! Sixteen kids take on robots, monsters, rogues, and knights on one last epic quest before school starts once again.

3. Doodle Adventures #1: The Search for the Slimy Space Slugs by Mike Lowery

For kids interested in drawing.

Reading Age: 8–11 years

Take your kids on a wild journey through space to find the elusive slimy space slugs. They’ve stolen a jar containing a top secret substance, but your kids can save the day by doodling in the book.

4. Louis Undercover by Fanny Britt, Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

For kids whose parents are going through a divorce.

Reading Age: 10–14 years

Louis is a young boy whose parents are divorced. He and his younger brother, Truffle, travel back and forth between their parents’ houses. When their dad stops drinking and Truffle gets stung by a bee, the family is reunited and spends a few wonderful days together.

5. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

For parents looking to teach kids the importance of right and wrong.

Reading Age: 7–9 years old

From the creator of Captain Underpants comes Dog Man, the story of a police officer and a dog who are combined together to create the eponymous superhero who fights crime and embarks on adventures.

6. Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer by Andy Runton

For parents looking to teach their kids the importance of friendship.

Reading Age: 7–10 years

Poor little Owly is a sweet but lonely bird; all he wants is a friend! Fortunately, Wormy’s here to the rescue, and soon they both go on adventures together. This series is largely free of dialogue, making it perfect for younger kids looking to transition to more challenging visual stories.

7. Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton

For kids curious about animals.

Reading Age: 6–9 years old

Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal, and Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. They’re the best of friends, despite their polar differences. Your kids will love this duo’s regular antics, and as a bonus, there’s a lot of sea facts to learn here!

8. Amulet #1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

For parents looking to teach their kids the importance of family.

Reading Age: 7–12 years

After their father’s death, Emily and Navin move with their mom to a strange house owned by their deceased great-grandfather. When something from the basement kidnaps their mother, the siblings decide to rescue her. They delve deep into an underground world full of elves, demons, and talking animals.

9. The Croc Ate My Homework by Stephan Pastis

For parents looking to teach their kids how to appreciate good humor.

Reading Age: 7–12 years old

A know-it-all rat, a slow-witted pig, a high-browed goat, a vulnerable zebra, and an inept croc complete the cast of this wildly humorous graphic novel. Providing dark humor and ridiculous puns, this book will set you and your children up for hours of fun reading.

10. Act by Kyla Miller

For parents who want to inspire their kids to make a difference.

Reading Age: 8–12 years

It all started with a classmate not being able to join the class field trip. Now Olive, with encouragement from her aunt, is out to change the school system by running for the student council.

11. All’s Faire in Middle School by Victoria Jamieson

For parents who want to show their kids that being different isn’t bad.

Reading Age: 9–12 years

Eleven-year-old Imogen has just started middle school, and there’s one thing that makes her stand out in school: her family’s love for the Renaissance Faire. Torn between her long-awaited training as a squire, and wanting to be like every other girl, Imogen must navigate the intricacies of middle school life.

12. Awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

For parents looking to teach their kids about confidence and speaking up.

Reading Age: 10 years and up

Peppi Torres has two rules for surviving school: Don’t get noticed by the mean kids, and join groups with similar interests. When she breaks the first rule by accidentally tripping into a quiet boy in the hall, she starts to realize that sometimes rules just have to be broken.

13. New Kid by Jerry Craft

For parents wanting to teach kids how to navigate outside their comfort zones.

Reading Age: 8–12 years

Jordan is enrolled in a prestigious private school known for its academics. But there are two problems: He’s one of the few students of color, and the school is all the way across town. He soon finds himself torn between two worlds, and doesn’t quite fit into either. He must navigate new paths while still keeping true to himself.

14. Twins by Varian Johnson and illustrated by Shannon Wright

For parents looking to teach their kids the benefits and dangers of competition.

Reading Age: 8–12 years

Maureen and Francine are twins and best friends. But they’re now in sixth grade, and slowly growing apart. Francine becomes Fran, a girl who’s constantly looking to outdo her sister. Will their relationship ever be the same after all the competition?

15. Allergic by Megan Wagner Lloyd and illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

For parents looking to teach their kids the joy of owning a pet, and how to deal with allergies.

Reading Age: 8 – 12 years

Maggie feels alone at home. Her parents are preoccupied with the new baby, and her siblings are in their own private worlds. She thinks a dog might be the answer to her problems, but when she selects one on her birthday, she break out in hives! Can she find herself the perfect pet and also outsmart her allergies on the side?

What Are Some Similarities Between Comic Books and Graphic Novels?

A lot of people consider graphic novels and comic books as interchangeable terms for one format, but they’re actually different.

Both are generally presented in a visual comic strip format. But while comic books are serialized periodicals, graphic novels tend to be longer, more detailed, and tackle one story in the entirety of one volume.

Reading Graphic Novels

Graphic novels are a joy to read. Not only do they look and feel more entertaining than plain text, but they’re also available in a wide variety of themes and genres. There’s definitely a graphic novel out there for everyone.

These kinds of books offer a great way to start your kids on their reading journeys. Though a lot of people see them as “childish,” they’re perfectly real and high-quality books, so don’t let that popular notion stop you from introducing graphic novels to your children.

The ones we put into this list are some of the best and most popular books we’ve found. Of course, there’s a ton more of them available, but if you’re still starting out in the graphic novel format, then this list is the way to start. Enjoy reading them with your kids!

Do you and your kids have a favorite graphic novel? Share it in the comment section below!

 

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