If a picture is worth a thousand words, then graphic novels are priceless. These books tell a story through art, and they can be funny, serious, lighthearted, sophisticated, and everything in between. There is a wealth of research out in the education world that substantiates what most children already know: graphic novels are amazing! The following suggestions are geared towards early elementary schoolers, from Kindergarten through 3rd grade. These graphic novels- and many others- are available in print form in our library, and online in our digital resources collection.
Peter & Ernesto (series) by Graham Annable (1st grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL ANNABLE
Sloths are all the rage these days, and these books that feature best friends Peter and Ernesto prove that their popularity is well earned. Even though Peter is a homebody, and Ernesto has a wandering heart, the two are a perfect pair. Start with their first story: A Tale of Two Sloths, continue with The Lost Sloths, then conclude with Sloths in the Night. Enjoy!
Noodleheads (series) by Tedd Arnold (Kindergarten & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL ARNOLD
Envious of his incredible success with the Fly Guy books, author/illustrator Tedd Arnold’s friends dared him to attempt to make a really ridiculous main character into a hit series; something like a phone book, a rock, or some pasta. Rising to the challenge, he created the funny, punny, and delightful Noodleheads graphic novel series, and the rest is history*!
(*This anecdote is not true. At least, I don’t think so. Although really, who knows for sure?)
CatStronauts (series) by Drew Brockington (2nd grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL BROCKINGTON
Life as an astronaut can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're a cat astronaut! In this delightfully goofy series, a team of catstronauts save the earth from eternal darkness, participate in a race to be the first group on Mars, and more. Try the first adventure in CatStronauts: Mission Moon, and you’ll see that these books are absolutely out of this world! (Please, don’t try and tell me that you didn’t see that coming.)
Narwhal and Jelly (series) by Ben Clanton (1st grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL CLANTON
Narwhal is a carefree, go-with-the-flow kind of creature. Jelly is a very serious jellyfish. The two might be opposites in many ways, but they are the best of friends, and their ocean-set adventures are sure to please! Dip your toes in the water with their first story, Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea, and then get carried away with the other three volumes. Bonus: the fifth entry in the series is coming in September, so there’s even more to look forward to.
Babymouse (series) and Squish (series) by Jennifer L. Holm (2nd grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL HOLM
Jennifer L. Holm is a highly respected, extremely popular, and incredibly versatile author who has written historical fiction, contemporary school stories, books with a touch of science fiction, and more. Arguably, her most popular books are her graphic novels. Babymouse is about a sweet and determined young mouse who deals with everyday problems with a positive attitude and a lot of humor. Squish is a comic book loving Amoeba with a sweet tooth who also faces ordinary troubles, but with an extra dash of drama! Try out both series -- you won’t regret it!
Lunch Lady (series) by Jarrett J. Krosoczka (2nd grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL KROSOCZKA
Do you ever wonder what the adults in your school do when they’re not on the job? If you go to Thompson Brook School, like the characters in Krosoczka’s graphic novels, then you might be surprised to find out that your lunch lady is actually a crime fighting superhero in her down time! This series is a blast to read -- even when school is not in session!
Owly (series) by Andy Runton (Kindergarten & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL RUNTON
This wordless graphic novel series relays the sweet adventures of an adorable little owl as he wanders through the forest trying to find a friend. The first entry is Owly: The Way Home & The Bittersweet Summer, and there are quite a few more in our graphic collection. Warning: reading this series might make your little one beg for a pet owl (which is not really the most practical idea), but the risk is worth the reward, as these stories are utterly charming.
Binky (series) by Ashley Spires (1st grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL SPIRES
Just in case the CatStronaut series is not enough to satisfy your yearning for books that combine cats and space, there’s another character who you might want to meet. Binky is a space-obsessed cat who never actually leaves his home. Full of mischief and imagination he is determined to leave his space station (his home), enter outer space (outside), do battle with aliens (bugs), and engage in even more heroic adventures. Binky has big plans.
Mr. Wolf’s Class (series) by Aron Nels Steinke (2nd grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL STEINKE
If you’re missing school (even just a tiny bit!), then this new graphic novel series is sure to be perfect for you. In it, we meet Mr. Wolf, a new teacher at Hazelwood Elementary School. He and his students enjoy many ordinary, but wonderful, escapades as they try to survive fourth grade.
Hilo (series) by Judd Winnick (2nd grade & up)
GRAPHIC NOVEL WINNICK
D.J. and Gina, two ordinary kids, meet Hilo, the decidedly extraordinary boy from space! When Hilo falls to Earth not knowing where he came from or why he is here, it is up to his new friends to help him navigate life as a human. This series is very popular with fans of Dog Man and Big Nate.
