Raising Super Readers with Comics & Graphic Novels

Comic books have been around for as long as most of us can remember, opening up fantastical worlds through visual imagery alongside text and allowing us to easily immerse ourselves. Why then, are some parents so hesitant to allow their kids to read comic books and graphic novels, especially when so many are available in both brick and mortar and online bookstores?

The stereotype around comic books is that they are simple stories filled with nonsensical whimsy rather than a piece of good reading material. Some parents believe that they are a distraction that students hide within textbooks to make it seem like they are studying when they are really "slacking off" but this is far from the truth. The world we live in is so visual, there are graphics essentially everywhere you turn, so it only makes sense that children are drawn to visual media and, in the case of graphic novels and comic books, this type of visual media can really help them flourish! Here's why.

They Foster a Love of Reading 

There is a reason why comic books and graphic novels are so popular with children. Aside from the appealing artwork, they are easier to read than traditional books. Due to the conversational dialogue and heavy imagery, comic books and graphic novels can make reading a story much more fun for younger children. This is especially true for those who don't have much interest in lengthy literature. They can also help children feel a sense of accomplishment, as their shorter length can make reading and finishing these types of novels easier. Children may also find them more appealing to read as they can help them better understand some emotions, as the words are paired with visuals allowing them to see the emotion rather than trying to decipher it through text. The visuals on the pages can help spark interest almost immediately and don't require the child to trudge through text-heavy chapters to make it to the more interesting bits. 

They Encourage a Different Way of Thinking

Reading comic books or graphic novels may seem like the easier choice initially, but according to Dale Jacobs, an English professor at the University of Windsor, comic books require readers to create meaning using "multiple modalities". This means, readers must process multiple components when reading text-based books such as visual, spatial, and textual, and combine them to fully understand the story. In comic books, the information is there for readers and they need to take it all in and process it in a much more complex way than if they were watching a TV show or playing a video game. This type of reading encourages an alternate way of thinking which can help children thrive by giving them the opportunity to view something differently compared to reading a traditional novel.

They Can Improve Inference

Comic books and graphic novels encourage readers to "read between the lines" when enjoying the stories since there isn't as much written as there would be in a traditional novel. This allows readers to improve their ability to infer information. Inference means figuring something out based on evidence and reasoning; what better way could there be to build this skill than by studying the images alongside the text in illustrated novellas? Being able to infer meaning through imagery is a useful tool in everyday life as well. Children struggling to understand social situations can find this useful as it can help them recognize cues they may have overlooked otherwise. Comic books and graphic novels also contain the same elements and literary devices that you will find in traditional novels, such as character, conflict, resolution, symbolism, theme, point of view, etc., which is important to recognize because these devices and elements allow readers to better comprehend what they read. Being able to understand these literary devices not only helps with understanding sequencing and succinct language, but being aware of these tools at a young age can also help to develop a child's writing skills. 

They Can Be a Valuable Accompaniment for Other Learning Disciplines

Let's face it, textbooks are a boring read, but comics can be a new and interesting way to learn about many different things such as historical events, classic tales, nature, health and fitness, mind, body and spirit, and positive relationships. Your child may find history class boring, but give them a comic book or graphic novel that goes into detail about the American Revolution and they may be quoting generals and discussing battle tactics before the day is done. Comic books can present information that may seem boring in a much more interesting manner because they introduce story into the learning material. These stories can be easily digested since they come in multiple issues or compendiums and are easier to refer back to rather than a film on the subject, or a thick textbook. 

They're More than Just Superhero Stories

When you think of "comic books", superheroes likely come to mind. However, comic books and graphic novels are so much more than superheroes and their stories. They cover so many different genres such as comedy, drama, sci-fi, fantasy - but also history, Shakespearean plays, and even literary classics retold, which is why there are stories for all age groups, tastes, and reading levels in the comic and graphic novel world. Not only that, but if you're a fan of buying cheap books, comics and graphic novels can really help stretch your hard earned cash. And like your beloved novels, they still explore the same themes and issues, but in a more visual way which can be much more appealing to some people. Experiencing a story through a comic book or graphic novel is so different than reading a traditional novel, as things that you may have glossed over while reading could be included in the imagery and may open your eyes to things that you didn't even realize had significance when reading the book initially. 

Some people love stories with a lot of literary detail and written imagery, and there is nothing wrong with that, but other readers are more visual and can definitely benefit from a bit of text with some great visuals to get their imaginations rolling. Starting off one's reading experience with comic books or graphic novels can really help foster a love for reading which may eventually move them onto read more books of different varieties. Check out Book Outlet for a great selection of comic books and graphic novels, perfect for your kids or even for yourself!