Graphic novels are a great way to ignite a child’s passion for reading! Often, especially for reluctant readers, graphic novels add the extra support kids need to help them through a text. Here are some great choices for new readers.
Blue, Barry & Pancakes by Dan Abdo & Jason Patterson
Youth Graphic Novels ABD
One day, when the gang goes to the beach, Barry and Pancakes lose Blue’s beloved beach ball. They come up with a plan to get it back, but things go way off course. Now, these pals will have to go inside a giant whale’s stomach, crash a pool party on an alien spaceship, and survive Duckzilla’s volcanic birthday bash if they ever hope to see Blue’s beach ball again!
Peanut, Butter, & Crackers by Paige Braddock
Youth Graphic Novels BRA
Kids will laugh-out-loud at Paige Braddock’s funny, endearing art and dialogue. (She also cleverly never shows “our human,” the animals’ owner, as anything more than a pair of hands or unintelligble speech balloons.) This is a wonderful story about friendship and acceptance, with the funniest combination of pets to ever hit the page.
Narwhal and Jelly by Ben Clanton
Youth Graphic Novels CLA
Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no-nonsense jellyfish. The two might not have a lot in common, but they do they love waffles, parties and adventures. Join Narwhal and Jelly as they discover the whole wide ocean together. A wonderfully silly early graphic novel series, Clanton showcases the joys of friendship, the benefits of working together, and the power of imagination.
Fox & Rabbit by Beth Ferry
Youth Graphic Novels FER
Easygoing Fox and anxious Rabbit seem like total opposites. But, somehow, they make the perfect pair! Whether searching for hidden treasure or planting a garden in their own backyard, Fox and Rabbit find everyday magic at every turn. On this first adventure, the pair will discover some new favorite things like sunsets, dandelions, and cotton candy. And they’ll face new fears like heights, swimming, and (poisonous!) frogs. Thankfully, there’s nothing Fox and Rabbit can’t do together!
Bunbun & Bonbon by Jess Keating
Youth Graphic Novels KEA
Bunbun has it all: a delightful Bunbun nose, a winning Bunbun smile, a ridiculously cute Bunbun tail, and not one, but two adorable Bunbun ears. But Bunbun doesn’t have a friend — until Bunbun meets Bonbon. Learning how to be fancy and eating donuts for lunch are two of the duo’s many adventures in this irresistible graphic novel debut by acclaimed author-illustrator Jess Keating. Hop hop hooray!
bANANA fOX by James Kochalka
Youth Graphic Novels KOC
The great detective Banana Fox is called back to duty to find a missing turtle. But the deeper he digs, the more he discovers, and it’s worse than he thought! The Secret Sour Society is back, and they’re mixing up a bunch of trouble. Can Banana Fox and his sidekick, Flashlight, put an end to the Secret Sour Society once and for all?
bAloney and Friends by Greg Pizzoli
Youth Graphic Novels PIZ
Meet Baloney! He’s the star of this book, along with his best buddies: empathetic Peanut the horse, sensible Bizz the bumblebee, and grumpy Krabbit—he’d rather not be here, but what can you do? In this graphic novel for newly independent readers, Baloney and friends step into the spotlight and embody all the charm of childhood!
Pizza and Taco by Stephen Shaskan
Youth Graphic Novels SHA
Best friends are the BEST! But WHO is the BEST? Is it Pizza or Taco? The question is debatable! They both love water slides. They both are friends with Hot Dog and Hamburger. In fact, maybe they should have a debate and get their friends to VOTE for who’s the best! Can their friendship survive the race for top spot on the popularity food chain? Cast your VOTE! This graphic chapter book will tickle the funny bones of kids ages 5-8 and bolster their reading confidence.
Squidding Around by Kevin Sherry
Youth Graphic Novels SHE
Squizzard is a little squid with a big personality. He loves telling jokes, scarfing sardines, and hanging with his best friend Toothy. But the thing he loves most is being in charge. When Squizzard makes up games, he is always the hero and Toothy is always the sidekick. He never listens or admits he’s wrong, and one day he pushes Toothy too far. His bossiness causes a rift in their friendship the size of the Mariana trench! Can Squizzard convince Toothy to give him a second chance or is he doomed to be the loneliest kid at Deep Reef Elementary?
Pea, Bee, & Jay by Brian Smith
Youth Graphic Novels SMI
Get ready to roll with Pea, Bee, & Jay in this early reader graphic novel series by Brian “Smitty” Smith, perfect for fans of Narwhal & Jelly, emerging readers, and comic lovers alike! Like all peas, Pea loves to roll. So when a no-good strawberry dares him to roll all the way off the farm, he swears he can do it—eazy me-zee! But along the way, a powerful thunderstorm strikes and bounces Pea off course…and right into two unlikely new buds: a bee named Bee who thinks she knows it all, and a bird named Jay who can’t figure out how to fly.
Norma and Belly by Mika Song
Youth Graphic Novels SON
Join two troublemaking squirrels on their delicious adventures in this graphic novel series that is perfect for fans of Narwhal & Jelly! Mika Song gives readers something to laugh at as these squirrels try their hardest to get their hands on different snacks.
Fitz and Cleo by Jonathan Stutzman
Youth Graphic Novels STU
Fitz and Cleo are siblings by chance, but best friends by choice. Oh, and they also happen to be ghosts! Join Cleo, a happy-go-lucky kind of gal, and Fitz, her science-minded brother, as they laugh their way through eleven gut-busting stories, including exploring the beach with a new friend, enjoying some ice cream, playing baseball, and gazing at the stars.