A note about graphic novels from Seth
Do graphic novels and comics count as reading?
Are graphic novels and comics too easy for my child?
Why should I invest in books that my child ends up finishing in one sitting?
Can’t my child just read “real books” like I did when I was their age?
I don’t like that my child only reads books from the genre of graphic novels. How can I get them to broaden their reading by reading other genres?
If you have ever found yourself asking these sorts of questions, you are not alone. They are fair to ask, but ultimately, they are often derived from some of the myths surrounding the writing styles within these formats of writing. These myths are not based on the science of reading or research that has been done comparing graphic novels and comics to other forms of writing. When embraced, these misconceptions can lead to actions that inadvertently slow a child's reading development.
It is very important to remember that graphic novels and comics are not a genre. Instead, they are a format for writing (e.g. picture books, text-only novels, screenplays, etc.). There are no 'real' or 'unreal' formats related to writing styles. Script-writing or dialogue-driven narratives are the writing styles that most comics and graphic novels employ. Within any format/writing style, there are a large number of genres that are represented. This is just as true for graphic novels as it is for other formats. Whatever writing style that a child is using to explore different genres of writing must be embraced. This is, at its core, the essence of individualizing a literacy approach for each child.
If you are wanting to dive deeper into this topic, below are a couple resources that might possibly be handy.
I often like to share blog posts with parents because many parents relate more comfortably with blogs. One might say that these parents prefer blogs as their favorite format for writing! With that in mind, this one is a great explanation of why these books are so fantastic.
This one from Scholastic supports the blog referenced above and shows books in their catalogue that are potential options for good graphic novels to consider. Many are also part of a series which, as we know, also help kids to feel more connected to their reading and to become more successful readers.
And for anyone who wants a more professional source to be telling them why comics are beneficial, this one from the International Literacy Association fits the bill.
It is important for people raising and teaching children to know the potential value that the graphic novel format and the writing style used in graphic novels provide for their child. These books play an essential role in helping a huge percentage of elementary school readers to thrive! I hope that if you encounter these misconceptions about graphic novels and comics that you may be able to use these resources to help educate yourself and/or those around you.
