Recently I have heard teachers and parents wonder how to get kids to read more than just graphic novels. There has been a huge resurgence of graphic novels, the "comic books" of our time. Many of us have great memories of hours spent reading Calvin and Hobbes, Garfield, Archie, the Far Side and DC comics. But seeing our beloved classic novels reduced to mere comic books may cause us to flinch. Are graphic novels quality reading or are they cheap substitutes for a higher level of literature?
When my oldest son was born, I was so excited to start to read to him. We had beloved board books that got worn out that we practically had memorized. As he and our other children grew older, we were anxious to share our favorites with them. Around age 5, my husband began a nightly ritual of reading "Robinson Crusoe" as a bed time story. He would use different voices and donned a pirate hat on occasion as they read. My son loved listening to the story, and the connection he felt through this bonding time.
Fast forward to Grade one and trying to learn to read. He had fallen in love with great stories, and all of a sudden he was asked to read Grade one Dick and Jane type readers. It was a huge stress to us all to try to get him to do his homework, and go back to the simplified readers. As I think back on those times, I wonder. . . if we had turned to graphic novels of the great stories like Robinson Crusoe, or even something more simple like the Box Car Children, would the struggle have been reduced?
The following are 3 ways that graphic novels can be a springboard to higher level literature:
Pair a graphic novel with a read aloud chapter book. Does your child have a favorite Graphic Novel series? Look to see if it has a longer chapter book counterpart. Or, if your child loves graphic novels, they may be more open to being introduced to a graphic novel based on a classic novel. There are many classic books that have been made into graphic novels, for example, Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery, or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L'Engle. After they have read the graphic novel, you can read the chapter book together. By reading the graphic novel first, they become familiar with the characters and plot in a simplified form, which can help them focus and pay more attention to the content of the original book. It can also spark some great discussions. Ask them," how were the books the same, and how were they different." They may have interesting perspectives that can enrich and extend your shared reading experience.
2. Use Graphic Novels to encourage reluctant readers. Every child develops at their own pace. While picture books are fantastic for increasing vocabulary and giving visual cues to beginning and intermediate readers, some children struggle with reading even as they get older. The lower reading level of the graphic novel, as well as the visual cues can help older readers feel encouraged while still being "cool". They can also be great for English as a second language readers. Comic books and Graphic Novels are "on trend" so reluctant or struggling readers can still feel like they are successful readers with age appropriate content.
3. Chapter book to DIY Graphic novel. One of the common concerns about graphic novels is that the reader may miss out on important skills of being able to picture in their minds the characters and using their imaginations. An idea may be to read a chapter or even one scene of a chapter book and provide your child with their own blank comic strip to draw the story for themselves. This can be fun with more than one child and they can compare and have a discussion on what they thought the characters looked like, and what stood out in their memories about the chapter. This is a great way to help with reading comprehension. Beyond that, you can take the activity even further by playing a game or doing a craft that goes along with the theme of the book.
Learning to read or helping your child learn to read can be an intimidating process. Using graphic novels as a friendly tool can take some of the struggle out of the process and provide positive literacy moments in the home.
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