As a big graphic novel fan, it’s hard to think back to a time before I had entire shelves dedicated to the format. I always loved comic books, which was a natural starting point, but picture books are also a great segue into graphic novels. Many picture books have the panels and speech bubbles we commonly associate with graphic novels, while some have multiple vignettes on a page, or very classic-comic-style art. These are the perfect choice for your future graphic novel reader! We’ve compiled a list of books that are sure to set-up your little reader to love graphic novels. But be warned! Have plenty of bookshelf space ready, because you’re going to want all of them.
I Am a Highly Dangerous Warrior stars a highly dangerous six-year-old. (Or so he thinks.) It’s a hilarious take on being brave, figuring out how to tackle the next big thing, coming up with a plan, and finding comfort from the things in life that make us feel safe. It reads just like a graphic novel, with conversations in speech bubbles and different panels and sections that all piece together to tell a laugh-out-loud tale.
Do you know that feeling where you’re just so hungry that you can’t think about anything else? Where your hunger makes you angry? That’s HANGRY! This picture book perfectly illustrates that feeling, as a monster starts to get increasingly annoyed when he can’t find something to eat! Told through comic-style panels, the big monster, with a huge hunger, is calmed with a couple of delicious hot dogs. And it’s no surprise that this book is perfect for a future graphic novel fan, as Drew Brockington is also the creator of the bestselling Waffles and Pancake graphic novel series as well as the out-of-this-world bestselling CatStronauts series! You’ll want to read them all.
This is the perfect read aloud, about learning to read! First Mate Foxy reads a fun fact in his book: “Lemmings don’t jump off cliffs.” But Foxy can’t share this fact with his lemming friends because they’re too busy jumping off the cliff, and Foxy is too busy rescuing them! He finally realizes they can’t read, and he’ll have to teach them so that everyone can enjoy the book.
Not only is this whole series perfect for future fans of comic-style storytelling, but the entire story is told using only two words: Sí and no! (And of course epic artwork.) Skeletown is a cheerful, vibrant world filled with Día de los Muertos-inspired characters. Skully and Skelly learn what to say “yes” and “no” to as readers learn the Spanish words for “yes” and “no” at the same time. It’s a rambunctious romp, and a totally unique approach to storytelling. The tale unfolds primarily through images, which is the perfect intro to how you read graphic novels!
A Perfectly Messed-Up Story is the perfect interactive read-aloud from Patrick McDonnell, who knows a thing or two about comics! (He’s the award-winning artist and creator of the MUTTS comic!) It’s a delightful tale about embracing life’s messes, and realizing it’s okay to make mistakes. Little Louie’s story keeps getting messed up, and he’s not happy about it! But when he stops and takes a deep breath, he realizes that everything is actually just fine, and his story is a good one—imperfections and all.
This hilarious picture book follows a wannabe know-it-all terrified of losing his smarty pants reputation in the eyes of his friends, by bestselling Geisel-Award winning creator Laurie Keller. The KNOW-IT-ALL in apartment 2C answers any question, until one day he is asked a question he doesn’t understand. How can 2C help his neighbor and protect his reputation if he doesn’t know what the question means? It’s a fantastic story about embracing the idea that sometimes, the smartest thing you can say is, “I don’t know.” Questions lead to discovery and understanding! The conversations and panels travel all over the apartment building and practically burst off the page. It’s one you’ll read again and again.
Meet Lucy the Bear. Lucy is determined to make a new friend. But she realizes it’s a little harder than she thought. Just when she’s going to give up, an unexpected friend finds her, and loves her the way she is. It’s an awesome story of persistence and friendship, from the #1 bestselling author of The Wild Robot. Each page is filled with multiple scenes and speech bubbles, almost like the beginnings of a graphic novel! And trust me, you will want to be Lucy’s friend after this.
