Author-illustrator Chris Judge applauds the graphic novel, shares how they can help to get children reading, and recommends some to try.
As a child in Ireland during the 1980s, I devoured any comics and graphic novels I could get my hands on, though they were fairly scarce in Dublin.
I started with the classics like The Beano and The Dandy, but everything changed when I discovered Tintin and Asterix through my older brother.
This opened up a whole new world for me.
I learned to draw by closely copying panels through repetition. My journey progressed to 2000 AD, which blew the doors open to how stories could be told visually. It instilled in me a lifelong passion for graphic novels and storytelling, influencing my own picture books and graphic novels today.
Now, my daughters have access to a vast array of beautiful and brilliant graphic novels from all over the world, including brilliant Irish books – something I would have cherished at their age.
It’s fantastic that graphic novels are now recognised as a vital format for nurturing a love of reading, particularly among younger readers transitioning from picture books, and, most importantly, for reluctant readers.
I have witnessed first-hand how effectively they serve as a bridge between picture books and chapter books through my own children, as well as during my festival and school events.
The synergy of dialogue and imagery creates a reading experience almost like watching a movie or a play, making it an excellent way to engage children in storytelling.
I have also observed how teachers are embracing these books to maintain students’ interest in reading, especially in the case of graphic novels that are part of an ongoing series.
During the live events I host, I conduct workshops where I create and illustrate comics based on audience prompts, and it’s incredible to see the wild and imaginative stories that emerge when children have the freedom to express themselves in a comfortable format.
The speed at which these stories and characters are conceived and drawn is so exciting and fun too. I would have LOVED this as a child.
When I’m making the Evil Duck books, I get to tell much more of a story than I do with my picture books, and I really enjoy writing for multiple characters.
It’s a challenge to include the various characters and weave them through the story, but this always leads to unpredictable strands in storytelling that are very satisfying. I’m so thrilled I get to work with my publisher Gill Books, who really embraced the books from the start.
There are now so many beautifully produced graphic novels. The obvious and most popular titles are books like Dog Man and Bunny Vs Monkey but there are many other author and illustrators out there creating brilliant books, like Sarah Bowie’s Nina Peanut (a favourite in our house), Sheena Dempsey’s Pablo and Splash, and other like InvestiGATORS and Batpig.
To any parent who may be hesitant about these books, I encourage you to grab some from the library and try reading them with your kids. I promise that you will be pleasantly surprised by how wonderful they are!
Graphic novels, told in comic-strip style, are a brilliant way to introduce children to the fun of reading stories. The visual narrative is just as important to follow as the words. This selection is aimed at beginner readers, with minimal text and speech bubbles, but lots of funny action.
These comics and graphic novels offer a different route into discovering the pleasure of reading. This selection is for children who can read themselves and who enjoy a visual narrative too.
The graphic novel format is a great way to engage reluctant readers, present difficult subject matter in an accessible way, as well as to just enjoy a great read. There is something on this list for every teen.