In the past ten years, we have seen a massive shift in the way it views comics and graphic novels. Even so, many folks still hold assumptions and prejudices about graphic novels and reading, especially when it comes to kids. I still regularly hear that parents are concerned that their child prefers graphic novels to "real books." I understand what these parents are getting at--there are absolutely differences between reading longer form prose and reading graphic novels! However, there simply isn't any proof that reading graphic novels hurts a child's ability to read prose--in fact, studies show the opposite! Reading graphic novels are a great tool for building literacy, critical thinking, reading comprehension, and engagement.
Here are just a few ways reading graphic novels isn't just okay for kids--it's good for them! We've included links to just some of the research so you can read more.
Graphic novels improve reading engagement and pleasure
Studies show over and over again that using graphic novels helps motivate struggling readers, and improves engagement and motivation among readers of all types. Research consistently shows kids who enjoy reading read more and become better readers.
- Chun, C. W. (2009). "Critical literacies and graphic novels for English‐language learners: Teaching Maus." Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 53 (2). Link
- Gavigan, Karen W. (2011) “More powerful than a locomotive: Using graphic novels to motivate struggling male adolescent readers.” Journal of research on libraries and young adults, 1 (3). Link
- Krashen, S. D. (2004). The power of reading: Insights from the research. Bloomsbury Publishing. Link
- Wallner, Lars & Barajas, Katarina. (2020). Using comics and graphic novels in K-9 education: An integrative research review. Studies in comics, 11. Link
- Yunus, M., Salehi, H., & John, D. S. A. (2013) "Using visual aids as a motivational tool in enhancing students interest in reading literary texts." Proceedings of the 4th international conference on education and educational technologies. Link
Graphic novels support comprehension & literacy skills
Reading graphic novels helps build overall literacy skills like inference, prediction, synthesis, revall, and comprehension. Graphic novels helps readers learn how to interpret symbolism and understand narrative sequence and reasoning. Some studies even show that students who read comics/graphic novels learn more and remember more about the subject they're studying.
- Aldahash, R., & Altalhab, S. (2020). The effect of graphic novels on EFL learners’ reading comprehension." International journal of applied linguistics and english literature, 9 (5). Link
- Brenna, Beverley. “How graphic novels support reading comprehension strategy development in children.” (2013). Literacy, 47 (2). Link
- Jennings, K. A., Rule, A. C., & Vander Zanden, S. M. (2014). "Fifth graders' enjoyment, interest, and comprehension of graphic novels compared to heavily-illustrated and traditional novels." International electronic journal of elementary education, 6 (2). Link
- Meuer, Stephen. (2018) “Reading comprehension through graphic novels: How comic books and graphic novels can help language learners.” MinneTESOL journal, 34 (2). Link
Graphic novels support diverse learners
Reading graphic novels is especially effective for kids who struggle with reading for a variety of reasons--for example, graphic novels are great for English language learners, struggling readers, kids with dyslexia, and visual learners.
- Ranker, Jason. “Using comicbooks as read-alouds: Insights on reading instruction from an english language learner classroom.” The Reading teacher. (61). Link
- Hughes, J., & King, A. E. (2010). "Dual pathways to expression and understanding: Canadian coming-of-age graphic novels." Children's Literature in Education, 41 (1). Link
- Duncan, R., Smith, M. J., & Levitz, P. (2023). The power of comics and graphic novels: Culture, form, and context. Bloomsbury Publishing. Link
Graphic novels build multimodal literacy
Literacy isn't just about the ability to read words. Multimodal literacy is an important skill in today's multimedia world. Literally meaning "many modes," multimodal literacy refers to the ability to create and interpret meaning across multiple forms of communication, like words, images, sounds, etc.
- Baetens, J., & Surdiacourt, S. (2011). "How to ‘read’ images with texts: the graphic novel case." In E. Margolis, L. Pauwels (Eds.) How to ‘read’ images with texts: The graphic novel case. SAGE Publications Ltd. Link
- Bateman, J. A., Veloso, F. O., Wildfeuer, J., Cheung, F. H., & Guo, N. S. (2017). "An open multilevel classification scheme for the visual layout of comics and graphic novels: Motivation and design." Digital scholarship in the humanities, 32 (3). Link
- Jiménez, L. M., Roberts, K. L., Brugar, K. A., Meyer, C. K., & Waito, K. (2017). "Moving our can(n)ons: Toward an appreciation of multimodal texts in the classroom." The reading teacher. 71 (3). Link
- Luszeck, Mandy. (2023) "The multiplicities of multimodal texts: Exploring YA graphic novels for secondary readers." In Maldonado, R., DeHart, J. (Eds.) Increasing visual literacy and critical thinking skills through graphic novels. Link
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Schwarz, Gretchen. (2006). “Expanding literacies through graphic novels.” English journal. (95) 6. Link