Bring on the comics!

Bev Humphrey
Literacy & Digital Media Consultant
www. Bevhumphrey.com
Social media – https://linktr.ee/BevHumphrey

I love reading in all the different shapes it comes in (and yes I do consider listening to an audiobook to be reading!) but I do have a particular liking for graphic novels/comic books and it has always upset me in the past when friends and colleagues have dismissed these illustrated stories as not ‘proper books’. It doesn’t happen as much now I’m happy to say but I’d like to share with you some of my favourite graphic novels from the past few years, just in case there’s any lingering doubt in your mind!

For young children looking for a first comic book

Hilda & Twig Hide From the Rain, Luke Pearson

Children may already be aware of Hilda and Twig from the Netflix series so this simple comic book should be an easy win.

Guaranteed to make you laugh

Bunny vs Monkey series, Jamie Smart

These laugh a page comics are silly, irreverent and just a joy to read with plenty of toilet humour and slapstick thrown in.

To experience someone else’s culture

Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, Pedro Martin

In this award-winning graphic novel we travel with Pedro from his home in America back to Mexico to collect his grandfather who is coming to live with the family.

For lovers of mythology

The Fox Maidens, Robin Ha

This fantasy romance is based on the ancient nine- tailed fox legends of Korea and has inspirational strong female characters and an underlying theme of family honour and expectation.

Based on facts

Courage to Dream, Neal Schusterman

This emotive, sometimes hard to read book contains 5 different takes on one common theme, this being the tradition of resistance. There are fact pages about the Holocaust too which help to make this a sobering but important read.

Neurodiverse representation

Frankie’s World & Finding My Voice, Aoife Dooley and Speak Up!, Rebecca Burgess

I couldn’t choose between these three fun novels which give a unique perspective on Autism and how it can give you a different outlook on life.

For your dark, atmospheric reads lovers

Through the Woods, Emily Carroll

This one’s a bit older but it’s a classic in my mind. It includes five, eerie, disquieting stories which follow journeys in and out of the abyss.

Lovers of Bridgerton and Jane Austen

I Shall Never Fall in Love, Hari Conner

A Regency love story with a definite twist with lots to say about the expectations placed on women and the importance of conforming to society norms in that time period.

Retelling of a classic

War of the Worlds, Chris Mould

The classic story told in stunning fashion, this has pride of place on my bookshelf and is the graphic novel I would choose to buy as a present as I think everyone would appreciate its beauty.

Meeting well loved characters

Bad Magic: A Skulduggery Pleasant Graphic Novel, Derek Landy, PJ Holden & Matt Soffe

I am a dyed in the wool Skulduggery fan and I was anxious when this was published, not sure if it would match up to the pictures I see in my head whilst reading the stories but I shouldn’t have worried! Great, diverse storyline and brilliant illustrations.

For introverts

Quiet Girl in a Noisy World, Debbie Tung

Quiet Girl was published in 2017 but it stands out in my mind as being a book that would definitely make my introverted family members feel ‘seen’. It represents the author’s own experiences as an introvert in a world that at times seems to be entirely populated by extroverts and is a wonderfully empathetic read.