Here at Airdrie Public Library (APL), we have a large selection of graphic novels for a range of ages and reading levels.
At first glance, graphic novels can appear to be just comic books. But they are in fact real books, and reading them is real reading. They do help your child develop the same skills a traditional book does.
In fact, the combination of words and pictures encourages a deeper learning experience by increasing reading comprehension through seeing and connecting words with an image that describes them.
As well, graphic novels have less text, making them more accessible to hesitant or struggling readers. They are also great for English language learners.
Yes, they contain graphics, but they also contain full-length stories, told sequentially through panels using a combination of words and graphics.
The stories are not just about superheroes – they explore a broad range of themes, including fantasy, fiction, historical fiction, biography, and nonfiction, using a wide variety of artistic styles to do so.
Many, including Gene Luen Yang’s fantastic graphic novel American Born Chinese and David Small’s graphic memoir Stitches, have earned several impressive awards, such as the Printz Award for teen literary merit and the National Book Honor for Young People’s Literature.
Several graphic novels have been adapted into movies you might have seen, such as Sin City, 300, Ghost World, V for Vendetta, Tank Girl, Red, Atomic Blonde, Road to Perdition, Cowboys and Aliens, Hell Boy, and many more.
So, if you see your child, teen, or significant other reading a graphic novel and you start to wish they were reading a “real” book, remind yourself that graphic novels are, in fact, real reading.
Airdrie Public Library has an eclectic selection of graphic novels, so feel free to stop by our Main Street facility and discover them for yourself.
For more information on all our programs and services visit airdriepubliclibrary.ca
