A graphic novel a type of book combining words and images—essentially a novel in the form of a comic book. Graphic novels have become a popular format for books, partly due to their appeal to reluctant readers. More recently, a growing body of research, focused on how the brain processes combinations of pictures and text, indicates that graphic novels are also excellent resources for advanced learners.
Graphic Novels combine images & text
Images, just like text, can be interpreted in many different ways, and can bring nuances to the meaning of the story. In a graphic novel, the images and the text are of equal importance —the text would not fully make sense without the images, and the images do not make sense without the text. As such, graphic novels require a different level of reading comprehension than a traditional novel as kids decipher a story with not just the words, but also the plot captured in the images.
Graphic Novels require Deeper Thinking
Graphic novels also challenge students to think deeply about the elements of storytelling. In a traditional chapter book, students uncover meaning embedded in sentences and paragraphs. In graphic novels, students must analyze the images, looking for signs of character development, or clues that help build the plot. All of this contributes to a person’s understanding of their world — the ways the text and images all around them communicate. Graphic novels put the reader into the driver’s seat. They have to do the work. They have to see and think and wonder and look for clues and become a visual detective to understand the full story.
Graphic Novels enhance a Love for Reading
Kids who read graphic novels are more likely to develop a love of reading. With graphic novels, kids tend to speed through the books on first read—and then read them over and over again. They’re capturing the main points of the story the first time and then diving into all its nuances when they open it up again and again.
Get your child hooked on graphic novels today!
Whether your child is a reluctant reader or an advanced reader, a graphic novel would be an excellent addition to your child’s collection of books. My Reflection Children’s Store is pleased to provide award-winning graphic novels to pre-teens and teenagers in Trinidad & Tobago.
The full selection of graphic novels can be seen here Graphic Novel – My Reflection Children’s Store (myreflectiontt.com). Order them today! Your kids will love them!
My Reflection Children’s Bookstore provides children’s books with African and Indian main characters to promote self-love and a love for reading among children. Visit www.myreflectiontt.com to order fun and engaging books for children from birth to age 14. Once your order is confirmed, the books will be delivered to you within three business days via TTPOST couriers.