Dog Man
Dav Pilkey
A police officer with a dog head and a short attention span: slapstick, puns and flip-o-rama in a very quick read.
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Kids, by age
Comics and graphic novels for kids
From a first wordless comic to a thick fantasy series, here is how to match a child with a graphic novel they will want to finish.
Comics and graphic novels are a good bridge between picture books and chapter books. The pictures carry part of the story, so a child can follow along while their reading catches up, and a funny series can turn a reluctant reader into one who asks for the next book.
We sort books into age bands rather than promising a reading level. Ages 3 to 5 are simple, short early-reader comics. Ages 6 to 8 are funny, fast series such as Dog Man. Ages 9 to 12 include memoir, school stories and longer fantasy such as Amulet, Bone and the Wings of Fire graphic novels. Teen and adult titles are separate, because their themes are different.
Age bands are a guide, not a rule. Publishers give an age range on each book’s page, and a quick flip through will tell you whether a story’s peril or humor suits your child. Use the Comic Finder below to filter by age and genre. We are adding a page for each popular series.
Tip
Let the child choose from two or three books you have already checked. A book they pick is the one they finish.
Find a book
Open the full FinderPick a filter, or type a title they liked. Each result opens the book on Amazon.
Popular series to start with
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Amulet: The Stonekeeper
Kazu Kibuishi
A family moves into a creepy house and a magic amulet pulls the kids into another world.
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Bone: Out from Boneville
Jeff Smith
Three cousins get lost in a valley with a dragon, a Rat Creature and a farm girl.
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Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy (graphic novel)
Tui T. Sutherland, Mike Holmes
The graphic-novel adaptation of the first Wings of Fire novel, about five dragonets raised for a prophecy.
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Smile
Raina Telgemeier
A memoir about braces, a dental accident and middle-school friendships.
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Cat Kid Comic Club
Dav Pilkey
Spin-off in which baby frogs learn to make their own comics, with real comic-making tips tucked in.
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Guides in this hub
All guides
Guide
How to Start Reading Comics
A practical starting path for adults picking up comics for the first time, covering formats, where to buy, how to read panels, and which titles to try first.
GuideBest Graphic Novels for New and Experienced Readers
A curated path through graphic novels that hold up on their own as complete stories, split by what kind of reading experience you're looking for.
Questions people ask
My child loves Dog Man. What should they read next?
Cat Kid Comic Club is by the same author, Dav Pilkey. Other funny series with the same quick pace include Babymouse, Squish and Narwhal and Jelly. For a longer story, try Bone or Amulet. Use the Comic Finder with an age filter to see more.
Are graphic novels “real reading”?
Yes. A reader still decodes words, follows the sequence of events and works out meaning from the pictures. Many librarians and teachers use graphic novels to build interest in reading. They work best alongside, not in place of, other kinds of books.
How do I know if a comic is age-appropriate?
Check the publisher’s age range on the book page, read the description, and flip through some pages. Fantasy adventures such as Amulet, Bone and Wings of Fire include peril and some scary moments. Manga publishers often print a rating on the cover, such as All Ages, Teen or Mature.
What is the difference between a picture book, an early-reader comic and a graphic novel?
A picture book has art with a short text and is usually read aloud. An early-reader comic uses panels and speech bubbles with simple words for a child learning to read. A graphic novel is a longer, book-length story in comic form, usually for older children.
What are good comics for a child who does not like reading?
Look for short, funny and visual books: Dog Man, Narwhal and Jelly or a nearly wordless comic such as Little Robot. Let the child pick the topic, and read the first few pages together. Success with a quick, enjoyable book makes the next one easier.