Why Comics, Graphic Novels and Manga?
- Reading graphic novels develops empathy by helping children and teens relate to people who are different from them.
- Graphic novels allow students to read above their independent reading level so they can engage with more challenging text.
- Graphic novels level the academic playing field.
- Reading graphic novels builds comprehension and critical thinking skills.
- Graphic novels get children and teens excited about reading!
SOURCE: “5 reasons your child should read graphic novels,” Kami Garcia
From the very first sequential comic strip published in the Hearst New York American on February 16, 1896, the medium broadly referred to as “comics” has steadily evolved into a variety of formats that combine text and images to tell engaging stories of all kinds. From comic strips to webcomics, to comic books and manga to graphic novels—the medium offers just as many genres as traditional fiction and nonfiction books.
Many believe that comic book stories are primarily centered around heroic characters in capes and tights fighting villains bent on destroying the world, but the medium has so much more to offer readers of all interests than just the latest adventures of Batman, Spider-Man, and the X-Men. Comics also tell stories that are romantic, terrifying, heartbreaking, and even educational—graphic memoir and graphic journalism are two of the most popular genres in comics—but knowing where to begin can seem like a daunting task.
Engage, Excite, Inspire
Comic books, graphic novels, and manga offer an incredible opportunity to engage readers of all abilities and ages by providing a visual foundation that helps accelerate comprehension of an author’s ideas while inspiring them to find their own voices.
Comics foster empathy for others by providing immersive perspectives on lives, stories, and even classic texts that might otherwise seem abstract or unrelatable for some readers. From adaptations of classic literature to profiles of courage, nonfiction to memoir—the comics medium employs visual elements that help engage and excite readers about subjects they might not have otherwise chosen to read.
Comics can help ease readers into new subject matter while building their confidence, reading comprehension, and critical thinking skills, ultimately enabling them to engage with more challenging texts. They also help foster a joy of reading which can level the academic playing field.
Beyond their educational value, comic books, graphic novels, and manga also inspire readers to find their own voices. One of the most common ‘side effects’ of reading comics is telling one’s own stories—sometimes with their favorite characters, or creating their own, building their own worlds to explore and share.
Simply put, comics get children and teens excited about reading!
WHY COMICSPLUS?
A unique gateway into the diverse and engaging world of digital comic books, graphic novels, and manga—with cost-effective unlimited and simultaneous checkouts.
With LibraryPass’ ComicsPlus, your students and patrons can simultaneously read more than 20,000 digital comics, graphic novels, and manga—including popular titles for all age ranges and interests, like Avatar: The Last Airbender, Bee and Puppycat, Big Nate, Bone, Dramacon, Hero House, How to Draw Manga, Kirby Genesis, My Little Pony, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Stranger Things, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and hundreds more.
Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for offline reading, with unlimited, simultaneous checkout to maximize circulation through book clubs, reading programs, makerspace activities, and other engaging initiatives.
Pre-Filtered, Customizable Collections
Your library gets a custom URL that is pre-filtered to offer age-appropriate collections for your students or patrons.
