Graphic Novels are Great for Readers: Build Volume, Knowledge and a Love for Reading and Writing
In this episode of Advancing Literacy Beyond the Classroom, hosts Emily Smith, Amanda Hartman, and Molly Picardi — staff developers at Advancing Literacy at Teachers College, Columbia University — explore the many ways families and caregivers can support children’s reading lives by tapping into graphic novels and books. This episode unpacks what is unique and captivating about this form of reading and why kids seem drawn to reading them. It will explore suggestions on how to tackle various genres and topics. The episode offers practical, creative recommendations for families and caregivers to encourage kids of all ages to build their repertoire of literary skills, knowledge and joy for reading, through graphic novels.
Episode Resources and Book Recommendations:
- Tips for Supporting Graphic Novel Readers Color | Black/White
- Hilda and Twig by Luke Pearson
- Cactus Kid - Rumble at the Rodeo by Emmanuel Guerrero
- The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
- Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham
- The Vanishing of Lake Peignuer by Allan Wolf and Jose Pimienta
- Black Lives: Great Minds of Science by Tonya Bolden and David Wilkerson
- History Smashers: Earth Day and the Environment by Kate Messner and Brian Biggs
- Indigenous People’s History of the United States: A Graphic Interpretation by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz and Paul Peart-Smith
- Science Comics: Deep Sea Creatures by Mike Lawrence
- Making Comics by Scott McCloud
- Animal Heroes: Supersquads! by Heather Lang and Jamie Harper
- The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt, Catherine Price, and Cynthia Yuan Cheng
*Bonus book for educators, caregivers, and families: The Dreamkeepers: Successful Teachers of African American Children, Comic Edition by Gloria Ladson-Billings and Rachel Branham.
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy.
Learn more about Teachers College Advancing Literacy.
If you’d like more tips on supporting at-home literacy, be sure to join and share our FREE Online Family and Caregiver Workshop Series and stay tuned for more podcasts episodes.
The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the speaker to whom they are attributed. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the faculty, administration, staff or Trustees either of Teachers College or of Columbia University.
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