Using Graphic Novels and Comic Books to Teach Reading
Posted by PLB Registrar · 3 Comments
Anytime I visit a bookstore, Target, ToysRUs or other place that sells books for children I can’t help but keep a look out for my sister’s New York Time’s Best Selling Ladybug Girl! series of children books. Of course, I am biased as the author is my little sister. Oops, maybe I shouldn’t say little sister any longer as she is all grown up with a beautiful family of her own and a successful career as a children book author.
So, I was wandering the children book section recently scouring the shelves for the latest tall tale of Ladybug Girl and her sidekick Bumblebee Boy when I noticed that the graphic novel selection was swelling. For those uninitiated among you, “graphic novel” is the modern name for comic books. These are not comic books in the vein of Archie & Veronica, Superman and numerous characters with whom many of us grew up. No, these come in true book form, including hardcover.
Not to be outdone, I later saw that the graphic novel and comic book section at our local library is also slowly expanding. Whether it’s Sonic the Hedgehog or a reworked version of Treasure Island starring The Muppets, there’s no missing that graphic novels are rising in popularity and story lines.
With the uncomplicated language and use of all upper-case letters, snazzy design, simple graphics and colorful imagery I understand why these grab the attention of children, they certainly grab mine. Many students are struggling to read with teachers doing their best to help. I can even see how these graphic novels might be used to get children who otherwise might resist reading, especially boys, into reading.
Then comes along “The Adventures of Ook and Gluk, Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future.” I browsed through a copy and was horrified with what I discovered. This book is loaded with intentional misspellings. And I’m disappointed to say that my reaction to that is not only is it unnecessary but, as also included in the book, “what the?” I am not alone in my shock. Checking out parent reviews on Amazon.com indicated that many moms also do not understand why it was necessary for this book to use poor grammar and spelling when the same story could have been told in a fun and engaging way for young boy readers (the target audience) with proper English.
My questions for you this week:
- Should graphic novels be used as a stepping stone to reading chapter books?
- A common response is that these sorts of books elicit interest, especially among boys, in reading. What do you think?
- Do these materials help or hinder imagination in children?
- Do you think the intentional use of ALL CAPS and pore grammar and speling improves student reading skills and academic success?
As a former special education high school teacher and mother of Kindergarten, second, and fourth grade students I can tell you I have had my own qualms with graphic novels and determined for myself it all depends on the child/young adult reader. My own son (now a fourth grader) was an avid reader of Captain Underpants novels. At first, I was dismayed as these books enacted every conversation I would send my son to the bathroom to talk about instead of at the table. Then a wise parent of older children told me, if he is still interested in these books by age 10 – 12, then maybe you need to worry. . . well, guess what, he is now 10 and has not cracked them open in ages and is totally embarrassed by his kindergarten brother, who now is beginning to be interested in Captain Underpants, and my elder son has become a voracious reader. . . with not so shabby manners and no “potty” mouth! And my second grade daughter did the same with Junie B. Jones., another character with not always the best intentions or manners, but well worth family conversations and discussions. I do feel there is a place in the literary world for graphic novels and novels with characters that I don’t always see as favorable in all situations.
Over 70 years ago my mom and dad worked in a grocery store and meat market in a small town, My sister and I took care of ourselves every Saturday because Saturday was a big day at the store. All the farmers came into town for groceries and “dry goods”. We had to take care of ourselves – but my mother first had us buy 10 comic books ($.10 each). We read all ten – then shared them with each other and our friends. My husband was one of the boys who we gave the old comic books to when we had finished them – and he read them all and shared them.
I have my MA in reading and have worked in education for many years. My husband was an administrator in a middle school.
I don’t think it “hurt” us in the olden days. Have some things changed?
I use Graphic Novels in my high school classroom to illustrate (pun intended) that reading comes in all forms, and to be literate also includes the ability to navigate the meaning behind images, and the symbols common in storytelling of all kinds. I notice when I use them with my weaker readers, they mostly look at the pictures, but they also may try to read some of the easier, or shorter captions. Even this limited exposure to the written word these days is progress in my opinion. I use anything from Illustrated Shakespeare to the Marvel super heroes to the historical works by Howard Zinn and Art Spiegelman. My only concern is the level of violence and objectification of women (explicit materials) in many of the books. Careful selection is important before letting them lose in the classroom. Some of these books, although taught in class may include the one paragraph or two of a love scene, may keep students too occupied on those pages in a Graphic Novel version.