comics | betsybeadhead

Do you have a child who is having a hard time reading? Do you want to transition them away from comic books to slightly more challenging material? Here’s a good starting place. These books (many are series) have many simply-drawn illustrations – some several per page.

Angleberger, Tom- Origami Yoda (series)
Bolling, Ruben- EMU club (series)
Brallier, Max- Galactic Hot Dogs (series)
Cronin, Doreen- Into the Wild
Fry, Michael- The Odd Squad (series)
Kinney, Jeff- Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series)
McMullan, Kate- School! Adventures at the Harvey N. Trouble elementary school
Patterson, James- Middle School (series)
Peirce, Lincoln- Big Nate (series)
Pilkey, Dav- Captain Underpants (series)
Pinchon, Liz- The Brilliant World of Tom Gates
Russell, Rachel Renee- The Dork Diaries (series)
Skye, Obert – Creature from my closet (series)
Smith, James- Barry Loser (series) includes “I am still not a loser” and “I am so over being a loser”
Stilton, Geronimo- Geronimo Stilton (series)
Watson, Tom- Stick Dog (series) and Stick Cat

Here’s a short list of some illustrated books that I’ve enjoyed, that you might too. Many of them explain or discuss something very deep in a very good way.

The arrival Tan, Shaun.

What it is like to be a foreigner. This deeply moving, beautiful book tells a story without words, illustrating how hard it is to fit in if you don’t speak the language. This applies even to those situations where people do speak the language, but just don’t fit in.

How to understand Israel in 60 days or less Glidden, Sarah.

Follows a young Jewish woman who goes to Israel on her birthright trip. She thinks about the problems in Israel from many sides, and like in reality, comes to no resolution.

Marbles : mania, depression, Michelangelo, & me : a graphic memoir Forney, Ellen.

Mental health from the side of a mental health consumer. Raw and honest.

Harvey : how I became invisible Bouchard, Hervé, 1963-

A young boy experiences the grief of his father’s death.

Kampung boy: Lat.

A story about a young Islamic Malaysian boy as he grows up in a village.

Star Wars : Tag & Bink were here Rubio, Kevin.

This one is just funny. It is about two storm troopers who always seem to be in the wrong place at the right time.

When Wanderers Cease to Roam: A Traveler’s Journal of Staying Put by Vivian Swift
ISBN-13: 978-1596914612

Gorgeous watercolor illustrations of a year in a small town. A feast for the soul.

The Principles of Uncertainty by Maira Kalman ISBN-13: 978-0143116462

An illustrated journal of sorts by one of my favorite minimalist artists. Beautiful and sad and wonderful.