Stories in the Panels- Our new booklist on Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga
Stories in the Panels – The New Graphics, Comics and Manga Booklist
NNFN Co-ordinator, Jasmine Brown and NSSM Co-ordinator, Louisa Farrow, have been collaborating on re-creating our booklists for the National Year of Reading. Stories in the Panels is the newest booklist and we are pleased to say it is ready to download from our website.
Jasmine has written about why these lists are so important as well as her thoughts on graphic novels, comics and manga books.
In the National Year of Reading, we have planned to update as many of our booklists as we can to fully support children and teenagers with their reading choices. Outside of Non-fiction November, I found that I could be doing more to help the FCBG – so I took on the extra role of updating some of the booklists. One of my goals for the updated lists was to bring forward books that are new, books that might’ve been overlooked or hidden gems. I hope that this booklist helps you pick a new favourite!
Personally, I love graphic novels, manga and comics. I see them as an art form and a more expressive way of telling a story. It is why I think that they are so popular with the children that I work with. Children and teenagers are very expressive beings, high strung with emotions that they can’t quite put into words. Graphic novels help them to visualise their issues. Mental health, LGBTQIA+ themes, or family issues are often woven into the graphic novels. They are brilliant for visual literacy and for those that can’t quite imagine stories in their heads. This format is especially brilliant for reluctant readers or those with reading struggles. They bridge the gap between picture books and chapter books, the fonts are often incredibly clear and the stories have heart.
When selecting the books for this list, it was tricky! There are so many brilliant graphic novels, comics and manga to choose from. I tried to find books that fit different genres or seriousness of the story (some are quite sad, whilst others are fantasy adventures and cheerful!). I also tried to think what I would want to find on the list if I was new to graphic novels and had no idea where to begin.
On the list, I have placed a few books that you might know such as Carnegie Shadowers Choice Winner for Illustration Homebody by Theo Parish, but I have also included books that are new as well as books that have been circulating in chats with the children I work with. (The manga and comics section of my school library is the most popular by far!) I took some suggestions from these children too – Splatoon and The Babysitters Club came up in conversation a lot!
The other choices I made from my own reading experience are based on what kinds of stories have been popular. Adventure, magic, mental health, animal stories, friendship, and questing are very popular themes in graphic novels, comics and manga. I hope that this new list can help you (and the children you help) try some new stories and enjoy them.
