Awesome Comic Books You Can Read With Your Kids
There are a number of different ways to relate to your children. Reading can be an ideal way to take them on adventures and teach them new things. But for some parents, comic books could be preferable to reading standard books. There are so many great comics out there and it can be tough to figure out which one is perfect for you and your child. Here's a diverse list of comic books to dive into-- which storyline will your kid love the most?
The Cardboard Kingdom By Chad Sell
Kids today are extraordinarily focused on phones and video games. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell reflects on a simpler time when kids would use their imagination to make the world their oyster.
The graphic novel, written in 2018, focuses on an outdoor adventure where kids use their imaginations to win the day. The result is a book which will encourage your kids to get outside and turn everyday materials into things that are non-traditional and fun.
Bone By Jeff Smith
When Jeff Smith began writing his comic book Bone back in 1991, he may have been surprised to see that the tale still resonates nearly 30 years later. The story, which focuses on Phoney, Smiley and Fone Bone has been entertaining readers since day one.
Each of the bones has their own unique personalities and have gone on a multitude of adventures. There are a number of stories for new readers to jump into at any time.
Anya's Ghost By Vera Brosgol
Death and the afterlife can be a confusing and overwhelming subject for children and pre-teens. Author Vera Brosgol attempts to demystify the subject for young readers with her graphic novel, Anya's Ghost. In the tale, the lead character Anya encounters a ghost of a girl who had died 90 years beforehand.
The ghost named Emily helps Anya to come to grips with the difficulty of being a preteen and teaches her to value the opportunity to live her life.
Garfield By Jim Davis
Garfield was a very popular comic when most parents were their children's age. Writer and cartoonist Jim Davis is still pumping out the tales of the cat who loves both naps and lasagna in equal measure.
If your child really loves Garfield, there are no shortages of books that the two of you can read together. In addition to the books, there have been a number of Garfield television shows as well as a live action movie with Bill Murray.
Lumberjanes By Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn A. Allen, And Noelle Stevenson
Is your child in the market for some awesome female role models? If so, Lumberjanes may be the perfect book for them. The series was created back in 2014 by Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis, Brooklyn Allen, and Noelle Stevenson.
The comic, of which there are now 60 issues, focuses on the adventures of a quintet of girls who attend Miss Qiunzella Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet's Camp for Hardcore Lady Types. The girls get into adventures ranging from the mundane to the supernatural.
All Summer Long By Hope Larson
It can be a confusing time for kids who are entering their teenage years. Lucky for parents, there are some great books out there that can help show kids they are not alone. All Summer Long by Hope Larson features lead character Bina as she begins to experience all of the hard parts of turning 13.
While her relationship with her best friend Austin begins to change, Bina discovers music and it becomes an important outlet for her during this strange stage.
Margo Maloo Series By Drew Weing
Unlike their parents, today's kids don't necessarily need to read their comics in paperback form. There are plenty of webcomics that kids can easily access on their laptops and iPads. The Margo Maloo series by Drew Weing is one of these.
The books follow Margo's adventures as she explores the supernatural goings-on in her hometown of Echo City. The latest book finds Margo investigating the vegans who inhabit the local mall.
DC Super Hero Girls Created By Shea Fontana, Lisa Yee, And Aria Moffly
Rather than creating their own new characters, DC decided to just re-imagine the exploits of some of their most revered superheroes. The vision, created by Shea Fontana, Lisa Yee, and Aria Moffly has become something of a phenomenon.
If the young readers enjoy these comics, there are plenty more ways for them to experience the characters. The comic will introduce young readers to such DC heroines as Batgirl, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Supergirl.
Hey Kiddo By Jarrett Krosoczka
While some comics are chock full of action and adventure, others hope to tackle more sensitive issues. The lives of many children today are affected in some way by addiction.
Whether it affects a parent, a family member, or a friend, Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka could help kids to better understand the disease. The story is Krosoczka's own as he lost his Mother to addiction when he was younger. The subject, while affecting, is handled in a delicate way.
Drama By Raina Telgemeier
It is much easier to speak with children about LGBTQ issues than it was even just a few years ago. Some parents, however, could use a book to help them address the sometimes sensitive subject.
Raina Telgemeier's Drama features a number of queer and questioning characters. Telgemeier has become a renowned author heavily due to her ability to weave LGBTQ stories in a way that is accessible for parents and especially for children who could be coming to grips with their own sexuality.
Lil' Gotham By Derek Fridolfs And Dustin Nguyen
Many of the characters that parents grew up with may have taken dark turns that make their books not quite appropriate for young children. Lil' Gotham allows kids to read about characters like Batman in a way that is tailored towards them.
The book, created by Derek Fridolfs and Dustin Nguyen heavily features Damian Wayne, son of Batman, who was introduced in the early 2000s. The book also makes great use of Batman's Rogues Gallery and other familiar faces from Gotham City.
Smile By Raina Telgemeier
Smile is the second book by kid author phenomenon Raina Telgameier. The book, like most of her other works, takes place in the anxious and confusing world of Junior High School.
The book's protagonist, also named Raina, has to navigate a troubling year as she deals with an earthquake and two-faced friends all while managing two broken front teeth and terrible looking dental aids. The book, considered by many the be Telgemeier's best, can help guide kids through a tough time.
March By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin And Nate Powell
Comic books don't have to be all fun and games. Some of them can even teach your kid an important lesson about history. March is the story of Congressman John Lewis, told alongside writer Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell.
Lewis is an integral figure in the Civil Rights movement as he marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The creators had originally chosen the comic book medium as they felt it could be the best way to teach the story of the movement to younger readers.
The Shark King By R. Kikuo Johnson
Do you have a kid who really loved Disney's Moana? The comic book, The Shark King, could be a great resource to help them to continue learning about Hawaii and the state's folklore.
The story, created, written and illustrated by R. Kikuo Johnson, hopes to teach readers about the region while at the same time initiating conversation. The book has been aimed at the youngest of readers and is a perfect place to begin a love for comic books.
Luke On The Loose By Henry Bliss
Yet another TOON Book aimed at early readers, Luke on the Loose takes place in Central Park in New York City. Luke, who was accompanying his Father as he did "boring adult-stuff" is able to briefly escape and discover the wonders of the park.
Luke's story is one of discovering New York City as his frantic Father tries to track him down. Of course, the two are eventually reunited but not before Luke has his share of fun.
Little Mouse Gets Ready By Jeff Smith
This is the second time that a book by Jeff Smith has made the list. The cartoonist, famous for Bone, targeted younger readers with Little Mouse Gets Ready. The comic is meant to help early readers discover a love for books.
The story focuses on Little Mouse's attempts to get ready to leave the house. While some of the tasks may be new for the little guy, he performs all of them with a focused determination.
Dinosaurs In Space By Pranas T. Naujokaitis
Kids really love learning about dinosaurs. They are also super intrigued by what goes on in outer space. Creator Pranas T. Naujokaitis had the brilliant idea to combine kids' two favorite things in a fun and adventurous comic.
The book, which features three different stories, takes place on Planet Meatball. It is designed for kids who are just getting ready to start reading on their own so it could be the perfect tale to read together before your child can eventually start to read it by themselves.
Sci-Fu By Yehudi Mercado
You may be noticing a theme with these books so far. The authors tend to love a lot of different things and then combine all those loves into one coherent storyline that appeals to children.
In Sci-Fu, creator Yehudi Mercado's love for space, hip-hop and bright colors are evident in the space opera. Not only is the story interesting and fun, but Mercado also has a brilliant art style that is sure to catch a kid's eye.
The Prince And The Dressmaker By Jen Wang
While there are a million timeless fairy tales that you can read with your children, sometimes you want to show them something a little bit different. Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker offers a very different take on the traditional story.
The main character, Prince Sebastian yearns to get involved with the world of fashion rather than giving into his parent's wishes. The story will also give kids a history lesson as it takes place in historical Paris.
Ultimate Spider-Man By Brian Michael Bendis And Mark Bagley
In the year 2000, Marvel Comics realized that their characters may not have been resonating with younger readers in the way they hoped. To help alleviate this issue, the company rebooted Spider-Man and took him back to his teenage years.
The early part of the series featured Peter Parker as Spider-Man since the very first day. By the end of the series, though, Bendis created a new Spider-Man in Miles Morales. If your kid loves the books, they'll certainly love 2018's movie Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, which features Morales as the main character.
