Easy Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers, ages 5 to 8. These are an engaging alternative to standard easy readers and kids love them!
I think it's safe to say that most kids are inexplicably drawn to graphic novel style books. When we go to the library, my kids make a beeline to the graphic novel/comic book shelf every time!
Easy graphic novels are especially great for kids just learning to read. Not only do they have that magnetic appeal for kids, but they're a really engaging alternative to standard easy reader books.
My 6 year old, who sometimes gives me trouble about reading practice, has recently developed a love for graphic novels (following in his sisters' footsteps!). I've been scouring the library shelves and bookstores for more Easy Graphic Novels that he can engage with. Luckily, we've found some really fun graphic novels for beginning readers!
Because reading levels vary greatly between the ages of 5 and 8, I've included a range of easy graphic novels for beginning readers. All of these Easy Graphic Novels can help kids practice developing reading skills and nurture a love for reading and books.
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Easy Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers
Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell (Scaredy's Nutty Adventures)
These are funny, simple stories about a squirrel who is scared of many things and has to figure out elaborate coping strategies. My 8 year old loves these! (3 Books in the series)
Beware the Claw! (Hound Heroes #1) (1)
A funny graphic novel series about Superhero Dogs who got their super powers when a spaceship crashed to earth in their backyard.
Giants Beware! (The Chronicles of Claudette)
This fun fairytale adventure series follows Claudette, a girl who dreams of slaying a giant but lives in a safe, quiet village where giants never roam.
Fitz and Cleo (A Fitz and Cleo Book, 1)
My son is always laughing out loud when he reads about these two ghost siblings who do heartwarming things like go to the beach together and adopt a cat. Realy cute series!
Dinosaurs Before Dark Graphic Novel (Magic Tree House (R))
So many kids love the Magic Tree House books and I'm so happy that it's now a graphic novel adventure too! These are really well done - I probably like them more than the original books.
Sparks!
Sparks looks and acts like a heroic dog, but he's actually two cats wearing a mechanical dog disguise. So fun!
Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds (Arlo & Pips, 1)
Arlo is a super smart crow with a cute little yellow bird friend named Pip. The two of them adventure together in this series and it's always fun to see what they're going to do next. I also love all the crow facts included throughout the books.
The Mr. Wolf's Class
This is a really cute series about Mr. Wolf and his fourth grade class. I love the illustration style in this one and so do my kids.
Cat Kid Comic Club: A Graphic Novel (Cat Kid Comic Club #1)
Another hit series from Dav Pilkey! Cat Kid and his sidekick Molly are running a comic club for a group of frog children. Super funny!
The First Case (1) (Pup Detectives)
This is currently my son's favorite series! A group of elementary school puppies solve mysteries and they're always super fun.
Bird & Squirrel On the Run!: A Graphic Novel (Bird & Squirrel #1)
Squirrel is afraid of everything. Bird is afraid of nothing. And Cat, well Cat wants to eat both of them. This is a hilarious series.
Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!
This mostly wordless graphic novel is great for both pre-readers and beginning readers. Kids can narrate the story using the pictures.
With bright, full color pictures, young readers will have so much fun with Owly and Wormy as they try to figure out why they only attract chubby green bugs instead of butterflies.
The Way Home (Owly #1)
This new Owly series is a little longer and has a few more words than Owly & Wormy, but they're easy to read. We used to love the old Owly books and this new, revamped version with bright, colorful illustrations is fantastic!
Owly is such a loveable character - always helpful, always kind. This is a character you can't help but love.
Don't Worry, Bee Happy: An Acorn Book (Bumble and Bee)
Bumble and Bee are buzzing with energy and excitement. Their best friend Froggy is, well, less excited. While he'd like to sit quietly in the pond, Bumble and Bee are always ready for some fun. They're such a fun trio! (48 Pages)
There are 3 books in the series, and I'm hoping there will be more!
Fancy Friends: A Graphic Novel (Bunbun & Bonbon #1)
Eeeep! This is so cute, with simple text and bright colorful illustrations. Bunbun is an adorable little bunny, but she's friendless until she meets Bonbon. Bonbon is about to teach Bunbun how to be "fancy." My girls get all squealy over this one. (64 pages)
Fish Feud! (Squidding Around #1)
Squizzard may be a little squid, but he has a really big personality. His favorite thing to do is joke around with this best friend, a shark named Toothy. It's super funny!
Pea, Bee, & Jay #1: Stuck Together
Yes, it's a pea, a bee, and a bluejay. They are an unlikely trio, but it totally works. These books are FANTASTIC. They are delightfully funny, but also have a great message in them. I love the illustrations.
If you love this one, be sure to check out #2 in the series, Pea, Bee & Jay: Wannabees.
Baloney and Friends
We love Greg Pizzoli's books and couldn't be happier about this new easy graphic novel. Baloney the pig, Peanut the horse, and Bizz the bumblebee are the perfect reading companions, and will inspire a lot of laughter.
My kids love that there are how-to-draw instructions at the end of the book too!
Andrew the Seeker (Game for Adventure)
This is a cute wordless graphic novel about a boy and his imaginary friend, a big purple monster.
If you're looking for more wordless graphic novels, check out Belinda the Unbeatable, also in the Game for Adventure series.
Betty's Burgled Bakery: An Alliteration Adventure
Get ready for lot's of alliteration in this adorable graphic novel mystery. Betty's Bakery has been burgled and the Gumshoe Zoo detective agency is determined to find those pilfered pastries. (40 pages)
If you enjoy this clever comic, you'll also like Fowl Play: A Mystery Told in Idioms.
My Kite is Stuck! and Other Stories (A Duck, Duck, Porcupine Book)
All three of the Duck, Duck Porcupine Books in this series are excellent graphic novels for beginning readers. They follow the cute adventures of a Big Duck, a silent but smart little duck, and a porcupine.
Little Robot
Ben Hatke knocks it out of the park with this one! Beautifully illustrated, it tells the story of a young girl who finds a robot in the woods. They become fast friends, but some big bad robots are coming to take him back! It's a fun little adventure.
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1)
Kids LOVE these books! Narwhal is the fun loving, happy-go-lucky character, so it only makes sense that Narwhal's best buddy is a no-nonsense jellyfish. What they do have in common is that they both love waffles.
These two will have your little readers laughing out loud as they buzz through the pages. And, good news! There are already 4 books in the series.
Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths
These two sloth buddies are best friends, but they're nothing alike. When Ernesto decides to go on a world-travelling adventure, Peter decides to stay home . What's wonderful about this book, however, is how it portrays two very different characters learning how to appreciate each other.
There are 3 books in this series.
Fox & Chick: The Party: and Other Stories
Fox and Chick should be enemies, but despite all their differences, they still manage to be pretty good friends. I love the dry humor in this one!
If you like Fox and Chick, also check out The Quiet Boat Ride.
Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!
his quirky book is a laugh-out-loud winner. My 6 year old can't get enough of it! Chick and Brain are a weird little duo, but beginning readers will love them. This book is proof that we've come a long way from those boring old Dick and Jane readers.
Good Rosie!
From beloved author Kate DiCamillo, an absolutely charming graphic novel for beginning readers about a darling dog named Rosie. She's a really good dog, but more than anything, she just wants another dog friend.
Noodlehead Nightmares (Noodleheads)
By the same author who brought us Fly Guy, this funny series of easy graphic novels is a kid-pleaser. Mac and Mac are noodles, which means their heads are hollow and their much smarter friend, Meatball, loves to take advantage.
The best news is that there are 5 books in the series too!
InvestiGators (InvestiGators (1))
Two super spy alligators named Mango and Brash solve ridiculous mysteries while using toilet travel and other highly sophisticated spy technology. It's just the thing kid's go crazy for.
There are currently 3 books in the series.
Ogres Awake! (Adventures in Cartooning)
When a girl knight and her horse discover three ogres asleep just outside the castle, they have to figure out how to save the kingdom. This is a fantastic easy-to-read adventure!
If you love this one, you're in luck! The author has two more: Sleepless Knight and Hocus Focus.
Do You Like My Bike? (Hello, Hedgehog! #1)
All three books in the Hello Hedgehog Series have been big hits with my 6 year old. They are the perfect alternative to a standard reader and the graphic novel format is so fun!
Hamster and Cheese: Book 1 (Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye)
There are 5 books in this fun detective series - your little reader will LOVE them!
Sasspants PI(G) is a super smart guinea pig detective and along with her sidekick, Hamisher the Hamster, she can solve any pet shop mystery.
The Flying Beaver Brothers: Birds vs. Bunnies
There's a whole series of the Flying Beaver Brothers' adventures and your young reader will love them. In this one, the brothers sail out to an island for some peace and quiet but the birds and bunnies won't let them be.
Check out all the Flying Beaver Brothers books!
Mr. Pants: It's Go Time!
There are 4 books in the Mr. Pant's series and they're all laugh-out-loud funny! In this one, Mr. Pants just wants to play laser tag, but his little sisters have their hearts set on Fairy Princess Dream Factory. The solution is quite funny.
Binky the Space Cat (A Binky Adventure)
There are 5 books in the Binky Series. Binky thinks he is space cat, but really he's just an ordinary house cat that's never left the house. My kids love these books.
Babymouse #1: Queen of the World!
Get ready to fall in love with Babymouse - it's nearly impossible not too! Best of all, there are 20 books in the series! Babymouse wants glamour and excitement and by golly, she's going to get it.
If you found this list of Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers helpful, you may also enjoy these posts:
- Read Aloud Books for First Grade
- Read Aloud Books for Second Grade
- Beginner Chapter Books for Independent Readers
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