Easy Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers, ages 5 to 7. 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 7, I’ve included a range of easy graphic novels for beginning readers.
There are easy books that are great for pre-readers and kids just getting started reading. There are also books at first and second grade reading levels, as well as a few slightly more challenging books for advanced beginners. The content in all of these easy graphic novels is appropriate for kids between the ages of 4 and 8.
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Easy Graphic Novels for Beginning Readers
Owly & Wormy, Friends All Aflutter!
(Grade Level: PreK - 2) This mostly wordless graphic novel is great for both pre-readers and beginning readers. Kids can narrate the story using the pictures. (40 Pages)
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. If you like this one, be sure to check out Owly and Wormy in Bright Lights & Starry Nights too.
The Way Home (Owly #1)
(Grade Level: 1 - 3) 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! (160 pages)
Owly is such a loveable character - always helpful, always kind. This is a character you can't help but love. I can't wait for more in this series!
Petal and Poppy (Green Light Readers Level 2)
(Grade Level K - 3) This adorable easy-reader is written in comic book style and is sure to steal your little reader's heart. Petal is a quirky, nervous elephant and Poppy is an adventurous and funny rhino - they make the perfect pair. (32 pages)
There are currently 4 books in the series, including Petal and Poppy and the Spooky Halloween.
Don't Worry, Bee Happy: An Acorn Book (Bumble and Bee)
(Grade Level K - 1) 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)
(Grade Level 2-3) Eeeep! These are 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)
There's only one so far, but I anticipate more.
Fish Feud! (Squidding Around #1)
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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! (96 pages)
There's only one so far, but I anticipate more.
Pea, Bee, & Jay #1: Stuck Together
(Grade Level 1 - 4) 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
(Grade Level: 1 - 4) 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)
(Grade Level: PreK - 2) This is a cute wordless graphic novel about a boy and his imaginary friend, a big purple monster. (32 Pages)
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
(Grade Level: K -3) 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)
Grade Level (1 - 2) 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. (64 pages)
Little Robot
(Grade Level: 1 - 3) 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. (144 pages)
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea (A Narwhal and Jelly Book #1)
(Grade Level: 1 - 4) 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.
A Trip to the Bottom of the World with Mouse: TOON Level 1 (Trips with Mouse)
TOON Books are a phenomenal series of comics for kids written by a variety of well known authors/illustrators. They have different reading levels for kids from ages 3 to 12. I've included some of our favorites here, but if you have a graphic novel lover, be sure to check out all of the TOON books.
(Grade Level: PreK - 3) We love these Trips with Mouse books! They're great to read along with new readers with plenty of sight words for them to practice. The illustrations are fantastic. (36 pages)
Little Mouse Gets Ready: TOON Level 1
Another TOON Book (Grade Level PreK - 2) Little Mouse is getting dressed to go the barn, but when he's all done his dear mother reminds him that mice don't actually wear clothes. Jeff Smith is my kids' favorite graphic novel author! (32 Pages)
If you love this one, be sure to check out Jack and the Box by Art Spiegelman too!
Benjamin Bear in Fuzzy Thinking: TOON Level 2
Another TOON Book (Grade Level K-2) Benjamin Bear, with all of his silly gag jokes, makes my kids laugh out loud. Simple enough for most 1st and 2nd graders to read on their own. (32 pages)
If your readers fall in love with this one, make sure to get more of Benjamin Bear in Bright Ideas and Brain Storms too.
Benny and Penny in the Big No-No!: TOON Level 2
A TOON Book (Grade Level K - 2) Benny and Penny are mice siblings and in this cute little story they follow a set of mysterious footprints over a fence trying to figure out if their new neighbor is a monster or a friend. Simple to read dialogue. (32 pages)
Catch more of this sibling duo in The Toy Breaker.
Luke on the Loose: TOON Level 2
A TOON Book (Grade Level K - 2) While Luke's father is having a boring conversation with an adult friend at the park, Luke starts looking for pigeons. Before you know it, you're on a New York City adventure. (32 Pages)
GOOD NIGHT, PLANET: TOON Level 2 (TOON Books, Level 2)
A TOON Book (Grade Level K - 2) A great story about what the toys do after the kids go to sleep - a subject that is endlessly fascinating to my children. (36 pages)
Otto's Backwards Day: TOON Level 3 (Otto the Cat)
A TOON Book (Grade Level 2 -3) This one is a little more advanced, with more words in longer sentences. The TOON Level 3 books are excellent for an advanced beginner reader. (32 Pages)
In this one, Otto and his robot sidekick discover an upside down world where the rats chase the cats and people where their underwear outside their clothes. If you like Otto's antics, also check out Otto's Orange Day.
Peter & Ernesto: A Tale of Two Sloths
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (128 pages)
There are 3 books in this series.
Fox & Chick: The Party: and Other Stories
Grade Level (1 - 3) 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!
(Grade Level K - 3) This 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. (72 pages)
Good Rosie!
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (32 pages)
Noodlehead Nightmares (Noodleheads)
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (48 pages)
The best news is that there are 5 books in the series too!
InvestiGators (InvestiGators (1))
{Grade Level: 2 - 4) 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)
(Grade Level PreK - 2) 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! (40 pages)
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)
(Grade level K - 2) 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! (48 pages)
Hamster and Cheese: Book 1 (Guinea PIG, Pet Shop Private Eye)
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (48 pages)
Hilda and the Troll: Book 1 (Hildafolk)
(Grade Level 3 and up) We LOVE Hilda at our house! They're perfect for the advanced beginning reader. (40 pages)
Hilda is the most lovable heroine - always looking for an adventure! If you like this one, be sure to check out The Midnight Giant and The Bird Parade, as well as Hilda on Netflix too!
The Flying Beaver Brothers: Birds vs. Bunnies
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (96 pages)
Check out all the Flying Beaver Brothers books!
Mr. Pants: It's Go Time!
(Grade Level 1 - 3) 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. (128 pages)
Binky the Space Cat (A Binky Adventure)
(Grade Level 2 - 5) 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. (64 pages)
Babymouse #1: Queen of the World!
(Grade Level 2 - 5) 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. (96 pages)
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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