All Books Graphic

Several years ago, graphic novels rocked the literary world. They immediately found an eager audience in pre-teens to adults. No subject was too sensitive, silly, or substantial. Kids who didn’t especially love to read inhaled graphic novels.

As with all innovation, it didn’t stop with one age group. Soon we saw Baby Mouse by Jennifer and Matthew Holm. Lunch Ladies by Jarrett Krosoczka, and later Hey, Kiddo. Captain Underpants, then Dogman by Dav Pilkey. Don Brown creates graphic nonfiction. Ben Clanton writes Narwhal and Jelly books. And now, easy readers, as well as some emergent books use the features of graphics or comics.

Why is this genre so appealing to readers? The dialogue is immediate and takes children directly into the story or explanation. They are able to read many pages in a relatively short period of time. Although, once readers begin a graphic book, they often don’t put it down until they read it all, cover to cover. The illustrations help them visualize what they’re reading and also serve as a cuing system to help decipher more difficult vocabulary.

I’ve read scores of these books, but felt that perhaps I would never be able to write one because quite often a graphic presentation is written and illustrated by the same person. And I have no art ability whatsoever! Finally, I took a chance. I played with several characters in different settings until I found two who grabbed my heart and my funny bone. Since I love to write for the youngest child, that’s what I wrote. The first book will debut this December. And soon I will be able to say and show more.

For now, I’m excited just knowing my words will reach many young readers and, hopefully, make them laugh. What could be better?!