A recent conversation with my eight-year-old drew my attention to the hidden complexities of graphic novels. From her explanation of decoding visual layouts to blending text and art, I was rather in awe of her insight. It also reminded me how easy it is for parents to become “snobby” about how our children consume stories, whether through comics, graphic novels or audiobooks. Over time, I’ve grown to appreciate the rich literacy benefits of diverse reading habits. Here is why these less traditional formats deserve a spot on your child’s bookshelf—and why it’s time to dispel a few myths about what counts as “reading”.
Myth 1 – Audiobooks are cheating
To change your mind about this one I am going to have to go back a very, very long way in history. One of the most well-known stories of all time, Homer’s The Odyssey, was originally composed around 7th century BC. You may have come across it in Christopher Nolan’s recent star-studded screen adaption, such is its enduring agelessness. The epic tale was passed down through a rich oral storytelling tradition and only recorded in written form many centuries later. Oral storytelling predates written traditions and can be traced to every culture, in every age. That is a lot of history to simply dismiss because Western culture has elevated written traditions to more lofty heights.
My youngest daughter is an avid audiobook listener,. She can often be seen wandering from room-to-room, sporting headphones and lost in the story in her ears. She was slow to embrace physical books, and I initially worried she’d become overly reliant on listening. In reality, the opposite was true. Though a strong reader early on, dense pages tired her brain. Audiobooks kept her love of stories alive. That deep foundation gave her the stamina to persevere with print.
Today, she often falls asleep with a open book on her face, driven by a desperate need to know what happens next. She also boasts a remarkably sophisticated vocabulary. She recently gave a matter-of-fact lesson to her older sisters on the meaning of “savour” while I stood in the background suppressing a smile. Audiobooks aren’t cheating; they are simply another rich way to build vocabulary, comprehension, and empathy through the power of story.
Myth 2 – Graphic novels aren’t really reading
I’m a relatively prolific reader of prose and I will admit I struggle to read graphic novels. Perhaps I’m just a bit of a purist when it comes to reading but it doesn’t mean my preference is the “right way” to read. I’m always surprised by how quickly my kids race through graphic novels and pass them onto the next sibling, resembling a sort of literary conveyor belt. My top tip: borrow graphic novels from the library. They’re not cheap and kids get through them quickly. We have a few favourites for the kids to reread but mostly we just borrow them.
In an age of technology, I will defend any reading as good and acceptable. My children have churned through many of the popular graphic novel series – The Babysitters Club and other Raina Telgemeier favourites, anything by Remy Lai (our copy of Pawcasso is appropriately “dog-eared”), the Tryout series and many more.
Graphic novels offer benefits that text-only books often can’t. With limited space, every word is carefully chosen, delivering rich vocabulary alongside visual context that aids decoding. They tackle real-world, relatable issues and give young readers the quick reward of finishing a complete narrative, boosting their confidence to read—and re-read. Have I sold you yet? Graphic novels might just be the ultimate gateway to engaging your reluctant reader.
Myth 3 – Easy-read, formulaic series are “bad books”
I have to start this section with a confession: I was a parent who regularly turned my nose up at series such as Rainbow Magic and Magic Animal Friends. Painfully formulaic and written by a collective of ghostwriters, using the pseudonym Daisy Meadows, each book follows a highly predictable storyline. I read a few of them out loud to my daughters until I refused on the basis that I was personally going to end Jack Frost if he stole one more fairy’s special item!
Undeterred by my disdainful criticism, my eldest daughter went on to read every book in the series she could get her hands on. When she exhausted the library’s shelves, I reluctantly turned to Facebook Marketplace to hunt down local cast-offs. I don’t recall her reading anything else for her entire Kindergarten year. My youngest daughter followed suit, listening to as many of these stories as she could find on audiobook. She even convinced me to buy sets of them on Audible, against my better judgment.
But looking back, my knee-jerk dismissal of books I deemed “unliterary” missed the bigger picture: they were actually a springboard into a rich, diverse reading life. When kids are young and decoding text is hard work, a predictable storyline lightens the cognitive load. There’s also deep comfort in knowing how a story will end. As adults, how often do we rewatch a favorite TV show just for the familiar characters and guaranteed comfort? In a world that can feel overwhelming, why deny children that pure, safe escapism? Both my daughters eventually moved on from Rainbow Magic to richer, more complex stories. But, I will never again underestimate the power of those “easy reads” in building a foundational love for reading. And I don’t say anything when I catch them sitting quietly, paging nostalgically through Scarlett the Garnet Fairy or Thea the Thursday Fairy.
I love watching my children become unique readers and find the genres and formats that make them want to turn to stories time and time again. Over the years, I have learned to question my own prejudices and appreciate any time they are embracing a literary life over screens and other distractions. Sometimes, I think we can underestimate children’s abilities to make good choices and know their own taste. I have come to a place where I can accept that perhaps I was a little hard on Jack Frost after all.