Early Graphic Novels

The titles on this list represent some of the favorites from our Early Graphic Novels section, home to books that hit the sweet spot right in between Elephant & Piggie and Dog Man.

Updated April 13, 2023
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
King of the birds
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
Perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly, Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds is the first in a new early graphic chapter book series about the friendship between Arlo, an arrogant crow, and a sarcastic little bird named Pips.  Like most crows, Arlo has a big...
Join the crow crowd!
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
Everyone's crowing about Arlo & Pips, with Kirkus praising book 1 as "a perfect match for newly independent readers"!  Arlo is lonely and is looking for more friends in the city. This second book in the quirky graphic chapter book series from acclaimed author...
Baloney and friends
Pizzoli, Greg
Paper Book
Meet Baloney! This book is about him. And also Peanut the horse, his best friend. There's Bizz the bumblebee, too, of course. And Krabbit. He'd rather not be here, but what can you do? In this graphic novel for young readers, watch our pig protagonist perform some questionable magic, cheer him on as...
Cranky Chicken
Battersby, Katherine
Paper Book
Narwhal and Jelly meet The Bad Guys in this brightly illustrated, downright hilarious chapter book graphic novel full of "sweet, wholesome fun" (BCCB) about what happens when a very cranky chicken is befriended by a very cheerful worm. Cranky Chicken is, well,...
Sir Ladybug
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
From Caldecott Honoree and two-time Geisel Award-winning author-illustrator Corey R. Tabor, this is a fresh and funny young graphic novel series sure to delight readers. Perfect for fans of Catwad, Bird & Squirrel, and Narwhal & Jelly. Ladies and gentlebugs, presenting the...
Owly : the way home
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
All Owly wants is a friend...Owly is a good-natured little owl, and he's always helping those around him. But despite his kindness, he seems to frighten would-be friends away before they even give him a chance, just because he's an owl. That all changes, though, once Owly meets Wormy. Like Owly,...
Party animals
Battersby, Katherine
Paper Book
Cranky Chicken and Speedy the worm are back in another laugh-out-loud, brightly illustrated, and heartwarming chapter book as Speedy tries to plan a party for a hungry Chicken--sure to delight fans of Narwhal and Jelly and The Bad Guys! Cranky Chicken is super high on the...
Geraldine Pu and her lunchbox, too!
Chang, Maggie P.
Paper Book
Meet spunky, funny, and friendly Geraldine Pu as she takes on a bully and makes a new friend in this first book in a new Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series! Geraldine Pu's favorite part of school is lunch. She loves her lunch box, which she calls Biandang. She can't wait to...
Geraldine Pu and her cat hat, too!
Chang, Maggie P.
Paper Book
Spunky, funny, and friendly Geraldine Pu gets ready for picture day in this second book in this Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series! Geraldine Pu loves her cat hat, Mao Maotz. If only she felt the same way about her own hair! Then she finds out that picture day is happening at...
Geraldine Pu and her lucky pencil, too!
Chang, Maggie P.
Paper Book
Spunky, funny, and friendly Geraldine Pu writes a story for class in this third book in this Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series! Geraldine Pu loves to write stories with her lucky pencil, Chienbee. But when Geraldine's teacher assigns a story for class and says everyone will...
The flower garden
Kurilla, Renée
Paper Book
After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don't go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep in the sun and wake up to blooms as tall as buildings! Did the seeds really grow that fast? All is explained when Anna and Tess meet May, a little garden gnome...
Donut feed the squirrels
Song, Mika
Paper Book
Two squirrel best friends meet their match: a donut food truck! This Eisner-nominated hilarious young graphic novel is perfect for fans of Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea and anyone who would do ANYTHING for a donut. Norma and Belly would really really really really really...
Apple of my pie
Song, Mika
Paper Book
Join troublemaking squirrels Norma and Belly on more delicious adventures in the sequel to the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Donut Feed the Squirrels, the perfect next-read for fans of Narwhal & Jelly! When local park fixture (and spy-master) Pops gets squirrel-napped, it...
Pizza my heart
Song, Mika
Paper Book
Join two troublemaking squirrels on their delicious adventures in this next graphic novel adventure that is perfect for fans of Narwhal & Jelly! Norma and Belly want pizza.   Hot, cheesy, tastey pizza.    Too bad no one will deliver....
All ketchup, no mustard!
Tharp, Jason
Paper Book
Join a hot dog named Dog and a chicken nugget named Nugget in this Level 2 Ready-to-Read Graphics book about kindness, the first in a new series by Jason Tharp! Nugget is a chicken nugget. Dog is a hot dog. They are friends, and they like ketchup. Their town of Gastropolis is a...
Yum Fest is the best!
Tharp, Jason
Paper Book
Join a hot dog named Dog and a chicken nugget named Nugget as they save Yum Fest in this second book in the Level 2 Ready-to-Read Graphics series by Jason Tharp! Nugget and Dog and everyone in Gastropolis are excited about Yum Fest. It's the coolest fair around, with fun food and...
I really want to fly to the Moon!
Ziefert, Harriet
Paper Book
Take off with Really Bird and friends as they set their sights on a trip to outer space in this latest hilarious adventure.  Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself...
S'more than meets the eye!
Tharp, Jason
Paper Book
Join a hot dog named Dog and a chicken nugget named Nugget as they go to summer camp in this hilarious third book in the Level 2 Ready-to-Read Graphics series by Jason Tharp! Nugget and Dog are going to summer camp with their friends. Everyone is excited for ghost stories, hiking...
Just a little blue
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Owly and Wormy just want to help...Best friends Owly and Wormy have days filled with adventure and hearts filled with kindness. And when they discover a bluebird family living in a damaged tree, they want to help out the best way they can: by building the birds a new home! But when Owly and...
Flying lessons
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Facing fears can be scary... Owly and Wormy love making new friends, and when they spot an unfamiliar animal flying through the trees, they can't wait to meet her! Unfortunately, Shadow the flying squirrel doesn't want to be friends with Owly because she's afraid of him. Wormy tries to...
A time to be brave
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Owly, the little owl with a heart of gold, returns for another forest adventure in this Eisner-winning series about friendship! For Owly and Wormy, nothing beats the power of friendship! But fear can be a powerful force, too. There's a new visitor to the forest, an opossum who's misunderstood...
Puppy problems
Braddock, Paige
Paper Book
A goofy new puppy rocks the world of a high-strung dog and a snarky cat in this hilarious graphic novel for early readers. Crackers is a rescue dog who's a bit on the nervous side, but pretty comfy at home with Butter, a very plump cat who--like all cats--is all about himself....
I really want to be first!
Ziefert, Harriet
Paper Book
Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself really wanting something - to be bigger, to have his fair share, or to be the leader - to be really silly, funny, strong, cool, happy, or...
I really want a bigger piece!
Ziefert, Harriet
Paper Book
Meet Really Bird, a small bird who lives in a large city park with his friends Cat, Pup, Mouse, and Rabbit. In each story, Really Bird finds himself really wanting something - to be bigger, to have his fair share, or to be the leader - to be really silly, funny, strong, cool, happy, or...
Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
The second adventure in the fresh and funny Sir Ladybug young graphic novel series, from Caldecott Honor and two-time Geisel Award-winning author-illustrator Corey Tabor. Perfect for fans of Catwad, Bird & Squirrel, and Narwhal & Jelly. Sir Ladybug--the duke of the dandelion...
Sir Ladybug and the bookworms
Tabor, Corey R.
Paper Book
The third adventure in the fresh and funny Sir Ladybug young graphic novel series, from Caldecott Honoree and two-time Geisel Award winner Corey Tabor. Perfect for fans of Catwad, Bird & Squirrel, and Narwhal & Jelly. Sir Ladybug--the duke of the dandelion patch, champion of...
Star the elephant
Lai, Remy
Paper Book
Planet Earth meets Narwhal and Jelly in this funny and suspenseful young reader graphic novel adventure series featuring heroic animals! Inspired by true events, the book includes facts about climate change, elephants, and how kids can help protect the environment. "A heartening...
Rainbow the koala
Lai, Remy
Paper Book
Planet Earth meets Narwhal and Jelly in this funny and suspenseful early reader graphic novel series featuring heroic animals surviving in the perilous wilderness! Inspired by true events, the book includes facts about climate change, koalas, and how kids can help protect the...
The Greatest in the World!
Clanton, Ben
Paper Book
Two spud siblings face off in a series of epic challenges in this first "delightful laugh-on-every-page" (Booklist) installment of a hilariously silly graphic novel chapter book series from the bestselling creator of the Narwhal and Jelly books. Rot is a mutant potato who...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.