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
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Arlo & Pips. 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...
Arlo & Pips. 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...
We love bubbles!
Madan, Vikram
Paper Book
A hilarious book about best friends Bobo and Pup-Pup--a monkey and a dog with very different personalities. Perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie! Did you ever have a friend who likes doing something that you find completely annoying? Well, Bobo and Pup-Pup both LOVE...
The funny book
Madan, Vikram
Paper Book
Bobo and Pup-Pup both love books! This FUNNY book is by Geisel Honor winner, Vikram Madan. Perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie who are ready to graduate to two new buddies! A super funny book has Pup-Pup laughing out loud!! Bobo wants to read it so he can laugh...
Hatch an egg
Madan, Vikram
Paper Book
What will hatch from the hairy brown egg Bobo and Pup-Pup find? This hilarious book is perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie who are ready for two new buddies. By Geisel Honor winner, Vikram Madan. It's a bird. It's a plane. It's an egg falling from the sky? Best friends Bobo and...
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...
Judge Kim and the Kids' Court. The case of the missing bicycles
Stone, Milo
Paper Book
The treehouse court is now in session in this first book in the Judge Kim and the Kids' Court Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series about a young judge who presides over conflict of all sizes in her neighborhood! When bicycles go missing at Fairville Elementary School, it's up to...
Kitty Sweet Tooth. 1
Denson, Abby
Paper Book
In this adorable and silly graphic novel written for young readers, Kitty Sweet Tooth runs a movie theater that serves up magical (and unpredictable) desserts. Featuring delicious text from author Abby Denson, and bright, colorful illustrations by Utomaru. There's just one...
Let's make cake!
Madan, Vikram
Paper Book
A hilarious new series about best friends Bobo and Pup-Pup--a monkey and a dog with very different personalities. Perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie! Bobo and Pup-Pup are making a cake! Pup-Pup reads the ingredients and Bobo gathers them. Sugar and butter, no problem!...
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...
Lemon Bird : can help!
Ganucheau, Paulina
Paper Book
When a small lemon shaped bird and her pumpkin dog friend are lost on their journey home, it doesn't stop them from reaching out and helping all the new friends they meet on their way! A chapter book middle grade novel about friendship and the unlimited power of kindess for fans of Narwhal and...
The sunken ship
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
Dive under the sea with Mermaid Days, a series perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor,...
The sea monster
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
Vera and Beaker explore the ocean, in this series perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and...
A new friend
Lukoff, Kyle
Paper Book
Vera and Beaker make a new friend when they meet a mantis shrimp, in this series perfect for beginning readers! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story...
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...
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....
Fetch!
Braddock, Paige
Paper Book
Peanut, Butter, and Crackers are back in this hilarious follow-up to Puppy Problems, continuing a graphic novel series for early readers. Floppy-eared Peanut is off to doggy school to learn how to be a good dog! Sure, he's excited, but when he gets separated from Crackers,...
On the trail
Braddock, Paige
Paper Book
Peanut, Butter, and Crackers return in the third graphic novel in the series. This time, they're off camping. Getting lost just wasn't part of the plan. Peanut, Butter, and Crackers set off on a camping trip. But when Butter and Peanut leave the safety of the camper to explore...
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...
Shelby & Watts. #1, Tide pool troubles
Anstee, Ashlyn
Paper Book
There isn't a mystery that Shelby & Watts can't solve! They're saving the environment, one case at a time. Meet Shelby & Watts! Shelby loves a good mystery. And her best friend, Watts, is never without his encyclopedia. When Shelby gets a letter from Fred the hermit...
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...
Tater tales. 1, 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...

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