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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King of the birds
Gravel, Elise
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
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...
Arlo & Pips. 3, New kids in the flock
Gravel, Elise
In the grand finale of Elise Gravel's graphic chapter book series that Kirkus called "a charming treasure," Arlo the crow is going to be a dad! The third book in this quirky series from acclaimed author Elise Gravel is perfect for fans of Narwhal and Jelly and ...
Baloney and friends
Pizzoli, Greg
In this easy-to-read graphic novel from an award-winning creator, four funny animal friends and their wacky adventures "will inspire young readers to write and draw their own stories" (Dav Pilkey). "A sure bet for Elephant and Piggie fans who are ready...
Cranky Chicken
Battersby, Katherine
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,...
We love bubbles!
Madan, Vikram
A hilarious new series about best friends Bobo and Pup-Pup--a monkey and a dog with very different personalities. This graphic chapter book series is perfect for fans of Elephant & Piggie. Did you ever have a friend who likes doing something that you find completely...
Sir Ladybug
Tabor, Corey R.
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...
The funny book
Madan, Vikram
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 (Bobo and Pup-Pup): (a Graphic Novel)
Madan, Vikram
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...
Owly : the way home
Runton, Andy
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
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.
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.
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.
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 case of the missing bicycles
Stone, Milo
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...
The Doggie Defendant: Ready-To-Read Graphics Level 3
Stone, Milo
Judge Kim presides over a case against her beloved pet dog in this second book in the Judge Kim and the Kids' Court Level 3 Ready-to-Read Graphics series! When Neil's extravagant birthday party is ruined, he blames the mess on Kim and Miles's dog, Digger! Can Miles defend Digger...
A mountain of a problem
Anstee, Ashlyn
Mystery-solving duo Shelby & Watts are back on the trail! They're saving the environment, one case at a time. Violet the bear has awoken early from her hibernation, but she doesn't know why. She's called on Shelby & Watts to solve the case before her son, Theodore, is roused from...
Let's make cake!
Madan, Vikram
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!...
Kitty Sweet Tooth. 1
Denson, Abby
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...
Kitty Sweet Tooth Makes a Movie
Denson, Abby.
In this sequel to an adorable and silly graphic novel for young readers, Kitty Sweet Tooth gets behind the camera and makes her own movie! There's just one thing Kitty Sweet Tooth loves more than going to the movies, and that's eating delicious desserts. She's combined her two...
The flower garden
Kurilla, Renée
The Flower Garden is a magical graphic novel adventure perfect for fans of Peter & Ernesto or Tiger vs. Nightmare. After planting a seed packet in the backyard, things don't go as expected for best friends Anna and Tess. They fall asleep...
Lemon Bird : can help!
Ganucheau, Paulina
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
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
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
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 format,...
Donut feed the squirrels
Song, Mika
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
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
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
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
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
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...
S'more than meets the eye!
Tharp, Jason
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 brave. And...
I really want a bigger piece!
Ziefert, Harriet
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 brave. And...
Tide pool troubles
Anstee, Ashlyn
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...
Sir Ladybug and the Queen Bee
Tabor, Corey R.
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.
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
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
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
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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