Staff Picks: Graphic Novels for Younger Kids

In celebration of Free Comic Book Day (annually on the 1st Saturday of May), GVPL asked staff what their favorite graphic novels are. Here are some of the ones we love and think you might love too.

Updated April 23, 2024
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Simon and Chester : super detectives!
Atkinson, Cale
Welcome to the world of Simon and Chester, ghost and boy duo extraordinaire. They like to kick butt and take names. They don't like chores. They are best friends. And they are about to solve the MYSTERY OF A LIFETIME. (Oh, and eat some snacks probably.) Join Simon and Chester in their first...
Cat on the run in cat of death!
Blabey, Aaron
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Bad Guys comes another hilarious illustrated series starring a pampered cat who is way tougher than anyone realizes. What happens when the world's biggest cat video star gets accused of a crime she...
Narwhal : unicorn of the sea
Clanton, Ben 1988-
A New York Times Bestselling series "Hilarious and charming. The most lovable duo since Frog and Toad." --NYT-bestselling creator of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, Dav Pilkey Narwhal is a happy-go-lucky narwhal. Jelly is a no...
The big adventures of Babymouse. 1 Once upon a messy whisker
Holm, Jennifer L.
Meet Babymouse--the spunky mouse beloved by young readers for more than a decade! Babymouse learns to be careful what you wish for in this BIG, FULL-COLOR graphic novel series, perfect for young readers who love to laugh! This larger-than-life young graphic novel, full of humor and fun,...
The adventures of the Bailey School Kids 1 Vampires don't wear polka dots
Low, Pearl
Mrs. Jeepers may -- or may not -- be a vampire in this funny and spooky series from Graphix Chapters. Get drawn into reading with Graphix Chapters! Graphix Chapters are ideal books for beginning and newly independent readers aged 6-8. With approachable page counts,...
The Wondrous Wonders
Jourdy, Camille 1979-
With irresistible wit and brilliant strokes of watercolor, Camille Jourdy brings this dreamlike fable to life. Wondrous Wonders is a tale of pure magic for children and adults alike. Hurt by her parents' divorce and struggling to accept her new stepfamily, she decides to...
Magic tree house. 1 Dinosaurs before dark : the graphic novel
Laird, Jenny 1969-
The #1 bestselling chapter book is now a graphic novel! Magic. Mystery. Time-travel. Get whisked back in time in the magic tree house with Jack and Annie! Where did the tree house come from?      Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious...
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,...
The wolf suit
Sharp, Sid
"Gorgeous."--The New York Times * Best Books of 2022 lists: NYPL, School Library Journal, The Globe and Mail, Indigo * JLG Gold Standard Selection * Moonbeam Children's Book Award Winner * Kids Indie Next Pick Bellwether Riggwelter is, once again, out of blackberries. This time, rather...
Fluffy strikes back
Spires, Ashley 1978-
Fluffy Vandermere, the cat sergeant in charge of P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel), works tirelessly to protect the world from alien (aka bug) domination. It's a big job. "The whole planet is Fluffy's space station. All the people in the world are his humans. And every space...
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...
Scaredy Squirrel in a nutshell
Watt, Melanie 1975-
The time is now for this anxious little guy: Meet Scaredy Squirrel in his brand-new graphic novel series! He's funnier (and scared-ier) than ever, and perfect for readers of Narwhal and Jelly. Scaredy is happy to stay in his nut tree. Why would he ever leave? The outside is...

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