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
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...
Arlo & Pips. 3, New kids in the flock
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
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
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 duke of the...
Owly : the way home
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Owly is a kind, yet lonely, little owl who's always on the lookout for new friends and adventure. The first graphic novel in the series contains two enchanting novellas, "The Way Home" & "The Bittersweet Summer," wherein Owly discovers the meaning of friendship, and that saying goodbye doesn't...
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...
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...
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 format,...
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...
Just a little blue
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Owly learns that sometimes you have to make sacrifices and work at things that are important, especially friendship
Flying lessons
Runton, Andy
Paper Book
Owly--a very cute owl who wishes to make friends with the other animals in the forest--learns that everyone is special and it's okay to be different
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...
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...

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