Oh yes! Let's talk about graphic novels!
Everyone is familiar with comic books and graphics novels, but what are the differences and why are they so wildly popular?
The term "graphic novel" was first coined in1964 by Richard Kyle. Published in 1978, "A Contract With God" became the first work to actually use the term in its branding. Graphic novels separate themselves from comics mainly by their length and design. Graphic novels are longer than comics and are one story in its entirety. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. Comics are usually one piece of a much larger story. There's usually a continuation at the end...in the next issue you'll meet... Graphic novels can be about super heroes, they can retell a chapter book, they can be nonfiction and they can just be good stories.
Graphic novels are the middle child in literature. The comics community thinks they are comic books with a super big ego and novel readers see graphics as a lazy man book. The good side is that graphics are getting kids to read and does it really matter WHAT they are reading (come on! within reason)...as long as they are reading. The down side is that the illustrations take away a little of the imagination. Kids don't need to visualize what the characters look like or expressions. It's all right there in front of them.
Either way, graphic novel sales were up 62% in 2021 so someone must be loving them! There are graphics for everyone...young, middle, teens and adults! Even me! I think I have finally excepted them as just another form of literature and have read some really good stories!
So if your kid comes home slinging one of these little fountains of surprise entertainment under their arm let them go. Be thankful they are reading. AND maybe ask to borrow it.
