The Reading Corner : Graphic Novels

Graphic Novel

Traditional Novel

The main 3 criteria of a graphic novel consist of panels, gutters and balloons or bubbles.

Panel: Panels are the typically square or rectangular boxes that contain the action of the story in a graphic novel (Galda, Ling, & Cullinan 2016

Gutter: Gutters are the spaces between the panels. Gutters are one of the most important meaning-making elements of a graphic novel (Galda, Ling, & Cullinan 2016

Balloons or Bubble: Speech balloons, or word bubbles, are another important element in meaning making in a graphic novel. The shape, size, and even color of a speech balloon can indicate the tone or the emotion of the words spoken within the balloon. (Galda, Ling, & Cullinan 2016

Examples:

Lunch lady, Amulet, Babymouse, he Flying Beaver Brothers, Bird and Squirrel, CatStronauts,The Tree House and Binky

There are six types of traditional literature:

Ø FABLES.

Ø LEGENDS.

Ø FOLK TALES.

Ø FAIRY TALES.

Ø MYTHS.

Ø TALL TALES.

Characteristics of

Traditional Novels

Based in oral tradition with no known author.

Anytime and anyplace (once upon a time in a place far away).

Common ending (they lived happily ever after).

Often magical.

Typically, evil is defeated and hero/heroine triumphs.

Contain universal truths and values of time.

Were sometimes used to instruct children in values.

Contain common narrative motifs and common themes.

Examples:

Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, Red Riding Hood, Snow White. Sleeping Beauty, Rumplestiltskin, Hansel and Gretel, Bremen Town Musicians, Three Little Pigs, East of the Sun and West of the Moon.

According to "Buffalo & Eric County Public Library "(2015), “Graphic Novel is a format, not a genre. Graphic novels can be fiction, non-fiction, history, fantasy, or anything in-between. Graphic novels are generally standalone stories with complex plots” (What are Graphic Novels?). Graphic Novels have three main criteria which includes panels, gutters, and balloons or bubbles. These three features can be implemented in the classroom while teaching dialog. This will offer young readers a visual on who’s speaking. Graphic novels could also serve as a guide for students as they create their own dialogue in narratives, with their own interactions with different characters. Students could also work with a classmate and create their own short story using balloons or bubbles. The criteria of graphic novels could be implemented in social studies as well. Students could create a timeline with panels for the text. During reading panels could be used for sequencing of event in a story, in three parts beginning, middle and end.

Graphic novels are different as they are unique, and can entice a reluctant reader. According to "Scholastic "(2021) “graphic novels add the extra support kids need to help them through a text. They tend to be particularly captivating for kids, and the combination of text and pictures provides context for stories that they may otherwise not completely understand” (3 Ways Graphic Novels Benefit Reading Skills). Not only are graphic novels engaging, but they are full of text that students can decode, analyze and comprehend. Graphic novels can keep any child interested with its, plot twist and bold images.

Here are some of my favorite Graphic Novels that I encourage you to read:

I would recommend The Witches written by, Roald Dahl for our third through fifth grade students. This graphic novel tells the story of an eight-year-old boy who loves to hear stories told by his Grandmother about who happens to really believe witches are real. The boy loved her stories until he learns that the witches do not like children, in fact the witches had a crazy outrageous plan for all the children… you’ll have to read the book to find out what that plan is… it’s so good! ("Scholastic ", 2021).

I would also recommend the entire Captain Underpants Collection in full color. This collection comes with three books, The Adventures of Captain Underpants, Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets and Captain Underpants and the Invasion of the Incredibly Naughty Cafeteria Ladies from Outer Space. I absolutely love Captain Underpants books. These books tell the story of two boys George and Herold. George and Harold are in fourth grade, and they enjoy playing jokes and creating comic books. They created a silly hero in their comic books. His name was Captain Underpants. Guess what? Captain Underpants comes to life! George and Herold were not ready… read these books so you can find about all about their adventures with Captain Underpants. ("Scholastic", 2021).