Graphic novels have grown in popularity for good reason! There are many benefits to reading them, and, best of all, they have the power to engage and excite children about reading.
With their short chapters and humorous storylines, the below graphic novels are perfect for enticing and entertaining newly independent readers between the ages of 5 and 8.
Are you or your little ones fans of graphic novels? Have you read any of these yet?
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Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton, 2020
With brightly colored illustrations and limited text, this alluring series about an owl in search of a friend is perfect for new readers.
Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song, 2020
This ridiculously cute graphic novel stars two hungry squirrels who simply want the sweet deliciousness of a donut. While they mastermind a plot to steal the donuts from a local food truck, their plans go awry with rib-tickling results.
The Cozy Home (Bat, Cat & Rat series) by Ame Dyckman and Mark Teague, 2024
A cat, rat, and bat move in a house together in this witty and charming book. With three-and-a-half short chapters, comical dialogue, and expressive illustrations, this new friendship story is perfect for emergent readers.
*While not a traditional graphic novel, this series has large colorful illustrations making it a good choice for graphic novel lovers.
I Like Cheese! (Kat & Mouse series) by Salina Yoon – releasing in September, 2025
Salina Yoon brings her award-winning wit to this charming easy reader graphic novel about two friends who love sharing their favorite foods. While Kat prefers elaborate meals, Mouse sticks to the simplicity of cheese. Though Mouse initially fears their friendship will not withstand their differences, he realizes it is their differences that actually make their friendship truly special.
Bold illustrations, a sweet storyline, and just the right amount of humor make this a perfect pick for new readers!
Reggie Kid Penguin by Jen de Oliveira, 2023
My daughter and I were both giggling at the hilarious antics of Reggie, a spunky penguin with lots of heart. Reggie may be a penguin, but his curiosity, energy, and imagination are reminiscent of so many children I know.
From grumbling over his outfit for picture day to creating a bug village with his friends and working through a power struggle with his cousin, Reggie is a very relatable character. I have no doubt many children and adults will connect with him and his comical stories.
Chip Plays Grown-Up by Maddie Frost, 2024
This all-too-relatable story follows Chip who does not want to go to bed. When he and his mom agree to trade places for the night, Chip quickly discovers that being a grown-up is harder than it looks. Full of humor and warmth, this is a funny story that both children and adults will enjoy.
Max and Chaffy: Welcome to Animal Island by Jamie Smart, 2025
This adorable new series follows Max and his family as they explore Animal Island and meet a variety of new friends along the way. Each book has a fun look-and-find element woven right into the story, making it an interactive graphic novel experience that really keeps emerging readers engaged.
Pencil & Eraser: We Have a Dull-Emma by Jenny Alvarado, 2024
I love a good pun and was immediately “drawn” to this adorable story starring an exuberant pencil and a grumpy eraser. Though very different, these best buds make a great team and work together to help pencil find a sharpener.
With breaks for silly jokes and instructions for drawing the characters, this one is sure to be popular in home and school libraries.
Earl and Worm: The Bad Idea by Greg Pizzoli, 2025
Though not exactly a graphic novel, this highly illustrated beginning reader from best-selling creator Greg Pizzoli is perfect for new readers. Told in three short chapters, children follow Earl and Worm through their blossoming friendship. Though initially annoyed by Earl’s cheerful nature, grumpy Worm comes to appreciate his new neighbor and his positive outlook that changes his own perspective.
Gnome and Rat by Lauren Stohler, 2023
In the first book of this comical new series, Gnome and Rat spend several adventures centered around Gnome’s hat. From celebrating a special Hat Day to learning magic tricks to picking out a new hat and my favorite chapter featuring Gnome’s new hairdo that causes him to be confused with other members of the forest, each chapter is so much fun to read!
Cranky Chicken by Katherine Battersby, 2021
This seriously silly story has been on repeat at our house. Both my 7 year-old daughter and 10 year-old son can’t get enough of the hilarious hijinks of Cranky Chicken! In the classic case of opposites attracting, a friendly outgoing worm befriends a very grumpy chicken. It is so downright entertaining to watch their friendship bloom over three comical chapters.
We are also enjoy the sequel Cranky Chicken: Party Animals.
Grumpy Monkey School Stinks by Suzanne Lang, illustrated by Max Lang, 2025
Everyone’s favorite Grumpy Monkey is back, this time in a graphic novel adventure! After an embarrassing mishap during hide-and-seek, Jim Panzee’s friends nudge him to return to school and relearn the ways of the wild. But school isn’t nearly as easy as he remembers. Through a string of comical blunders, Jim discovers that learning isn’t about being perfect, it’s about growing from our mistakes.
Dino Poet by Tom Angleberger, 2025
This brilliant book blends humor, action, and a playful introduction to poetry. When a dinosaur is about to eat a frog, the quick-thinking frog convinces him to explore the world for poetic inspiration instead. Their adventure sparks an unexpected friendship and a fun, engaging crash course in poetry. Perfect for home and classroom libraries, this standout story is one of my favorite books of 2025.
Bug Scouts: Out in the Wild by Mike Lowery, 2022
Filled with wordplay and amusing illustrations, this new series featuring a group of endearing bugs working to collect their badges is tons of fun. With large font and short chapters, this one is perfect for reluctant readers to gain their confidence while falling in love with reading. We can’t wait to read the other books in this series.
The Gingerbread Man by Laura Murray, illustrated by Mike Lowery, 2024
I absolutely love the Gingerbread Man is Loose picture book series, so I was thrilled to see a new graphic novels featuring this iconic character. Simple rhyming text follows the Gingerbread Man on his humorous hijinks throughout the school where he was created.
Scaredy Squirrel in a Nutshell by Melanie Watt, 2021
There is just something irresistible about this adorably anxious little squirrel and his outlandish preparations. Just as his name implies, Scaredy Squirrel is afraid of, well, everything. When he spots a nut just outside of his tree, he goes through great lengths to retrieve it with the upmost care and hilarious consequences. With its appealing artwork and silly situations, I was not surprised at all that my daughter absolutely loved this book.
Fitz and Cleo by Jonathon Stutzman; illustrated by Heather Fox, 2022
Our family has enjoyed everything that Jonathon Stutzman and Heather Fox have created and Fitz and Cleo is no exception. When sibling ghosts Fitz and Cleo discover a cat in their attic, hilarious hijinks ensue as they experience the trials and tribulations of owning a pet. The illustrations could not be cuter, while the text is laugh-out-loud funny!
Sir Ladybug by Corey R. Tabor, 2022
Once again, the two-time Geisel Award winning author and illustrator Corey R. Tabor works his magic with a new easy reader series filled with humor and heart. Sir Ladybug and his two loyal companions, a snail and a roly-poly bug, travel the countryside helping any insect in need. With plenty of amusing dialogue and themes of teamwork and resilience, there is a lot to enjoy about this new series!
The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid and Stella by Hello Lucky, 2022
Colorful illustrations match the cheerful feel of these two best friends who can do anything together! With their mantras of “We can do hard things” and “Progress not perfection,” these two quirky characters can take on the world and then some as they zoom around the universe experiencing one stellar adventure after another.
Stick and Stone Explore and More by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Kristen Cella, 2022
Based on the characters in the bestselling picture book Stick and Stone, the lovable friends return for two new adventures in this charming graphic novel. In the first story, the two best buddies become part of a nature scavenger hunt and search for ice cream with surprising results in the second. I especially enjoyed the added educational elements such as the Nature Girl A-Z Checklist for an outdoor scavenger hunt and three recipes for S’mores!
Baloney and Friends (series) by Greg Pizzoli, 2020
Baloney is a pig who can’t wait to star in his very own book. Unfortunately, his friends have decided to crash the story creating humorous results! Greg Pizzoli is well known for his popular picture books and his fans with be thrilled with this quirky new series that is a ton of fun to read. Kids will also be excited to find instructions on how to draw the lovable characters. Lexile: 430L
Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea by Ben Clanton, 2016
The cheerful Narwhal and no-nonsense Jelly Fish are two unlikely friends who could not be more adorable. Upon meeting, they each believe the other is imaginary and the comical hijinks continue from there. Both my children enjoyed listening to this series as a read aloud and my son couldn’t wait to start reading these delightful books on his own.
These charming books use a graphic novel format with large panels and dialogue to draw the reader in. There are three short stories in each book that are full of humor that both adults and children will appreciate. As a bonus, there are fun facts about sea creatures in between each chapter. Lexile: 490
Aquamanatee by Ben Clanton, 2025
Best-selling author Ben Clanton returns with another hilarious graphic novel! Marlow, a manatee with big hero dreams, finally gets his chance to shine in a series of delightfully comical adventures. Fans of Narwhal and Jelly won’t want to miss this splashy new series.
Happy Paws (Layla and the Bots series) by Vicky Fang; illustrated by Christine Nishiyama, 2020
Meet Layla, an inventor and rock star whose kindness and problem-solving skills are admirable. With its colorful illustrations and positive role model, kids and adults will love this new STEM-themed transitional chapter book! Lexile: 500L Buy It Here
Fox & Rabbit (series) by Beth Ferry; illustrated by Gergely Dudás, 2020
This sweet friendship story could not be more charming! Told in five vignettes, this delightful tale follows a cheerful fox and an anxious rabbit who help each other overcome their fears, go on adventures, and learn what friendship is all about!
Pea, Bee, & Jay, Stuck Together (series) by Brian Smith, 2020
When a brave pea rolls past the border of his farm, he encounters a bee and a blue jay who become fast friends. This delightful friendship story is full of silly puns, cartoony illustrations, and an engaging storyline that will make readers excited for the next book in the series.
Barnacle Bay by Jana Curll, 2025
Dive into this vibrant undersea world filled with interesting sea creatures and puns galore. Feeling underappreciated, Crab wants to leave Barnacle Bay for bluer waters, but agrees to show a new resident around first. Along the way, readers enjoy a comical story while learning fascinating facts about underwater ecosystems.
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