Tabetha ‘Tabby’ Simon is resolved to learn what happened to her scientist father who was found dead after researching a mysterious tree. While searching for the truth, she is transported to Rema, a far-away planet of magic and beauty. In Rema, she meets Philip a blue-haired boy with his own dangerous secrets. As she discovers this world and the perils involved in her search for the truth, ‘Tabby discovers that she is destined for something far greater than she ever could have imagined’.
A truly magnificently illustrated graphic novel with a manga-like style. It is a fast-paced adventure filled with thrills, fantasy, magic, romance, and interplanetary travel. Amy Kim Kibushi’s illustrations are all tinged with a blue and purple hue, producing art that is highly detailed and engaging.
The story keeps readers on the edge of their seats, and it is perfect for readers who find chapter books challenging to stick with. This high-stakes magical adventure is sure to hold their interest. Additionally, it would also challenge readers who are used to reading chapter books, as graphic novels have a different level of challenge where readers will need to use text and images to make inferences and synthesize information. With themes or bereavement and elements of romance woven through the fantasy narrative, this is most suitable for upper KS2 and beyond.
Stitch Head is a loveable little character – almost human – who has been created, and then forgotten, by his master the mad Professor Erasmus Erasmus. When Stitch Head inadvertently saves the professor’s latest monstrous creation (who has one eye, two noses and three ears) and calms him down with an anti-werewolf potion, the monster immediately vows to be Stitch Head’s ‘bestest friend’.
Stitch Head, who has never had a friend before and lives to serve his crazy master, is at first overwhelmed with the idea of friendship but the pair work together to save the town of Grubbers Nubbin and its fearful residents including the spunky Arabella Guff, from the arrival of a mysterious travelling carnival as well as from the mad Professor’s creations. Stitch Head recounts to his new friend how he was made out of leftovers by the professor, many years ago, when he was just a boy. But those idyllic early years ended abruptly when Stitch Head, along with all the boy’s toys, was locked away and the boy was instructed to take over his father’s work. Stitch Head now lives in the shadows, helping the Professor from afar and ensuring that his creations don’t escape, ‘for what humans fear…they will destroy.’
This graphic edition of Guy Bass’s novel will be highly popular with KS2 children. Both the style and the storyline are likely to win over previously reluctant readers; Stich Head has just the right mix of strong storyline and action-packed illustrations. The text, although mainly delivered using speech bubbles, builds a fun, fast-paced coherent narrative and Pete Williamson’s rollicking illustrations lend emotion and detail to the characters in this, the first of six Stitch Head graphic novels.
Irena Sendler was a humanitarian and social worker in Nazi-occupied Poland during World War II. Her job allowed her to pass through the armed gates of the Warsaw ghetto, bringing limited aid to the 450,000 Jewish people who were forcibly moved there. In secret, Irena built a network of people to smuggle 2,500 children out of the ghetto, saving their lives. And in a hidden jar, she kept their family names. This is her story.
In Diper Överlöde, book 17 of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series from #1 international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, Greg Heffley is finding out that the road to fame and glory comes with some hard knocks.
When he decides to tag along with his brother Rodrick’s band, Löded Diper, Greg doesn’t realize what he’s getting into. But he soon learns that late nights, unpaid gigs, fighting between band members, and money troubles are all part of the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle.
Can Greg help Löded Diper become the legends they think they are? Or will too much time with Rodrick’s band be a diper överlöde?
This graphic novel is based on a very silly story and one that will go down a treat! Firstly, it’s about pizza – always a popular topic with children! Secondly, it stars two likeable, somewhat barmy characters (the good guys) and several creepy, villainous ones.
Its comic strip style is super appealing and colourful and the story is crammed with jokes and high jinks. The storyline is interesting (read fun, surprising, wacky, and inventive) and there’s a drawing tutorial at the end. Readers will be pleased to see the promise of future Peng and Spanners books.
This book will fly off the graphic novel shelf and is perfect for fans of the Investigators and Sparks in KS1 and KS2.
Charlie and August go on vacation, but trouble always finds them! A hilarious fast-paced full colour graphic novel series from Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto. Charlie and August, the kitty duo who control the incredible Sparks costume, are exhausted. It’s hard work saving people all the time! So what better way to relax than to get away to a beautiful tropical island? But when weird things start to happen and they discover that the island holds a surprising secret, they’re blasted off on their craziest adventure ever. And this time they have to save themselves!
Full colour pages throughout
A fun tale about the power of friendship, loyalty and facing your fears
For fans of Kitty Quest, Dog Man and The Bad Guys
From the powerhouse duo behind the instant bestseller Allergic comes a fun new graphic novel about finding your own space… especially when you’re in a family of nine!
Eleven-year-old Avery Lee loves living in Hickory Valley, Maryland. But she’s tired of feeling squished by her six siblings!
All Avery wants is her own room – her own space to be alone and make art. Avery hatches a plan to finally get her own room, all while trying navigating changes in her friendships, and working on an art entry for the fair.
And when Avery finds out that her family might move across the country, things get even more complicated. A funny, heartfelt, and charming story of family, friendship, and growing up.
Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have once again teamed up to tell a funny, heartfelt, and charming story of family, friendship, and growing up
A fast paced and heartfelt story with lots of humorous moments
Perfect for fans of Allergic, Twins & Kristen Gudsnuk’s Making Friends series
The next in the Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series – originally written by Ann M Martin and adapted by Cynthia Yuan Cheng! Stacey is so excited! Her friends from The Baby-sitters Club are coming to New York City for a long weekend. It’s going to be perfect: a party and a sleepover on Friday night, a big baby-sitting job on Saturday, and lots of sightseeing throughout.
But it turns out that the baby-sitters are way out of place in the big city. Mary Anne sounds like a walking guidebook, Dawn is afraid of everything, Kristy can’t keep her mouth shut, Claudia is jealous of Laine – Stacey’s New York best friend – and Mallory and Jessi feel intimidated by Stacey’s classmates. With ten kids to baby-sit and a full schedule of activities, how will Stacey keep the weekend from becoming a complete disaster?
A brand-new story from the original author
The series that has been entertaining children for generations
Full-colour graphic novel
Two spud siblings face off in a series of epic challenges in the first of a hilariously silly graphic novel series from the bestselling creator of the Narwhal and Jelly books.
Rot is a mutant potato who wakes up feeling great, maybe even…the greatest in the world! But that only makes Rot’s brother Snot the grumpiest in the world. The only solution? An epic contest to prove who is the greatest once and for all, judged by the only impartial party they can find—their small fry little sister, Tot.
But as the stakes get higher through the muddy potato sack race, sacred hot potato roll, and a hilarious laughing contest, their rivalry spirals out of control. Suddenly Rot’s not feeling so spudtacular anymore. Will this tater trio ever be able to determine who the greatest in the world really is?
Graphic novels are longer stories written and illustrated in a comic style, combining a sequence of engaging visual elements that drive the plot, coupled with short pockets of text in the form of captions and dialogue. The format has seen a burst in popularity in recent years, and these books are seeing an increasing demand in primary schools.
Up until recently, most of the graphic novels available have been aimed at older children, but a newer demand for graphic novels suitable for younger readers in KS1 is now emerging. Whether you are looking for simple adventures like Max and Chaffy or comic tales of animal friends like Peanut Butter and Crackers, we’ve compiled a short list of the best graphic novels where the story content, length and text level are suited to children aged 5-7 in Years 1 and 2.
This list is aimed at readers in KS1. If you are looking for recommendations for graphic novels for older children, be sure to check out our Graphic Novels for Lower KS2 and Graphic Novels for Upper KS2.
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