Recently there has been a dramatic increase in graphic novels published for younger readers in the UK. There’s a graphic novel to suit all interests, whether you like high fantasy, everyday realism, or adaptations of well-loved classics. We invited some Just Imagine reviewers to tell us more to help us get to grips with this cornucopia of material.
Nikki Gamble is joined by Ben Harris, Roy Moss, and Richard Charlesworth, who share some of their favourite graphic novels for the classroom- though they did find it difficult to slim down their choices from the exciting burst of new titles.
00:00 Introduction: our childhood experiences
09:28 Ben Harris talks about his choices for younger children
28:16 Roy tells us about comedy duos in children’s graphic novels
32:29 Roy Moss talks about This Was Our Pact, Eoin Colfer/Andrew Donkin’s Global and Sad Ghost Club
41:06 Roy introduces Tom’s Midnight Garden, and the panel discusses adaptations in graphic novel form.
55:09 Rich Charlesworth talks about some of his favourite graphic novels
01:07:23 Nikk Gamble does a quick share of some of her recent favourites
01:15:30 Parting thoughts
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This post was written by Nikki Gamble
Nikki GambleFormerly a teacher (secondary and primary) and university lecturer, with over 40 years’ experience, Nikki is Director of Just Imagine. She has worked extensively in schools across the UK and internationally. She is the author of Exploring Children’s Literature now in its fourth edition (Sage, 2019) and co-author of Guiding Readers, winner of the UKLA Academic Book Award (UCL, 2016). Nikki runs workshops for teachers, librarians, students and researchers on different aspects of children's literature, an online summer school and hosts literary events. Contact nikki@justimagine.co.uk