The Holcombe Book: On Comics
We’ve noticed a huge buzz around comics in school lately! Our recent book fair was filled with Dog Man fans, with copies flying off the shelf, and in our pupil voice meeting, half of our children said comics are their top reading choice.
There’s no denying comics are proving popular currently, but should we be worried that our children are reading books with more pictures than words? Here at Holcombe Brook, we see comic enthusiasm as a fantastic thing and, for many of our children, the gateway to their love of literacy. Here’s why.
In this fantastic TED Talk, by Karrie Fransman, we learn that comics aren’t “less than” other books – they’re a unique and powerful way to build reading skills, such as…
- Visual Literacy: Comics teach children to interpret images alongside text, a crucial skill in today’s world.
- Inference and Deduction: Understanding comic panels requires readers to fill in the gaps and make inferences.
- Vocabulary Boost: Comics often use exciting and varied language.
- Engagement and Motivation: The visual element can hook reluctant readers and spark a genuine love of stories.
- Diverse Stories: Comics can tell stories from different countries and cultures, and can transcend boundaries of language, culture, class, education and age.
Reading Crisis? Well, not among comic readers.
Click here for full article: Reading Crisis? Well, not among comic readers – The Reading Agency
This thought-provoking article from the Reading Agency challenges the notion of a reading crisis among young people and highlighting comics as an accessible, engaging pathway to literacy. Here are the main points:
🔢 The Numbers Don’t Lie: Comics Create Better Readers: That enthusiasm you see when your child grabs a comic book? The research backs it up: comic readers enjoy reading nearly twice as much and are more confident about their reading abilities.
📚 Comics Are Real Reading, Not “Lesser” Reading: When we see children reading comics, they’re not taking shortcuts – they’re reading stories that span every genre imaginable, from historical adventures to scientific discoveries. Adults who read comics are actually more likely to be regular readers overall and to say that reading is important to their lives. Comics aren’t replacing ‘proper’ books; they’re creating lifelong readers.
🌉 Comics Are the Perfect Bridge to Lifelong Reading: Rather than being a dead-end, comics are actually the gateway to reading everything else. Comic readers are more engaged with reading at every age and are more likely to read something daily in their free time. Your Dog Man fan isn’t stuck in comics forever – they’re building the reading stamina and love of stories that will carry them through life.
Books for Dog Man Fans: What to try next…
Bunny vs Monkey (Jamie Smart) – A chaotic monkey crash-lands in peaceful woods and tries to take over, battling sensible Bunny and forest friends – perfect for kids aged 7-9 who love slapstick humor.
Peng and Spanners (Steve Webb) – A sarcastic penguin and clever cat with a toolbelt become unlikely superheroes solving their school’s missing pizza mystery – ideal for silly buddy adventure fans aged 6-9.
Grimwood (Nadia Shireen) – Fox siblings flee to weird countryside village Grimwood, encountering eccentric animals while defeating vengeful cat Princess Buttons – great for readers aged 7+ who enjoy dark humor.
Kitty Quest (Phil Corbett) – Two down-on-their-luck kittens become professional monster slayers with help from a ghost warrior, despite having no clue – perfect for kids aged 7-10 who love fantasy quests.
Real Pigeons Fight Crime (Andrew McDonald & Ben Wood) – Secret crime-fighting pigeons solve mysteries and protect the city from supervillains while traveling through sewers via toilets – ideal for ages 6+ who enjoy detective stories and toilet humor.
Mr Wolf’s Class (Aron Nels Steinke) – Everyday classroom adventures of anthropomorphic students and their wolf teacher, capturing real elementary school experiences – perfect for kids aged 7-10.
InvestiGators (John Patrick Green) – Pun-filled series about spy alligators Mango and Brash solving crimes with Very Exciting Spy Technology – great for kids aged 6-10 who love wordplay and clean humor.
Parents – Let’s Talk!
We’d love to hear from you! What kind of content would you find helpful or interesting in “The Holcombe Book”?
Are there any reading or writing topics you’d like us to cover? Leave a comment, or post a reply on our Dojo Whole School Story. It will help us to shape future editions.