Comics are sequences of images designed to tell a story. They can be as short as a few panels. To some, graphic novels are seen as comic books, but they are actually different. As its name suggests, a graphic novel is a novel that tells a complete story via illustrations. A graphic novel contains a beginning, middle, and end. They may be several hundred pages and will offer resolution as one expects from a novel, even if it is part of a series. A comic is more likely to be shorter and serialized: its narrative often coming in regular periods, monthly or weekly to continue the story. (1) The question is often asked about books such as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. 

Manga refers to Japanese comics.  The Japanese term "manga" is often used interchangeably with the American term "graphic novel."  However, unlike American comics, manga is read from right to left.   The majority of English translations of manga carry over the original artwork, only replacing the words.  The style of manga artwork is also very distinctive when compared to American comics. Manga is published in volumes that are approximately the size of a typical paperback novel.  However, a single manga series may take many volumes to tell a complete story.(2) 

Magna and anime may seem the same but they are not. Manga are comic books rather than animations. In Japan the term anime is used to refer to all animation, much like cartoon is in English, only elsewhere has anime become the term associated exclusively with animation from Japan. Anime also has visually distinct features for characters, and deliberately uses a limited style for depicting movement. In the West, most animations are cartoons used to tell children stories, whereas anime often involves complex storylines and characters with adult themes.

​There are different types of manga that are geared toward specific target audiences. Shōnen is manga aimed at teenage boy readers while Shōjo is manga aimed at teenage girl readers.  Seinen is manga aimed at adult male readers and Josei is manga aimed at adult female readers.  Kodomo is a term applied to manga that is geared to children. 

The graphic novel is a ideal way to get your child reading and increase their vocabulary.  Even the most reluctant reader my easily be inspired by great graphics and a good plot. A child who feels behind in reading or unmotivated can pick up a graphic novels and feel comfortable and inspired to read on.  Seeing pictures and words together is not a new idea - how do we start reading with a child ?  Board books. Think about how fast a toddler learns to associate words with images. Well the same can happen with your older child. Graphic Novels do not talk down to the reader.  They may have lots of images does not mean that the language is below grade. 

Think about an adult reading a complex novel. Sometimes they may skip a word not quite grasping its meaning, maybe not grabbing a dictionary to find out the true meaning, choosing to read on, rather than stop and investigate. They are left with only the context in the text to interpret exactly what that word means. With a graphic novel there are illustrations to assist with deciphering unknown vocabulary. In the same way as board books, graphic novels promote learning putting text right next to images.

Instead of a reluctant learner feeling frustrated by the number of words they do not know, they can easily follow the story, by jigsaw puzzling the words and images together. Processing and retaining the words in their brains, while following the story. 

For this reason neither graphic novels nor magna should be portrayed as a lesser book. Librarians, teachers and parents should encourage their child or student to explore them. They should have a variety available and be as enthusiastic about them as regular chapter books. Appreciate them as an important section of the library, where art and text comes together and as books enabling a child to find their way from reluctant reader to avid reader.  Whether the child picks up the book as a stepping stone to other books or discovers a new way to enjoy this special combination of reading and art, all of these options are fantastic and should be promoted.      

By Laura McCracken - www.ourvirtualbookmark.com 

1.https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-the-difference-between-graphic-novels-and-comics#what-is-the-difference-between-a-graphic-novel-and-comic-book

2. https://nsufl.libguides.com/graphicnovel