10+ Awesome Comic Books You Can Read With Your Kids (The Best Kid-Friendly Comics)

Todd Neikirk | December 12, 2024 3:00 am

There are a number of different ways to relate to your children. Reading can be an ideal way to take them on adventures and teach them new things. But for some parents, comic books could be preferable to reading standard books. There are so many great comics out there and it can be tough to figure out which one is perfect for you and your child. Here's a diverse list of comic books to dive into-- which storyline will your kid love the most?

The Cardboard Kingdom By Chad Sell

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Amazon/Chad Sell
Amazon/Chad Sell

Kids today are extraordinarily focused on phones and video games. The Cardboard Kingdom by Chad Sell reflects on a simpler time when kids would use their imagination to make the world their oyster.

The graphic novel, written in 2018, focuses on an outdoor adventure where kids use their imaginations to win the day. The result is a book which will encourage your kids to get outside and turn everyday materials into things that are non-traditional and fun.

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Anya's Ghost By Vera Brosgol

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Amazon/Vera Brosgol
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Death and the afterlife can be a confusing and overwhelming subject for children and pre-teens. Author Vera Brosgol attempts to demystify the subject for young readers with her graphic novel, Anya's Ghost. In the tale, the lead character Anya encounters a ghost of a girl who had died 90 years beforehand.

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The ghost named Emily helps Anya to come to grips with the difficulty of being a preteen and teaches her to value the opportunity to live her life.

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Garfield By Jim Davis

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Garfield Creator Jim Davis
B. Gomer/Express/Getty Images
B. Gomer/Express/Getty Images
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Garfield was a very popular comic when most parents were their children's age. Writer and cartoonist Jim Davis is still pumping out the tales of the cat who loves both naps and lasagna in equal measure.

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If your child really loves Garfield, there are no shortages of books that the two of you can read together. In addition to the books, there have been a number of Garfield television shows as well as a live action movie with Bill Murray.

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All Summer Long By Hope Larson

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It can be a confusing time for kids who are entering their teenage years. Lucky for parents, there are some great books out there that can help show kids they are not alone. All Summer Long by Hope Larson features lead character Bina as she begins to experience all of the hard parts of turning 13.

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While her relationship with her best friend Austin begins to change, Bina discovers music and it becomes an important outlet for her during this strange stage.

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Margo Maloo Series By Drew Weing

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Unlike their parents, today's kids don't necessarily need to read their comics in paperback form. There are plenty of webcomics that kids can easily access on their laptops and iPads. The Margo Maloo series by Drew Weing is one of these.

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The books follow Margo's adventures as she explores the supernatural goings-on in her hometown of Echo City. The latest book finds Margo investigating the vegans who inhabit the local mall.

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Hey Kiddo By Jarrett Krosoczka

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While some comics are chock full of action and adventure, others hope to tackle more sensitive issues. The lives of many children today are affected in some way by addiction.

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Whether it affects a parent, a family member, or a friend, Hey Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka could help kids to better understand the disease. The story is Krosoczka's own as he lost his Mother to addiction when he was younger. The subject, while affecting, is handled in a delicate way.

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Drama By Raina Telgemeier

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Drama By Raina Telgemeier
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Amazon/Raina Telgemeier
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It is much easier to speak with children about LGBTQ issues than it was even just a few years ago. Some parents, however, could use a book to help them address the sometimes sensitive subject.

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Raina Telgemeier's Drama features a number of queer and questioning characters. Telgemeier has become a renowned author heavily due to her ability to weave LGBTQ stories in a way that is accessible for parents and especially for children who could be coming to grips with their own sexuality.

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Smile By Raina Telgemeier

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Smile By Raina Telgemeier
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Amazon/Raina Telgemeier
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Smile is the second book by kid author phenomenon Raina Telgameier. The book, like most of her other works, takes place in the anxious and confusing world of Junior High School.

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The book's protagonist, also named Raina, has to navigate a troubling year as she deals with an earthquake and two-faced friends all while managing two broken front teeth and terrible looking dental aids. The book, considered by many the be Telgemeier's best, can help guide kids through a tough time.

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March By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin And Nate Powell

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March By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin And Nate Powell
Amazon/John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
Amazon/John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell
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Comic books don't have to be all fun and games. Some of them can even teach your kid an important lesson about history. March is the story of Congressman John Lewis, told alongside writer Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell.

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Lewis is an integral figure in the Civil Rights movement as he marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The creators had originally chosen the comic book medium as they felt it could be the best way to teach the story of the movement to younger readers.

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Sci-Fu By Yehudi Mercado

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Sci-Fu By Yehudi Mercado
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You may be noticing a theme with these books so far. The authors tend to love a lot of different things and then combine all those loves into one coherent storyline that appeals to children.

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In Sci-Fu, creator Yehudi Mercado's love for space, hip-hop and bright colors are evident in the space opera. Not only is the story interesting and fun, but Mercado also has a brilliant art style that is sure to catch a kid's eye.

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The Prince And The Dressmaker By Jen Wang

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Amazon/Jen Wang
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While there are a million timeless fairy tales that you can read with your children, sometimes you want to show them something a little bit different. Jen Wang's The Prince and the Dressmaker offers a very different take on the traditional story.

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The main character, Prince Sebastian yearns to get involved with the world of fashion rather than giving into his parent's wishes. The story will also give kids a history lesson as it takes place in historical Paris.

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Ultimate Spider-Man By Brian Michael Bendis And Mark Bagley

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Amazon/Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley
Amazon/Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley
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In the year 2000, Marvel Comics realized that their characters may not have been resonating with younger readers in the way they hoped. To help alleviate this issue, the company rebooted Spider-Man and took him back to his teenage years.

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The early part of the series featured Peter Parker as Spider-Man since the very first day. By the end of the series, though, Bendis created a new Spider-Man in Miles Morales. If your kid loves the books, they'll certainly love 2018's movie Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, which features Morales as the main character.