Who’s afraid of graphic novels and other news . . .
Who’s afraid of graphic novels?
If yo
u have been hesitant about encouraging children to read graphic novels, it may be time to change your mind. On the Playful Learning website you can read about why graphic novels make great reading and learning
experiences for children.The article ‘5 great reasons to Read Graphic Novels’ is followed by a list of favourites that have proved their worth.
The author ends the article by saying: ‘If you are looking for even more inspiration the list on the A Mighty Girl website . . . is focused more on female characters, but there is no reason why boys won’t enjoy them just as much!’ (She must have read my last blog post, don’t you think?)
And if you are looking for even more titles, the website for What do we do all day offers lists of books to read, including lists of graphic novels.
From page to screen is another option worth pursuing. Thanks to Dr Kerry-Ann O’Sullivan for kindly forwarding this link about a series of graphic novels, The Hildafolk Collection by Luke Pearson. Netflix is planning a twelve-episode animated series, based on the first four books, for early 2018.
My new book
Bear Wants to Know, a picture book for 2 to 5s, is now available. I first wrote a version of this book for my granddaughter, Harriet, nearly a decade ago.
Now with the help of illustrator, Janet Trotta, the story has evolved into a picture book. At first reading to my kindy group, the children were very taken with the last double page spread of the book (it was 
entirely Janet’s idea to do the page this way – so I am grateful to her). They liked pointing out to me all the things in Harriet’s bedroom that they’d seen during the story.
If you would like a copy of the book ($14.95 with free postage), or any of my other books, do email me (gibbs.donna@gmail.com) so I can arrange delivery.
The Fan Brothers
I read an interview recently about the illustrator brothers, Eric and Terry Fan – whom I’d not come across before. Their illustrations for The Night Garden, which they also co-authored, had me immediately intrigued.
From The Night Garden
When visiting the Blues Point Bookshop (once you are inside it is very hard to leave), I came across The Darkest Dark illustrated by the Fan brothers and written by the astronaut Chris Hadfield. I think this book would have appeal for most age groups but particularly the 5 to 7 year olds. It is about overcoming fear of the dark but also about dreaming dreams and making them happen.
The book also has nostalgic appeal for adults because the child narrator huddles with others around a television, to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the surface of the moon. Some of my readers watched this event with me along with lots of school children, many moons ago when we were all crowded into a hall in Hinemoa.
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