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Quick answer: The best graphic Novels for Kids with Dyslexia include Dog Man by Dav Pilkey, Narwhal and Jelly: A Narwhal and Jelly Book by Ben Clanton, Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton and twelve more picks chosen for story quality and age fit. Each book below has a short description, a suggested age range and who it suits best, with a comparison table to help you choose quickly.
Graphic novels can be a great match for kids with dyslexia because pictures carry much of the story, text comes in short chunks and readers can move at their own pace. These books are popular with struggling readers and build confidence and stamina.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison Table
| Book | Author | Ages | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Man | Dav Pilkey | 7-10 | kids who love silly humour |
| Narwhal and Jelly: A Narwhal and Jelly Book | Ben Clanton | 5-8 | early readers |
| Owly: The Way Home | Andy Runton | 5-9 | kids who prefer pictures |
| Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth | Judd Winick | 7-11 | action fans |
| Bone: Out from Boneville | Jeff Smith | 8-13 | fantasy fans |
| Smile | Raina Telgemeier | 9-12 | middle school readers |
| New Kid | Jerry Craft | 9-12 | readers who like school stories |
| Amulet: The Stonekeeper | Kazu Kibuishi | 8-12 | adventure fans |
| Zita the Spacegirl | Ben Hatke | 8-12 | space fans |
| InvestiGators | John Patrick Green | 7-10 | pun lovers |
| Cat Kid Comic Club | Dav Pilkey | 6-10 | kids who like to draw |
| Bunny vs. Monkey | Jamie Smart | 7-10 | fans of slapstick |
| Phoebe and Her Unicorn | Dana Simpson | 7-11 | unicorn fans |
| Sunny Side Up | Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm | 8-12 | family story fans |
| Roller Girl | Victoria Jamieson | 9-12 | sports fans |
How We Chose These Books
We looked for real, widely available titles that match the theme and the age range, and we favoured books with clear storytelling and strong reputations with parents, teachers and librarians. Age ranges are suggestions, not rules, so you know your reader best. Previewing a book before you hand it over is always a good idea, especially for sensitive topics.
The 15 Books
1. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
A dog-headed police officer battles Petey the cat. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: kids who love silly humour.
2. Narwhal and Jelly: A Narwhal and Jelly Book by Ben Clanton
Short, funny stories with simple text. Recommended ages: about 5-8.
Best for: early readers.
3. Owly: The Way Home by Andy Runton
An almost wordless story about a kind owl. Recommended ages: about 5-9.
Best for: kids who prefer pictures.
4. Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth by Judd Winick
A boy from space fights robots. Recommended ages: about 7-11.
Best for: action fans.
5. Bone: Out from Boneville by Jeff Smith
Three cousins get lost in a mysterious valley. Recommended ages: about 8-13.
Best for: fantasy fans.
6. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Raina deals with a dental injury and growing up. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: middle school readers.
7. New Kid by Jerry Craft
Jordan starts at a private school where he feels out of place. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: readers who like school stories.
8. Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
Emily and her brother enter a strange world. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: adventure fans.
9. Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hatke
Zita rescues her friend on an alien planet. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: space fans.
10. InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
Two alligator agents solve crimes. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: pun lovers.
11. Cat Kid Comic Club by Dav Pilkey
Baby frogs make their own comics. Recommended ages: about 6-10.
Best for: kids who like to draw.
12. Bunny vs. Monkey by Jamie Smart
A bunny tries to stop a monkey's crazy inventions. Recommended ages: about 7-10.
Best for: fans of slapstick.
13. Phoebe and Her Unicorn by Dana Simpson
A girl and a vain unicorn become best friends. Recommended ages: about 7-11.
Best for: unicorn fans.
14. Sunny Side Up by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm
Sunny spends a summer with her grandfather in Florida. Recommended ages: about 8-12.
Best for: family story fans.
15. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
Astrid joins a roller derby camp. Recommended ages: about 9-12.
Best for: sports fans.
How to Choose the Right Book
For the newest readers, start with Owly, Narwhal and Jelly and Cat Kid Comic Club. Kids who love humour should try Dog Man, InvestiGators and Bunny vs. Monkey. Older readers will enjoy Smile, New Kid and Roller Girl, while fantasy fans should try Bone and Amulet.
Tips for Choosing and Sharing These Books
- Read it first. A quick skim lets you spot anything that might need a conversation.
- Match the book to the child. A reader who loves jokes may prefer a funny pick, while a quiet reader may prefer a gentler story.
- Read together. Pausing to ask what a character might feel or do next turns a story into a conversation.
- Visit the library. Borrowing a few titles from this list lets you find the ones your child returns to.
- Revisit favourites. Children often ask for the same book again and again, and rereading builds confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best book on this list to start with?
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey is a strong place to start, and every book on this list is a good option.
What age are these books for?
The books on this list suit roughly ages 5 to 13, and each entry shows its own suggested range.
Should I read these books aloud?
Many of them work well read aloud, especially with younger children, and older readers may enjoy reading them independently.
Where can I find these books?
Most of these titles are easy to find at public libraries, school libraries and bookshops, and many are available as ebooks or audiobooks, which can help reluctant or struggling readers.
Do graphic novels help kids with dyslexia?
Many families find they do, because pictures support understanding and short text blocks feel less overwhelming. Pairing a graphic novel with its audiobook can help even more.
Related: 15 Best Graphic Novels for 10 Year Olds · 15 Best Graphic Novels for 17 Year Olds