Magic and Adventure in Kids Graphic Novels!

by John Patrick Green

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7 books

Every book gets better with a touch of magic! The graphic novels on this reading list will fill you with magic and excitement.

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Unicorn Boy

Dave Roman, 2024

What’s a more magical adventure than waking up one morning and finding out that you’re secretly a unicorn? Well . . . that’s only the beginning for the Unicorn Boy, who manages to have an adventure including magical baked goods, tiny kittens, and the triumph of best friendship. Dave Roman’s super cute, super sweet artwork is unmissable!

Next Stop

(A Graphic Novel)

Debbie Fong, 2024

Debbie Fong tells a wonderful story about a girl who is grieving the loss of her brother – and her inability to deal with her parents, when their struggles to deal with their own grief and loss mean they aren’t there for her. This results in a marvelous solo road trip adventure through an increasingly magical landscape (giant watermelon! fortune-telling peaches!) with a can’t-miss-it tremendous caving culmination.

Snapdragon

Kat Leyh is amazing! This graphic novel is about a girl who acquires a mentor in a taxidermy-ing older woman who lives in the middle of the woods – who she slowly realizes has a secret, long-forgotten connection with her family. As they work together, the taxidermy gradually begins to reveal magical secrets!

Pilu of the Woods

Mai K. Nguyen, 2019

This book has wonderful drawings of nature and fantastic depictions of working through grief and anger. When Willow runs away from home and meets Pilu in the woods, the two of them tackle their feelings (and Pilu’s magical nature) together. Mai Nguyen’s charming, bubbly art makes this book a must-read.

Hilda and the Troll

Luke Pearson, 2015

Luke Pearson is an amazing cartoonist, and his Hilda graphic novels are marvelous! They feature a girl named Hilda, whose life in the countryside and then in the city is filled with magical animals and creatures, inspired by Scandinavian mythology. Hilda also has the best-ever animal companion: a deer fox, who has extremely adorably tiny antlers!

Zita the Spacegirl

Ben Hatke, 2010

Zita is the best outerspace kid adventurer! When she accidentally activates an interstellar portal, her friends gets sucked in – and she dives after him. How best to solve this problem and get home again? The solution is in making friends – with creative and whimsical magical discoveries along the way. All of Ben Hatke’s interlinked graphic novels are marvelous!

This Was Our Pact

Ryan Andrews, 2019

Each year, the holiday paper lanterns float down this river. Obviously, this is the impetus for an amazing bicycling adventure! As Ben and Nathaniel travel down the river, their mostly mundane life turns much, MUCH more magical. And Ryan Andrews’ art is absolutely gorgeous!