Accessible Reads for Hesitant Readers

Most kids go through phases of loving books and being less interested in books – this is totally normal! But if you’ve got a kid on your hands who is a reluctant or less-than-confident reader and you’re starting to despair, an illustrated novel can be a great way to ease them into it.

People sometimes worry that graphic novels are somehow inferior to regular, text-only books, but this is totally unfounded! Reading a graphic novel still requires kids to engage with a range of literary devices and new vocabulary. And engaging pictures not only draw in young readers; they can also help them to navigate more difficult passages of text, giving contextual clues that will ultimately help lift their comprehension level over time.

Variety and consistency are keys to raising book lovers. If getting a book into your child’s hands is a struggle, then why not try an illustrated novel to see if it piques their interest? Below, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite accessible illustrated novels for kids…

Pablo and Splash 

Join time-travelling penguins Pablo and Splash on an unexpected adventure to the time of the dinosaurs in this brilliantly funny full-colour graphic novel. Perfect for fans of Bunny vs Monkey or Bumble and Snug. Ages 6+.

Dork Diaries #15: I Love Paris 

Welcome to Nikki Maxwell’s aDORKable world and Nikki’s BRAND NEW ADVENTURE in the mega-selling Dork Diaries series – now with over 50 million copies in print worldwide! With a HUGE global fanbase, Dork Diaries is the perfect series for fans of Lottie Brooks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Tom Gates. Ages 6+.

Ember and the Island of Lost Creatures

Fitting in can be hard, especially when you’re as small as Ember. He’s hoping his luck changes when Lua, a kindly sea turtle, escorts him across the ocean to a school for little creatures on a wondrous island. From Treasure in the Lake‘s Jason Pamment comes a graphic novel of friendship and self-discovery in a gorgeously illustrated world, perfect for fans of Amulet and Lightfall. Ages 8+.

Penny Draws a Best Friend 

Nobody said starting the last year of primary school would be easy, and Penny Lowry’s anxiety means a million questions are always spinning through her thoughts. In this sweet, tender and funny introduction to a lovable kid figuring out how to manage her anxiety, the author of the #1 bestselling Pretty Little Liars series gets to the heart of how to let go of the friends who aren’t right for you – and how to make room for the ones who are. Ages 10+.

Wylah the Koorie Warrior Series: Guardians and Custodians 

Wylah The Koorie Warrior is a heart-stopping and imaginative adventure, inspired by First Nations history and grounded in culture. Full of heart-stopping adventure, starring a hero for the ages and her mega-funny megafauna friends, this best-selling series is a total delight. Ages 8+.

Surprisingly Sarah 

Two choices, two storylines – one surprise ending! Will Sarah be brave enough to ask out her crush or will she lose her nerve? Both stories play out in this funny and heartfelt seventh book in the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends series – read it as a standalone, or come along for the full adventure from book #1. Ages 8+.

The Odds Trilogy 

From million-copy bestseller Matt Stanton comes a hilarious and heart-filled series about imagination, creativity and our unique power within. Kip is a quiet kid in a loud city. She’s easy to miss and that’s the way she likes it. Then, one day, Kip’s quiet life is suddenly interrupted. Ten of her favourite characters have stepped out of their worlds and into hers… Start with The Odds, then move on to Run, Odds, Run, and finish up with The Power of Being Odd. Ages 7+.