Literacy Resources: How Comic Books Can Help BLAST Illiteracy to Smithereens
Comic books have often been for entertainment, and shoved aside as literary “junk food”, but more and more kids are learning literacy through graphic novels and comic books. There are several new programs dedicated to spreading literacy and arts appreciation through comic books.
There is even a movie that has been produced (which has not yet hit the shelves) that documents this movement towards literacy and makes its defense against such phrases as “waste of time” and “junk food for the brain”. Instead, Comic Book Literacy, the documentary, focuses on the fact that children are actually reading…and enjoying it, too! If one starts out with X-Men and grows into loving sci-fi and fantasy books thereafter, the work is done! Words are words, and the Comic Book Literacy movie is out to set the record straight. Find out more about them here!
In New York, the Center for Educational Pathways is taking their own stab at defending comic books, with a separate program dedicated exclusively to comics: The Comic Book Project. Most recently they did a project involving the kids making their very own comic book entitled: “I am a Super Hero.” The kids illustrated the comics and created their own dialogue for each scene. Check out the amazing creations here!
I told you there was something for everyone. This was actually published in 1994.
In recent years, graphic novels have been increasing in popularity, especially with the older set. All originally graphic novels, movie productions further increased interest in reading: The Watchmen, V for Vendetta, and 300 . However, before seeing the movies, some decided to do the reading beforehand and were greatly rewarded, even if some readers were extremely critical of the film adaptations; you can’t please everyone!
Parents: take your kids to the comic books store and help them find a new one to spark their interest in reading.
Kids: start reading comic books!
Everyone else: start reading comic books too—they’re completely worth it.
My top picks:
Blankets by Craig Thompson
Any Archie Comic I can get my hands on. (If a comic book has been around for that long, there must be something going for it!)
P.S. There are rumours of Twilight being re-done as a graphic novel; keep your eyes peeled! The regular novels were enough for me…
February 19th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Yes! Comic books are the best! For the memior-as-graphic novel-minded among you, I would also recommend “Essex County” by Jeff Lemire. Happy looking/reading!