Skip to Main Content

Children's Literature

What is a Graphic Novel?

What is a Graphic Novel?

Graphic novels are, simply defined, book-length comics. Sometimes they tell a single, continuous narrative from first page to last; sometimes they are collections of shorter stories or individual comic strips. Comics are sequential visual art, usually with text, that are often told in a series of rectangular panels. Despite the name, not all comics are funny. Many comics and graphic novels emphasize drama, adventure, character development, striking visuals, politics, or romance over laugh-out-loud comedy. (Definition from the Internet Public Library).

Children's Graphic Novels at SWIC Library