New research confirms that comics help raise literacy standards in children
 
Research conducted by Lakes International Comic Arts Festival, overseen by Prof. Andrew Miles, Professor of Sociology at the University of Manchester, has found that comics inspire a love of reading in children and improve standards of literacy. You can read more about this here:
https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/article/comics-the-answer-to-the-uks-literacy-crisis/

Here are some of the highlights from the report:

The average reading age of the class involved in the comics intervention rose by 18 months in the 12 months after the workshops started. The comparison group saw a rise of only 11 months.
Two thirds of the parents of this group noted specific changes in reading habits in their children, including interest, independence and confidence in learning.
The pupils spoke enthusiastically about receiving and reading The Phoenix comic at home, where it was often read also by participants’ siblings.
By the end of the project, the number of students agreeing that being given a book as a gift would make them happy had risen by 13 percent while there was a decline of 14 percent among the comparison group.
The number of children who listed reading as one of their favourite leisure activities doubled in the comics group, while it reduced in popularity among the comparison group.
 
We have a great comic/graphic novel collection in the library and an even more extensive collection on SORA https://soraapp.com/library/uksecondary

If you see your child engaging with a comic, please don’t be disparaging about it, or tell them to read a “proper book”. Think of it as the gateway to a lifelong love of reading which will grow and develop as they do.