When a kid reads a graphic novel like Smile by Raina Telgemeier, their brain is doing double duty. They are decoding text while simultaneously interpreting visual cues, facial expressions, and pacing. This is actually higher level processing than just reading text alone.

More importantly, it builds stamina. If a kid finishes a book—even if it's 80% illustrations—they feel like a "reader." That confidence is the only thing that’s going to get them through a 300-page novel later on.

Ages 6-10 Let's be real: the humor is "low-brow." There are poop jokes. It’s chaotic. But Dog Man is the gateway drug to literacy. If your kid is stuck in the "I hate reading" phase, this is usually the cure. It’s fast, it’s funny, and it teaches them how to follow a multi-layered plot.

Ages 8-12 If your kid thinks books are "babyish" compared to the cinematic graphics of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, show them Amulet. The art is breathtaking and the stakes are high. It’s a fantasy epic that feels as big as a Marvel movie but requires actual reading.

Between the pure graphic novel and the "scary" wall of text in a novel lies the Bridge Book. These are books with heavy illustrations, varied typography (big words, bold fonts), and short chapters. They are designed to look "thick" like a real novel to give kids that "I'm a big kid" ego boost, but they are very approachable.

Ages 7-10 This is the gold standard of bridge books. It’s mostly dialogue and pictures, but it introduces the concept of chapters and character arcs. If they liked The Bad Guys movie, they will inhale these.

Ages 8-12 This series is perfect for kids who spend their time in Fortnite or Roblox. It’s a zombie apocalypse story that is funny, action-packed, and uses illustrations to break up the text. It’s a "real" novel, but it doesn't feel like a textbook.

Check out our guide on the best books for gamers

Once they have the stamina, how do we get them to sit with a book that doesn't have a picture on every page? The trick is to lower the barrier to entry.

Don't stop reading to your kids just because they can read. Pick a "reach" book—something a little above their current level—and read a chapter a night. Pro-tip: Stop at a cliffhanger. If they want to know what happens next, they might just pick it up themselves the next morning. Recommendation: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It’s a masterpiece. Short chapters, beautiful (but sparse) illustrations, and a story that hits hard for both parents and kids.

If your kid is struggling with decoding words, their ears can still do the heavy lifting of story comprehension. Listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Audible or Libby while playing with Legos still builds vocabulary and narrative understanding. It makes books feel like entertainment rather than an assignment.

If your kid is obsessed with Minecraft, don't fight it—use it. There are dozens of Minecraft-themed novels that are surprisingly decent. Are they literary masterpieces? No. Are they "Ohio" levels of weird sometimes? Yes. But they get the kid to turn 100 pages of text. That’s a win.

While we want them reading, not all "kid" books are created equal.

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There is a documented "reading cliff" around age 9 where kids' recreational reading drops off. This usually coincides with them getting more access to screens, YouTube Shorts, and more complex video games.

The goal isn't to ban the screens—it's to make sure books stay in the "fun" category. If you turn reading into a "30 minutes of reading before you get 30 minutes of Roblox" deal, you’ve just turned reading into the "work" they have to do to get to the "reward."

Instead, try to find books that feel like the games they love.

Transitioning to novels isn't a race. If your kid stays in the graphic novel lane for two years, they aren't "behind." They are building a visual and textual vocabulary that will serve them well in a digital world.

Stop worrying about the "level" and start worrying about the "love." If they are laughing at a book, they are winning. If they are staying up five minutes late to finish a chapter, they are winning.

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Learn more about how to balance screen time and reading time