Comments on: Want to Get Kids Reading? Try a Comic

By: Gail Myer

Gail Myer — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 17:05:37 +0000

I am a fourth grade teacher from North Carolina. After reading your post about comic books, I decided to take some to my classroom for my students to incorporate in their daily reading activities. My son being an avid comic book reader gave me a box of them to share with my students. I have some very low readers in my class and I am hoping that this will motivate them to read more oftern. I will come and post my results as the school year progresses.

By: Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:44:58 +0000

Thanks, Michelle for the suggestions!

By: Michelle Breum

Michelle Breum — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:38:30 +0000

My kids love comics. I’ve collected some graphic novels and comic titles to share. http://astore.amazon.com/begireadhelp-20?_encoding=UTF8&node=15

By: Michael Spradlin

Michael Spradlin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:56:32 +0000

I could quote a ton of studies that show kids who read for pleasure perform better in school, have better and more vivid imaginations and a host of other ‘positives’ gained from reading. But I believe in reading for the sheer enjoyment of it. And I don’t think we stess that enough with kids today. We’re so overscheduled we think if a kid is sitting around reading, they’re not doing something they should be doing or heaven forbid ‘wasting time’. Nothing could be further from the truth. It’s hard to be a kid today and I think they need stress free and enjoyable activities more than ever. Reading as an adult helps me unwind and relax. Why can’t it do the same for kids? As an author I’ve gotten more letters from kids growing up in very difficult situations and they write to me and say that reading one of my books helps them forget about their troubles. Nothing could make me happier. And as for comics, I’m a firm believer that any story in any medium can teach us something. In comics most superheroes are loyal to their friends, oppose evil in all it’s forms, stand up for the weak and defenseless, and a host of other heroic qualities. Sounds like some pretty good values to me!

By: Keegan Palczewski

Keegan Palczewski — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:32:01 +0000

Great article and so necessary for mothers of boys to read. Growing up with 2 older brothers, I watched them devour comic books when I was younger. Seeing them made me want to try reading comic books as well, but I just could not get into them no matter how hard I tried. So, I gave up even thinking about reading comic books. Now, as a mother of a young boy, I have been reintroduced to them and you are so right about the vocabulary used in them. I have been very impressed while reading them with my son, who absolutely loves them. I have to admit, they still seem a bit silly and over-the-top for me, but my son’s father really enjoys reading them with him. They are a great way to get dads involved.

By: Suzanne Santillan

Suzanne Santillan — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:58:40 +0000

Great Post! As the mother of two teen age boys I am thrilled to watch them sit down with a book rather than turn to electronic media, whatever the book is. I agree with you “Reading is Reading.”
Thanks for sharing.

By: Michael Spradlin

Michael Spradlin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:18:50 +0000

Thank you Connie. It’s great that you’re trying to find some common ground with your grandson. And I think you might be pleasantly suprised at how much the storytelling and artwork has improved in comics today. And as I said. Even if he’s reading comic books, he’s STILL reading. That’s never a bad thing. And if you’re looking for some recommendations I have some on my site http://www.michaelspradlin.com/stuffmikelikes Thanks for stopping by the blog!

By: Constance Colley

Constance Colley — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:46:21 +0000

This is a wonderful article. As a GRANDmother of 14, I often read the same books my GRANDs are reading so we can communicate. It is a great way to broach other topics that may be on their minds they don’t feel they can discuss with their parents. And grandparents, for whatever reason, have more patience, understanding, tolerance and time! If it takes a story to bridge an issue, then I’m all for it. However, I have never thought much about the comic book angle. I have one grandson who is VERY quiet and withdrawn most of the time. He does read comic books but not much else. I’m thinking I should invest in a few of his favorites and bone up on the subject matter. Thanks, Michael! It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks!