Comic type books - are they "bad"?

[fridayschild]

My boys aged 6 and 4 are getting into my old Tintin books, and now they have a Ben Ten books which is also comic style. I have in the back of my mind that too many comics are not a Good Thing, in terms of encouraging them to read "proper" books. Equally I think DS1 in particular is getting to the age where he just needs to be encouraged to keep liking books, and books, and at least with the comics I can get him to read speech bubbles aloud to me from time to time. Can I carry on with a mix of comics and other sorts of books, or should I try harder to get them to love proper books?

[Hulababy]

Is it encouraging him?
Is he enjoying them?

If yes - then let him read what he enjoys. Having a love for reading is way more important than the actual books he reads.

[MaryAnnSailors]

That's great that they're getting into the comics. They encourage literacy, and visual literacy also - comics can be quite complex. There will be plenty of 'proper books' in the future. If, further down the years they start getting into graphic novels, they'll need to read 'proper books' to get the references. It's the way forward, encourage!

[WowOoo]

Comics are great!

Could you strike a deal? Say read 1 comic type book and another 'proper' book if it makes you feel better.

I love comics and graphic novels and very proper books. Nothing wrong with looking at pictures.

Ah, Tintin and Asterix! Takes me back....

[WibblyPigRocks]

If he enjoys reading them, then encourage it all you can. I agree with hulababy - a love of reading is the most important thing!

I'm an English teacher (well, I was in my previous child-free life!!) and I always encouraged parents to let their kids read anything they wanted to.

[madwomanintheattic]

comics are a really good way of getting into reading, especially for boys lol. let them enjoy!

(small note - you might want to re-check some of the old asterix comic books lol... we found a corker the other day on grandma's shelves... times have definitely moved on in terms of political correctness lol)

[fridayschild]

Thanks all, that's set my mind at ease. Will go and find something else to guilt out on instead!

[FAQinglovely]

oh definitely agree with those that say love of reading is what you want.

DS1 went through a phase of reading the backs and instructions of his PS2 games, he would pour over them for HOURS - I spoke to his teacher about it worried and she said "does he understand it" - ermm yes he tells me all about what it sayss "does he enjoy it" ermm yes

Well just leave him to it - he's reading and wanting to do it he'll try different reading "material" out as he gets older.

Sure enough 2yrs on (he's 8 now) in YR3 he's bringing all sorts of books home from school. And in a bid to get him to at least stay in his bed I found "The Secret Railway" out for him to take up to read in the mornings when he woke up - that was 2 nights ago - he's just finished it and love every bit of it.

[mrsmaidamess]

My ds was extremely anti reading...until he discovered Captain Underpants which is half book and half comic, and he laughs like a drain at them every night.

We've just got to tackle the writing now.....

[FAQinglovely]

oh and how ironic - DS's are currently watching Horrid Henry on Citv and it's the episode where they have a book reading competition and Henry has never read a book and he's told "comics don't count"

[christywhisty]

My DS just to collect the Jackie Chan magazines. His teacher used to encourage him to bring them in for carpet time because his bf wouldn't read anything at all any other time but would sit and read Jackie Chan.

The only novels ds read before last summer when was 12 was Harry Potter and Captain Underpants.He read a lot of magazines (Top gear a favorite) and listened to tapes and dip in books like Guiness book of records.

He is now a proper little book work with books on order with the library all the time.

They do get there but I found stepping back and letting them read what they want to read works far better than trying to push novels onto them.

[MargaretMountford]

any reading is great imo. ds reads Simpson's comics !
I remember having friends whose very intellectual parents refused them any comics and when they came to play all they'd do is read mine...I took to hiding them under the mattress of my doll's cot.

[PrimulaVeris]

They are brilliant. DS probably learnt more from Beano and Pokemon cards when trying to read than any 'proper' book. And he's well into 'proper' books now

[christywhisty]

My first sentence does not make sense at all it should read

My DS used to collect the Jackie Chan magazines. His teacher encouraged him to bring them in for carpet time becasue his bf wouldn't read at all, but would sit and read Jackie Chan.

Also ds is a "book worm" not a "book work"

[Latchley]

I agree with everyone else here, you should never stop children reading anything, even if your heart sinks slightly at some of the stuff. Between the ages of 8 and 12 I only read pony books, but then went straight onto Jane Austen and have never looked back!

[jabberwocky]

Graphic novels are the new thing to get kids excited about reading. For boys in particular it's a wonderful way to get them excited about books.