Graphic novels for kids
30 hand-picked books from the Bookbear catalogue tagged “graphic novel”, with Indian authors first. Each one has an age range, a short description, a heads-up on any sensitive topics and a link to buy in India.
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Reggie Rabbit: The Great Carrot Heist
by Swapna Reddy
Ages 5–9Indian author
Can amateur detective Reggie Rabbit solve the mystery of the missing carrots? A humorous heist in comic book style.
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Sita's Ramayana
by Samhita Arni / Moyna Chitrakar
Ages 9–12Indian author
The Ramayana retold entirely from Sita's point of view — a powerful, nuanced graphic novel illustrated in traditional Patua scroll art. A NYT graphic novel bestseller, ALA Notable Children's Book, and South Asia Book Award honor book.
Heads-up: War & battle violence
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Tales of Birbal (Amar Chitra Katha)
Ages 5–9Indian author
Birbal's legendary wit against all challengers — in Amar Chitra Katha's iconic comic format, one of India's most beloved children's comics for over 60 years.
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Krishna (Amar Chitra Katha)
Ages 6–9Indian author
The iconic retelling of Lord Krishna's life — from his miraculous birth to his role in the Mahabharata — in vivid, memorable Amar Chitra Katha comic panels.
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Menstrupedia Comic: The Friendly Guide to Periods for Girls
by Aditi Gupta, Tuhin Paul & Rajat Mittal
Ages 9–14Indian author
A friendly Indian comic in which a doctor 'didi' explains periods, puberty and hygiene to three girls — clear, unembarrassed and myth-busting. Used in thousands of schools.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Gulu: The Essential Guide to Puberty for Boys
by Aditi Gupta & Tuhin Paul
Ages 9–14Indian author
The Menstrupedia team's comic guide for boys: body changes, feelings, hygiene — and understanding periods so boys grow up respectful and informed.
Heads-up: Puberty & sexuality
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Savitribai and Jyotirao Phule (Amar Chitra Katha)
by Sanjana Kapur
Ages 8–14Indian author
The Amar Chitra Katha comic on the couple who opened India's first schools for girls and fought for the education of all.
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Naturalist Ruddy
Ages 9–14Indian author
A ruddy mongoose turns nature detective in the forests of central India, solving 'crime scenes' that turn out to be the strange, true behaviour of lesser-known animals, insects and plants. A witty comic that mixes natural history with whodunnit, from the creator of Green Humour.
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'Carri-on', Ruddy!
Ages 9–14Indian author
Naturalist Ruddy, Kanha Tiger Reserve's resident mongoose detective, is back. Claw marks on trees, cannibal bees, lichens that threaten lizards: Ruddy travels across India to crack nature's oddest cases. The sequel to Naturalist Ruddy.
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The Great Indian Nature Trail with Uncle Bikky
by Rohan Chakravarty & Bijal Vachharajani
Ages 7–12Indian author📱 eBook only in India
Ornithologist Uncle Bikky, his wildlife-photographer niece Chunmun and their dog Duggu travel from deserts and wetlands to rock formations and forests, meeting India's bugs, birds, mammals and reptiles. WWF-India's comics, collected with jokes, trivia and activities.
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The Great Indian Nature Trail with Chunmun
by Rohan Chakravarty & Bijal Vachharajani
Ages 10–14Indian author
Eighteen-year-old Chunmun, a keen birdwatcher like her ornithologist uncle, wins an explorer's grant and sets off across India to photograph and write about the creatures she finds. Comics by Rohan Chakravarty with nature essays by Bijal Vachharajani.
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Consent (for Kids!)
by Rachel Brian
Ages 6–10
A funny, comic-style guide to boundaries, respect and being in charge of your own body, from the creator of the 'Tea Consent' video.
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Blue Barry & Pancakes: Beach Ball Bedlam
by Dan Abdo & Jason Patterson
Ages 5–9
Join three unlikely friends in a hilarious, wacky adventure packed with silliness and heart.
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Amelia Cheeseheart: Mummy Mayhem
by Cat Weldon
Ages 5–9
Amelia and Webster must find out who is stealing objects from the museum — and why. Action-packed comic strip style.
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Detective Stanley and the Mystery
by Hannah Tunnicliffe
Ages 5–9
Stanley the Detective dog is brought out of retirement for one last intriguing case. Highly illustrated and hilarious.
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Meet the Mubbles
by Liz Pichon
Ages 5–9
The mischievous Mubbles live on the Isle of Smile until a mysterious delivery causes chaos. Liz Pichon's first graphic novel.
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One Smart Cookie
by Mika Song
Ages 5–9
How can the squirrels get an endless supply of cookies? They have a plan! A funny graphic novel for newly confident readers.
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Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here…
by Aoife Dooley
Ages 5–9
A gang of deep sea creatures embark on four hilarious adventures in this vibrantly illustrated graphic novel.
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Boss of the Underworld: Shirley
by Tor Freeman
Ages 8–9
A very funny graphic novel about Shirley's adventures after falling down a manhole into the underworld.
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Supa Nova
by Chanté Timothy
Ages 7–9
Young scientist Nova invents a plastic-eating organism to solve plastic waste — but Chomp causes chaos. Vibrant sci-fi graphic novel.
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Toby and the Pixies: Worst King Ever
by James Turner
Ages 8–9
Toby discovers an enchanted kingdom in his garden and is crowned King of the Pixies. Laugh-out-loud graphic novel, utterly bonkers.
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Captain Underpants
by Dav Pilkey
Ages 6–9
George and Harold create comics about their superhero Captain Underpants. Irresistibly silly and beloved by reluctant readers everywhere.
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Diary of a Wimpy Kid
by Jeff Kinney
Ages 8–9
Greg Heffley navigates the terrors of middle school in this hilarious illustrated diary. A global phenomenon that has turned millions of children into readers.
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New Kid
by Jerry Craft
Ages 8–9
Jordan Banks is a Black kid from Washington Heights who wins a scholarship to a fancy private school — and has to navigate two very different worlds. Newbery Medal winner. Honest and funny.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination
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Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
by Lincoln Peirce
Ages 7–9
Nate Wright is convinced today is the greatest day of his life — and sets a school record for detentions trying to prove it. A hugely fun comic-strip novel for reluctant readers.
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Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth
by Judd Winick
Ages 8–12
A robot boy crashes to Earth and befriends D.J. and Gina, who must help him battle the alien robots following him. A riotously fun, action-packed graphic novel series for all readers.
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The Last Kids on Earth
by Max Brallier
Ages 8–12
Jack Sullivan builds a fortified treehouse and battles zombies and monsters in a post-apocalyptic town — somehow managing to make the end of the world hilarious. Illustrated, laugh-out-loud spooky fun.
Heads-up: Scary / horror
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Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
by Stephan Pastis
Ages 8–12
Self-styled detective genius Timmy Failure runs his own agency with a 1,500-pound polar bear as his business partner — utterly convinced he's brilliant, and utterly wrong. Deadpan hilarious.
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Booked (Graphic Novel)
by Kwame Alexander & Dawud Anyabwile
Ages 10–13
Twelve-year-old Nick loves football more than anything, but a divorce, a crush and a bully get in the way — the Newbery winner's verse novel as a graphic novel.
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The 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones (Graphic Novel)
by Rick Riordan
Ages 9–13
Siblings Amy and Dan race around the world following clues to their family's secret — the graphic novel of the first 39 Clues book.
