[Podcast #278] Comics Make You Smart!

Brave Writer Podcast

Many parents think comics and graphic novels are just a fun diversion, but they are actually a powerful tool for learning.

In this Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore how comics:

  • build literacy skills,
  • introduce advanced vocabulary,
  • and foster a love of reading.

We also discuss how graphic novels bring history and literature to life while encouraging kids to create their own stories.

If you’ve ever wondered whether comics are “real reading,” this episode will change your mind. Tune in now to discover why graphic novels belong in your child’s learning journey!

Show Notes

What if comics aren’t just a tool for building literacy skills—what if they are real literature in their own right?

We’ve all seen children pour over comic books, deeply engaged, laughing at jokes, and even rereading their favorites until the pages are worn. That enthusiasm is not just entertainment—it’s learning in action.

The Power of Visual Literacy

Reading a graphic novel requires a complex interplay of skills. Unlike traditional prose, comics combine text and imagery, encouraging readers to decode meaning from both. Young readers pick up visual cues, interpret body language, and follow non-linear storytelling techniques, all of which strengthen comprehension skills.

Additionally, comics introduce an advanced level of vocabulary in an accessible way. A study found that comic books average more rare words per thousand than adult literature—yes, more than adult books! Comics like Calvin and Hobbes introduce words like “magnitude,” “consequently,” and “hypothetically” in a way that makes kids eager to understand them. Humor, storytelling, and expressive visuals work together to provide context clues that help kids naturally absorb new language.

Expanding Horizons Through Comics

Graphic novels aren’t limited to superhero tales (though those have plenty of merit, too). Many introduce historical events, complex social issues, and diverse cultures in ways that traditional textbooks can’t. Books like March (about the Civil Rights Movement), Persepolis (a memoir about growing up in Iran), and They Called Us Enemy (George Takei’s account of Japanese internment camps) make history come alive in powerful ways.

Even classic literature gets new life in graphic format. Adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, The Odyssey, and other time-honored works help students grasp complex narratives in a more engaging way.

Comics Encourage Creativity

Beyond reading, comics invite kids to create. Whether it’s drawing their own stories or crafting dialogue bubbles, children learn how to sequence events, express emotions visually, and develop their storytelling skills. Even reluctant writers may find that creating comics feels less intimidating than writing long paragraphs.

If your child struggles with traditional book reports, try having them summarize a historical event or scientific process in comic form instead!

Giving Comics a Place on Your Bookshelf

For parents hesitant to embrace graphic novels as part of their child’s learning, consider this: if something gets your child excited about reading, it’s worth celebrating. Comics don’t hinder reading development—they enhance it.

So the next time you see your child curled up with a Bone or Zita the Spacegirl book, know that they’re not just enjoying a story—they’re building skills that will serve them for life.

Resources

  • Sign up for our Text Message Pod Ring to get podcast updates and more!
  • Send us podcast topic ideas by texting us: +1 (833) 947-3684

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Brave Writer Podcast

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Living Literature: Folktales, Myths, and Storytelling

Brave Writer

Use folktales, myths, and storytelling to teach:

  • grammar,
  • punctuation,
  • spelling,
  • and literary devices.

Check out the hand-selected literature guides below (picked for you!).

Just scroll to your child’s age, select a title, and go on a literary adventure!

For Ages 8-14

Dart (ages 8–10) 

Arrow (ages 11–12)

Boomerang (ages 13–14) 

For Littles

Quill (ages 5–7)

Develop pre-literacy skills in reading, writing, and math with your younger children! 

Want more recommendations based on setting, time period, or theme?

Check out our handy Search and Sort spreadsheet and dive down the storytelling rabbit hole!

Brave Writer Mechanics Literature

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Brave Learning: School Rights, Self-Awareness, Chat GPT, and more!

Brave Learning

Recently on Brave Learning…

Local School Rights Infringed by Federal Government

What happened to the concept that local school districts ought to have more power than the federal government in determining education? Are we really okay with that? [More]

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The chief skill we need to impart for successful relationships in life is self-awareness. [More]

Chat GPT and Teen Writing [Public]

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If someone took a photograph of you freewriting right now, what would they see in the background? Describe in detail what (or who!) is behind you. [More]

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

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[Podcast #277] Soul School with Amber O’Neal Johnston

Brave Writer Podcast

How much do you love a great book list? The kind that introduces you to stories you never knew you needed? That’s exactly what Amber O’Neal Johnston has created in her latest book, Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture.

Amber O'Neal Johnston
Amber O’Neal Johnston

In today’s Brave Writer podcast episode, we explore the profound impact literature has on shaping identity. We also look at why it’s essential for all children—not just Black children—to engage with stories from diverse perspectives. Amber shares how Soul School isn’t just a book list, but a guide to curating a home library that reflects the richness of Black American:

  • history,
  • culture,
  • and imagination.

We discuss the power of Afrofuturism, the accessibility of poetry, and how parents can thoughtfully introduce new voices into their children’s literary world. If you’re looking for ways to expand your family’s reading life in a meaningful way, this conversation is a must-listen.

Show Notes

How often do we stop and think about the stories that shape our children’s understanding of the world? As parents and educators, we have a profound influence over the books that make their way into our homes, guiding our children’s perspectives and broadening their imaginations. Yet, so often, we reach for the familiar—the books we loved as children, the classics that have been passed down for generations.

But what if we took a step further? What if we intentionally introduced our children to a richer, more expansive literary feast—one that includes voices and histories they may not naturally encounter?

The Power of Literature in Shaping Identity

One of the most striking points Amber makes is how stories shape identity—not just for children of color, but for all children. When a young Black child primarily encounters their ancestors in history books as enslaved people, that narrative becomes deeply ingrained in their sense of self. Similarly, when white children consistently see themselves as the central figures of history and literature, it shapes their understanding of the world and their place in it.

By introducing a wide range of books that celebrate Black joy, resilience, and creativity, we offer all children the opportunity to expand their worldview. We challenge the notion that Black stories exist only in the context of struggle. Instead, we highlight the richness of Black culture, folklore, music, and imagination.

Reading Beyond the Expected: Afrofuturism and More

One of the most fascinating discussions in Soul School is the distinction between Afrofuturism and African Futurism. While both genres reimagine the past and future through a Black lens, African Futurism is deeply rooted in African culture, mythology, and history, unbound by Western narratives. These stories provide an opportunity for children to see worlds where Black characters are not defined by oppression but by adventure, innovation, and possibility.

Amber also emphasizes poetry as a gateway to a more diverse literary landscape. Poets who offer children a way to engage with language in a powerful, emotional, and rhythmic way:

  • Langston Hughes,
  • Maya Angelou,
  • and Nikki Giovanni

Poetry is universal, and its accessibility makes it a perfect entry point for families looking to introduce new voices into their reading routines.

A Call to Curate More Thoughtfully

As parents, we serve as the curators of our children’s literary experiences. If we’re not actively including diverse voices, then the default curation—historically dominated by white authors—will continue to shape our children’s understanding of whose stories matter. Soul School is not just a book list; it’s an invitation to reassess how we build our home libraries.

When we introduce our children to literature from a variety of cultural perspectives, we aren’t just filling in gaps. We’re giving them a fuller, richer, and more accurate picture of the world. We’re preparing them to engage with different perspectives with curiosity, empathy, and understanding.

Amber’s book provides us with a blueprint to do just that. By weaving cultural education into everyday learning rather than treating it as a separate subject, we model for our children the idea that all stories—especially those that have been historically overlooked—are worth reading, discussing, and cherishing.

Expanding Our Children’s World, One Book at a Time

We have the power to offer our children a literary experience that is both expansive and transformative. Whether through poetry, historical narratives, or imaginative Afrofuturist adventures, the books we bring into our homes shape how our children see themselves and the world around them.

Soul School is an incredible resource for any parent or educator looking to enrich their child’s education with literature that goes beyond the expected. By intentionally diversifying the books we read, we give our children the opportunity to build a broader, more inclusive understanding of history, identity, and humanity. And isn’t that one of the greatest gifts we can offer?

Order Soul School today and start weaving cultural education into your family’s everyday learning.

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA

Brave Writer Podcast

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Monday Morning Meetings

Brave Learning podcasts for kids

We’ve kicked off our five-minute weekly podcast for your kids on Substack!

My goal is to give your kids actionable steps to take control of their learning experience, to make it more meaningful and delightful to them.

The idea is to play the podcast over breakfast and then make a little time that day or later in the week to do the thing.

The first six episodes are FREE:

I look forward to supporting you by going direct to your kiddos and inspiring them to be the brave learners you want them to be.

Enjoy!

Brave Learning with Julie Bogart on Substack

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