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Comic books aren't just about superheros and villains. And they're certainly not just for boys. Comic books and graphic novels are spread across many different genres, including comedy, drama, sci‑fi and fantasy, and there is bound to be something to suit all tastes, ages and reading levels.For a long time comic books got a pretty bad press. They were the forbidden distraction that schoolchildren slipped inside the pages of real books. One of the best and most obvious benefits of comic books is that they can be more fun and easier to read than regular books. This can be extremely appealing to young children who would otherwise have little interest in reading traditional forms of books. Many children who think they hate reading respond particularly well to comic books that are based on movies or television shows they enjoy, such as Spider-Man and Fantastic Four.Comic books don't intimidate struggling readers with an overwhelming page of text. They usually offer short and easy-to-read sentences, alongside other visual and text cues (e.g. character sighs, door slams etc.) for context. They're also helpful for children with learning difficulties; children with autism can learn a lot about identifying emotions through the images in a comic book. Children with dyslexia, who may find it frustrating to finish a page in a traditional book, often feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete a page in a comic book.Therefore, they give struggling readers confidence for context. They're also helpful for children with learning difficulties; children with autism can learn a lot about identifying emotions through the images in a comic book.Inference refers to figuring out something based on evidence and reasoning. It's an important component of successful comprehension and a valuable life skill for all young children to develop. Comic books can increase inference in young children by encouraging them to “read between the lines” and infer meaning from the images. Children who read comics often need to infer what is not written by the narrator, which is a complex reading strategy.Comic books that explore or touch on historical events, classic tales, wildlife, nature, positive relationships and more can provide a valuable supplement to other areas of learning. For example, if your child is learning about the ancient Egyptians, a comic book story set in ancient Egypt may use pictures to explain important period details, such as clothing, food, rituals, farming. By taking in a combination of words and illustrations, many children obtain the big picture easier than they would from using textbooks alone.On your first visit, create a new account (inputting your Dublin City library card number) and complete registration for the RBdigital comics option. You should use the same email address as for other RBdigital products. Sign up here with your library card and to enjoy a range of excellent graphic novels. If you have registered for RBdigital magazines you can use your RBdigital account details to instantly access Comics.

The fact is that most kids love comedy. Especially when it comes to books. Authors like Roald Dahl, Andy Griffiths, and Lauren Child are so very popular because they write such funny stories. Children, when reading for pleasure mostly want a book that makes them laugh. There are some things in life that just aren’t funny. But humour can still be an effective way to approach and discuss serious matters with children. Funny books make an important and valuable contribution to children’s fiction. Here is a mash-up to get you started. My Life as a Torpedo Test Target by Bill MyersForty feet underwater with a million dollars of gold in reach, Wally McDoogle only has to overcome: Sea monsters. Hostile pirates. A ghost ship. And, of course, the world famous McDoogle klutziness. Will he be able to avoid catastrophe and chaos? Probably not.Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn SoudersThe whole town is talking about what's buried beneath the playground...Windy Bottom, Georgia is usually a peaceful place. Coop helps his mom at her café and bookstore, hangs out with his grandpa, and bikes around with his friends Justice and Liberty. The town is full of all kinds of interesting people, but no one has ever caused a problem. Until now.  And somehow, Gramps is taking all the blame! It seems like there are a lot of secrets that were buried in their small town after all... Will Coop and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery and clear Gramps's name before it's too late?Mr. Marty Loves a Party by Dan GutmanWith more than 23 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! Put on your party hats! It’s time for a birthday celebration you’ll never forget in this fifth book in the My Weirder-est School series. A.J. is turning nine! So he’s inviting all his family, friends, and favorite teachers over for a backyard birthday bash. His parents even hire a popular party planner, Mr. Marty. But what happens when Mr. Marty accidentally orders rival clowns, a bubble blower, and even a singing cowboy to entertain guests? This will be one weird party!Perfect for reluctant readers and all kids hungry for funny school stories, Dan Gutman’s hugely popular My Weird School chapter book series has something for everyone. Don’t miss the hilarious adventures of A.J. and the gang!Big Nate Stays Classy by Lincoln PeirceA deluxe edition of the bestselling middle-grade series featuring over 400 pages of mischief, hilarity, and good times with Big Nate and friends. Includes all of the comics from Big Nate: From the Top and Big Nate Out Loud. Big Nate is in a class by himself. Kids everywhere can relate to Nate as he survives the terrors of sixth grade, facing off against overzealous teachers, under-cooked cafeteria food, and grade-grubbing classmates. Nate may be a troublemaker and the all-time record holder for most detentions in school history, but he gets there in style—taking on everything from glory on the sports field to becoming the lead singer in his friends’ band, with hilariously unexpected results along the way. Grab your backpack and join Big Nate in this extra-amusing collection, as he blazes through the halls of P.S. 38, leaving a trail of destruction, detention slips, and many, many laughs in his wake.The Great Dodo Comeback by Fiona SandifordSo when two feather-brained professors visit her island home on a mission to bring back the dodo, she jumps at the chance to help them. But the famous bird has been extinct for over 300 years - and Sugar King Benny Chouchou will stop at nothing to keep it that way. Can Leni and the squabbling professors achieve the impossible?Access eBooks/eAudiobooks on your phone, tablet or reader. Once you have installed the app, search for Dublin in the ‘Library’ field provided and then sign in using your library membership card number and PIN. Watch our how to video on Borrowbox. Members of other library authorities will need to log in using a different link.

RBdigital Comics makes some of the the best comic titles from major brands and independent publishers available for free to Dublin Library patrons, with something for all ages and tastes. Graphic novels are much longer and tend to be much more complex. While a comic book will tell a story over many issues, graphic novels more often have their storylines wrapped up in only one or two books. This blog is brought to you by our colleague, Kevin, in Kevin Street Library.  On your first visit, create a new account (inputting your Dublin City library membership card number) and complete registration for the RBdigital comics option (please scroll down on this page to explore). You should use the same email address as for other RBdigital products. Sign up here with your library card and to enjoy a range of excellent graphic novels. If you have registered for RBdigital magazines you can use your RBdigital account details to instantly access Comics.To start you off, here are a few recommendations for adult readers: ALIENS: DEAD ORBIT by James StokoeA tale of survival set on a crumbling space station, writer/Illustrator James Stokoe’s graphic novel captures the claustrophobic atmosphere of Ridley Scott’s original 1979 Alien better than any of its comic book predecessors.HELLBOY OMNIBUS VOL. 1-4 by Mike Mignola et al.Collecting the entirety of Mike Mignola’s seminal fantasy-gothic-horror-adventure series in four volumes, this epic story of a working-class demon battling mythical creatures and his own destiny is an absolute must-read and beautifully illustrated throughout.RICHARD STARK’S PARKER: THE HUNTER by Darwyn CookeComics legend Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of the first of Richard Stark’s brutal, efficient crime novels starring the cool-headed, cold-blooded master thief Parker is a tremendous artistic achievement in its own right. Stark’s spare prose pairs beautifully with Cooke’s minimalistic linework and keen storytelling.MARCH: BOOKS 1-3 by John Lewis, Andrew Aydin and Nate PowellBy turns harrowing, uplifting and inspiring, this graphic autobiography of American civil rights icon John Lewis takes us from his childhood on an Alabama farm up through his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, culminating in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches.THE CROW MIDNIGHT LEGENDS: DEAD TIME by James O’Barr, John Wagner and Alexander MaleevOriginally envisioned by original Crow graphic novel author O’Barr as a follw-up to the 1994 film, this story of reincarnation and long-delayed vengeance is brought ferociously to life by Judge Dredd co-creator John Wagner and superstar artist Alexander Maleev. 

This blog is brought to you by Transition Year student, Aisling, on work experience in Pearse Street Library, and it's about her five favourite books ever. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is my favourite book series at the moment.  Five of the six books books have been published so far. The Miss Peregrine’s series is perfect for those who prefer the slightly ‘cryptic’ side of fantasy with chilling photographs throughout. Even as a fan, be aware that the first book can be a bit slow as you only meet the peculiar children halfway through. The Conference of the Birds, released January 14th of this year, means that you will have to wait a very long while for the conclusion.Next we have a classic comic series that always has a special place in my heart, The Adventures of Tintin - (Volume 3). Tintin comics by Hergé are a classic. It features a reporter thrown into the craziest of situations. His trusted dog Snowy, and a sailor trying to quit alcohol, make up the unlikely trio along with a whole bunch of other zany characters. Tintin travels all over the world to solve cases.Carry On, and its sequel, Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell. Carry On asks the simple question, “what if the Chosen One absolutely sucked at their job”, then instantly delivered. Based on the ‘fiction within fiction’ story in Rowell’s other novel Fangirl, Carry On tells the story of Simon Snow and his time among fantastical wizards trying to avoid fighting the ‘Big Bad’ the entire time. Oh, did I mention his boyfriend is a vampire? Yeah, it’s a pretty cool novel, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who feels dissatisfied with the ending of Harry Potter.Comet in Moominland, or pretty much any other story in Tove Jansson’s Moomin series, is a surefire way to increase your dosage of serotonin. My source is this perfect cover. This particular installment is the second novel Jansson wrote for the Moomins and friends. The book debuts of my favourite character in the franchise - Snufkin!He’s the little fellow in red on the cover. The main plot of this story is that a comet is coming to destroy the valley the Moomins call home, and they’re off to try and stop it! It’s probably one of the more serious issues in the series.For my final novel, we’re going back to the classics with my favourite book, The Maze Runner by James Dashner.Despite similiar books like The Hunger Games or Divergent, The Maze Runner is the only one of the post apocalyptic Young Adult novels that stuck with me. I  have read all five and each time I wanted more of this strange universe and the characters. I wanted to learn more about what made Cranks the way they are. This book is also half the reason I picked up a lot of strange slang. My favourite will always be the original novel, though, as it’s about a boy named after Thomas Edison who woke up in a box and ended up surrounded by a maze with a bunch of other boys for company, trying to survive. 

Welcome to the sixth entry in our blog series 'Lost in the Stacks' - recommendations by Dublin City Libraries staff exploring overlooked gems and helping you find your next read!Our entry today comes from Marc and is an eclectic mix of some of his current comic faves, including horror-infused fairytales, university adventures and a spy thriller!Pick and Mix ComicsOnce upon a time, there was horror in children’s tales. However, the continuing 'Disney-fication' and homogenisation of fairy stories mean that children are spared such spinechilling scenes as the agonising death of Red Riding Hood’s Granny and the execution of the Big Bad Wolf at the hands of the Woodcutter.Thankfully, Neil Gaiman is busy teaming up with the world’s greatest illustrators to reinject gore, terror, and bloody murder into our best loved folklore. If you missed his reboot of the fairy tale world with Chris Riddell, The Sleeper And The Spindle, then you simply must catch up with it.In Snow, Glass, Apples, Gaiman teams up with Colleen Doran, whose stunning, stylised art is dedicated to the revolutionary stained glass luminary, Harry Clarke. In this retelling, Snow White is a vampire, and her stepmother lives every day in fear as those around her succumb to the insatiable hunger of the ravenous child. Fans of the macabre will revel in the creepy, gothic atmosphere, and dripping gore.From the ridiculous to the sublime, Giant Days is possibly my favourite ongoing comic series. It’s definitely my favourite book about three girls going to the University of Sheffield. 10 volumes in and the travails of Esther, Daisy, and Susan are no less engrossing and charming. Writer John Allison had previous success with Bad Machinery but his characters have truly come to life in collaboration with artist Max Sarin.If you want to start at the beginning of the series, then look here and skip to the next section because *spoilers ahead* In this latest episode, Daisy and Esther visit a jobs fair for graduates, Susan and her no-longer-secret boyfriend face the first challenges of living together, and Ed Gemmell is in rehabilitation after confessing his love to Esther and/or breaking both his ankles. *end spoilers* Through it all, they show us how to be good friends and better people. What more could you ask for?I stumbled upon The Prague Coup when the Central Library comic book club was looking into French comics. After the USA and Japan, France has the biggest comic book industry in the world. Among the translated gems we found were the Death Of Stalin, Louis Undercover (which turned out to be French-Canadian), and Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Bouncer, which we’ll be reading next month. The Prague Coup turned up completely unexpectedly and immediately piqued my interest.Graham Greene is the main character. It’s ostensibly a true story and tells of his time in post-war Vienna, researching what would become The Third Man; one of the great films of the age. Told from the perspective of Greene’s lover and fellow spy, it’s a tale of mistrust, backstabbing and all the assorted jollities one expects from the Cambridge Spies.

Welcome to the second edition of our new blog series 'Lost in the Stacks' - recommendations by Dublin City Libraries staff exploring overlooked gems and helping you find your next read!This entry comes from one of our most prodigious blog contributors, library assistant Marc and focuses on some of the new comics available to borrow at Dublin City LibrariNew books! New books! Batten down the hatches! Here’s what’s new in Dublin City Libraries ever-expanding catalogue of comics. If you'd like to borrow any of the comics discussed below, simply click on the book cover or title to be taken to the reserves page, where you'll need your library card and PIN to request the book.Lauren Myracle’s Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale is a 200 page graphic novel based on Gotham’s favourite teenage catburglar. Artist Isaac Goodhart uses a single colour of ink, mostly blue with shades of purple for flashbacks and fantasies, to stunning effect. I don’t read Catwoman regularly; even Ed Brubaker’s take on Batman’s frenemy left me cold but Myracle’s background in young adult melodrama makes all the difference in this iteration. It’s unclear right now if Myracle is going to continue with her interpretation of Selina Kyle but I hope she does. Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist is the new graphic novel from acclaimed children’s author, David Almond. No one believes Joe Quinn has a poltergeist in his house, even kids who have seen the flying crockery with their own eyes. Our protagonist, Davie, is the only one who can see what the Quinn’s see. The new priest in town, who is fond of a drink, sympathises too.  Almond’s writing is unsurprisingly moving and realistic.  Combined with Dave Mc Kean’s artwork, the story is gripping and effecting. Like their previous collaborative work, The Savage, it says more about death, and our relationship with it, than is ever stated in the text. Mc Kean’s merging of traditional and digital art forms is the perfect foil for Almond’s efficient storytelling. Joe Quinn’s Poltergeist is as beautiful as it is unsettling.In the wake of Robert Rodriguez’ film adaptation earlier this year, a deluxe edition of the classic manga, Battle Angel Alita has arrived. What’s that, you say? A cyborg bounty hunter in a post-apocalyptic future? Could this BE any more ‘90s? BAA originally ran from 1990 to ’95 and is known in Japan as Gunnm or Ganmu. I get the feeling that something is lost in translation. There are many visual non-sequiturs. Perhaps it reads better in the original Japanese. Nonetheless, despite the fact that it is a quarter of a century old, the characterisation and twisting plot lines have aged well. Battle Angel Alita reads like a classic ‘80s 2000AD tale, worthy of Alan Moore or Grant Morrison at their most creative, daring, and exciting. If we know one thing about Rodney Barnes, it’s that he loves portmanteau titles for his comics. Not satisfied with Killogy and Killadelphia, his latest offering is Quincredible. Quinton West is a reluctant superhero. He became invulnerable in the aftermath of a natural disaster in New Orleans, and now he must deal with neighbourhood bullies, police brutality, and controlling parents. Many modern comics try to inject a dose of realism into their superhero origin stories and Barnes does a good job of it here. A pair of glasses were all Clark Kent needed to preserve his secret identity but Quincredible is rumbled when a local hood recognises his running gait. Can Quin rescue his family, pass his exams, get the girl, and become a legitimate crime-fighter?  You’ll have to read it yourself to find out.