For years now, graphic novels have been a flourishing market for kids’ books. When you scroll through lists of the most popular middle grade books, graphic novels like The Babysitter’s Club, Dog Man, and Big Nate are always high-ranking, along with comic/novel hybrids like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. There are many reasons for this, but a big one is that the illustrations provide context, making books less intimidating for new or reluctant readers. And even confident readers enjoy visually immersing themselves in stories. My niece, an avid reader, used to finish a graphic novel in less than an hour; to a bookworm, a fast read equals more books.
Adapting older books into graphic novels gives their stories a chance to be edited and modernized, thereby making them relevant to new audiences. A parent might pick up Hope Larson’s adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time because they loved Madeleine L’Engle’s original, and they know this version will be an easier sell to their kid.
There are other perks as new creators become involved: characters can be reimagined as more diverse, technology can be modernized, and stories tightened. With all those benefits, of course the industry is putting out so many popular children’s books as graphic novels. Here are the latest ones, all 2026 releases.
 Captain Underpants: The First Epic Manga by Dav Pilkey, illustrated by MotojiroGiven the popularity of both Captain Underpants and manga, this adaptation is sure to do well. Following the story arc of the first book of the series, it introduces readers to fourth-graders George and Harold, two boys who love to play pranks and draw comics. Together, they create the comic character Captain Underpants before accidentally hypnotizing their mean principal into becoming their creation for real. |
 Princess Academy: The Graphic Novel by Shannon Hale, illustrated by Victoria YingHale is a prolific and popular author, and her novel Princess Academy is already a Newbery Honor winning classic. Miri lives simply with her sister and father, and, small for her age, she wishes her father would let her work with him in the quarry. Then a message comes from the king, who, after seeking advice from priests, has selected her village as the place where the prince will find his future wife. The king creates a mandatory princess academy to prepare the local girls. Dealing with difficult teachers and classmates is a struggle, as is her own indecision about whether she wants to leave her home and family behind for a royal life. |
 The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel by Meg Cabot, illustrated by Bethany Crandall (June 30th)Famously made into a beloved movie starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, the original novel is an early 2000’s YA classic. This version is for middle grade kids. Mia is endearingly awkward and not particularly popular, but that is the least of her problems. Her mother is dating her algebra teacher—the teacher of a class she’s failing, by the way—and then her dad tells her he’s actually the prince of a country called Genovia. Which means she’s the princess of Genovia, which isn’t something she’s ready for yet. |
 The Boxcar Children Graphic Novel by Gertrude Chandler Warner, adapted by Meika Hashimoto, illustrated by Giovanni Abeille (August 25th)The Boxcar Children has been around a very long time, with Warner’s originals first published in 1942. The series revolves around four orphans who live in a boxcar: Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. This graphic novel introduces the adventure series to new readers using modern illustrations. |
 Front Desk: The Graphic Novel by Kelly Yang, illustrated by Fumio Obata (October 20th)Popular with readers and critics alike, Front Desk is a 2019 kidlit success story. Set in 1993, Mia is initially excited that her Chinese American immigrant parents have become managers of a motel. Unfortunately, the owner is exploitative and continuously rips off her family; nevertheless, they won’t let him deter them from making it work. |
Wondering what other original graphic novels have been published recently? Here are our picks for the best new graphic novels for kids and some recent middle grade mystery graphic novels.
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