Within the past couple of years, authors have changed the demographics of who checks out and reads comic books by writing about topics that are for other people too. While we still have those superhero books (we even have DC Superhero Girls now!), we also have a plethora of amazing non-superhero comic books that are waiting to be read.

When you read El Deafo, you will learn what it's like to be deaf as a little girl. When you read Pashmina, you'll experience what it's like to grow up with a parent from another country. When you read Ghosts, you'll learn all about Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, and celebrate right along with your favorite character.

Comic books, of course, can open a world of imagination as well. Fish Girl tells the story of finding a girl that is actually a fish and befriending her. Lucy is a story of a dog that loves to explore. A reader can even experience Snow White as a comic book!

Many parents who visit the library are unsure if they should allow their children to read comic books, mostly because they see them as almost "cheating" on their reading. However, I say that comic books help children empathize with other kids, help bring bigger words into their vocabularies, give them a chance to infer using picture clues, and help grow their love of reading. While I might not say that they should only read comic books, they are a good relief for the times when they get to choose what they might want to read or when you can't talk them into reading anything else. At least if they are reading a comic book, they are reading something.

Comic books have come a long way from only being about superheroes, and they are absolutely beautiful and exciting. My recent favorite is Ghosts. Give one a try!