The following is a guest post by Vanessa Ruiz from Families Embracing Diversity. This post contains affiliate links.
You probably know by now that homeschooling isn’t for the faint of heart, especially if you are trying to do it bilingually. Reading comics and graphic novels in Spanish may be just what you need to keep the routine fun and your kids engaged. Here are some of our favorites:
Domingo Teporingo by Marcos Almada Rivero
Ages 8-10
This is a four-part series (Verano, Otoño, Invierno, and Primavera) about a rabbit who lives in the forest near Popocatépetl, a volcano in Mexico. Readers follow the rabbit on his adventures, alongside his friends, throughout the changing seasons.
Liniers (AKA Ricardo Siri)
Ages 4+ (depending on the title)
This is the name of the artist instead of the comic itself because he has many great titles to choose from but they aren’t presented in a series like many of the other authors listed. Liniers is an Argentine comic artist who has been publishing comics since 1997. Some of his famous works are:
Macanudo- a daily comic strip originally published in Argentine newspapers but quickly gained fame world wide.
Conejo de Viaje- the animated stories of Liniers, represented by a rabbit, traveling throughout France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Antarctica.
El Globo Grande y Mojado- The story of two children out exploring the fun side of a rainy day.
Buenas Noches, Planeta- An imaginative tale about the adventures of a child’s stuffed animal, Planeta, after the child goes to sleep.
Escrito y Dibujado por Enriqueta- A young girl’s experience writing her first book.
Pafman by Cera and Ramis
Ages 7+
This Spanish comic series is a great one for superhero fans. However, this superhero is not your typical muscular, bad guy beating, macho man. Instead, he is clumsy and looks nothing like a superhero. However, he and his side kick, a talking cat/inventor, do everything they can to save the world from evil.
Mafalda by Quino
Ages 7+
This comic was written by another Argentine creator, Quino. Malfalda is the story of a six year old girl with a big personality. The first Mafalda comic was published in 1964 in an Argentine magazine, revealing this six year old girl’s comic interpretation of the adult world. Mafalda quickly became well-known and loved throughout the world.
Hombre Perro (Dog Man) Series by Dav Pilkey
Ages 6-12
This series is the story of a literal Dog-Man who has the head of a dog and the body of a police man. The conjoined pair solve crimes and get into some funny situations. The pages are filled with child-friendly humor, puns and word play that will make both you and your child smile. At the moment, there are ten books in the Dog Man series and most have been translated into Spanish.
Capitan Calzoncillos by Dav Pilkey
Ages 7-10
This is another ten part series by Dav Pilkey that has been translated into Spanish. In this series, two kids hypnotize their school principal and turn him into a superhero- Captain Underpants. With corny jokes, potty humor and pranks galore, it may be just the series you need to get your reluctant reader hooked on a book.
Zita la Viajera Espacial by Ben Hatke
Ages 9-12
When Zita’s best friend is abducted by aliens, she heads into space to save the day. To her own surprise, she becomes a space super hero, fighting aliens of all kinds to save her friend. The space creatures will keep a smile on your face while the adventure keeps you wanting to read more.
This book is also part of a series. The next two are Zita, la Leyenda and Zita, el Retorno.
El Temerario Jack by Ben Hatke
Ages 8-12
This series is by the same author as Zita. In fact there is even a book with Jack and Zita together. The story tells of a young boy Jack, who trades his mom’s car for a box of seeds. When he plants the seeds, he gets a garden full of aliens and the crazy adventures begin.
As you may have guessed, this is a modern day spin off of Jack and the Beanstalk mixed with a little bit of science fiction.
Astérix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Ages 7-12
This series has also been around for more than 60 years with 39 different volumes. Although it was originally a French series, it is has since been translated into over 100 languages.
The series tells of Asterix, a small but strong warrior from Gaul, defending his village from the Roman Empire alongside his friends. They work together to beat the impossible odds and keep everyone safe.
El Club de las Baby-Sitters (The Baby-Sitters Club) by Raina Telgemeier/Ann M. Martin
Ages 7-11
These graphic novels are a modern day version of Ann Martin’s series the Baby-Sitters Club, which was wildly popular in the 90’s. At the moment, there are four graphic novels in this new series but more of the 130 original novels are set to be converted into graphic novels in the coming years.
The Baby-Sitters Club is about a group of friends who run a babysitting business in their community. The stories show the ups and downs of running their business and prove that with determination and perseverance, you can create something big.
Fantasmas by Raina Telgemeier
Ages 8-12
Really, any translated graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier is bound to be a great read. This one tells of a family who moved to northern California to give the youngest child a better life with her cystic fibrosis. Come to find out, Day of the Dead is a big deal in this new community and it ends up being just what both sisters need to come to terms with their new reality. Some of her other popular titles are Drama, Sisters, and Smile.
Cuando Brillan Las Estrellas: Una Novela Gráfica Necesaria by Victoria Jamieson
Ages 9-12
This book tells the tale of two brothers growing up together in a refugee camp. They face constant struggles- not enough food, not much to do, and no medical care. Yet, they are able to create a sense of family despite their difficult situation. This story has the perfect mix of heartbreak, hope and humor.
Perdidos en NYC by Nadja Spiegelman
Ages 8-12
Pablo, a young boy, gets separated from his classmates in New York City. At first he isn’t sure how he will ever find them again but thanks to some basic knowledge of the city and a new friend he meets along the way, his story has a happy ending.
El Cartero del Espacio by Guillaume Perreault
Ages 8-11
A postman gets a new route that takes him much further than he’s ever gone before- to space! However, he is dedicated to his job and will do whatever it takes to get his packages delivered, even if it means a crazy outer space adventure to unknown planets.
Super Sorda by Cece Bell
Ages 8-10
In this graphic novel, the author tells her story of losing her hearing and using a hearing aide. The device helps her hear everything she needs to, and some things she doesn’t, but it also makes her feel like an outcast. Eventually, she finds a way to use what made her feel different to find her place among her peers.
Your Local Library
Although we don’t all live in diverse areas with lots of Spanish options at the local library, most libraries have a program where you can check out books from any of the libraries within their network, often called inter-library loan.
Which means, even if you local library has a dismal Spanish section, you may be able to check out Spanish language books anyway. You can often find what is available through the library’s website or by asking a librarian.
TOON Graphics
Toon Graphics has a plethora of leveled readers in graphic novel form to help your new reader gain confidence in their reading abilities while having fun. They have an entire section dedicated to graphic novels that have been translated into Spanish.
Amazon.com
As you can see by the links above, all of these titles are available on Amazon.com.
Bookshop.com
This online bookstore supports local book stores with each purchase. So, you can still shop local online. You can also find the majority of the titles listed above on their website.
Hopefully, now that you have this giant list of comics and graphic novels in Spanish and know where to find them, you and your child can spend hours reading, and laughing, in Spanish together.
Vanessa Ruiz is a mother of two bilingual boys, former Spanish teacher and early childhood educator turned writer. She also runs the website, Families Embracing Diversity, a resource to help families learn to embrace our differences today in order to give our children a better tomorrow.
You probably know by now that homeschooling isn’t for the faint of heart, especially if you are trying to do it bilingually. Reading comics and graphic novels in Spanish may be just what you need to keep the routine fun and your kids engaged. Here are some of our favorites:
Comics and Graphic Novels in Spanish (originally written in Spanish)
Ages 8-10
This is a four-part series (Verano, Otoño, Invierno, and Primavera) about a rabbit who lives in the forest near Popocatépetl, a volcano in Mexico. Readers follow the rabbit on his adventures, alongside his friends, throughout the changing seasons.
Mortadelo y Filemón by Francisco Ibáñez
Ages 7+
These comics were first published in 1958. There is even a 60-year anniversary edition that gives us a glimpse of the characters sixty years later.
The series tells of Mortadelo and Filemón, two awkward secret agents, and their work in the T.I.A. (a play off of the C.I.A). However, their crime fighting adventures rarely go as planned, leaving readers laughing and eager to read more.
This comic was originally written in Spanish but became so famous that it has been translated into twelve different languages.
13, Rue del Percebe by Francisco Ibáñez
Ages 7+
This comic is by the same author as the last but it isn’t quite as well known. 13, Rue del Percebe is based around a drawing of an apartment building. You get an inside look at all of people who live inside the apartment building going about their every-day lives... and sometimes doing not so everyday things.
La Matadragones by Jamie Hernandez
Ages 8+
This graphic novel was released in both English and Spanish but since it is based upon Latin American tales, I put it in the originally written in Spanish category. “La Matadragones” or the Dragon Killer, takes classic tales from Isabel Campoy and Alma Flor Ada and gives them a modern-day spin.
Zipi y Zape by José Escobar
Ages 7+
This is a Spanish comic that was first released in 1948. It tells the story of two mischievous twins and the turmoil they create wherever they go. The series was so popular that there are several movies, a TV series, and even video games based on the characters.
Liniers (AKA Ricardo Siri)
Ages 4+ (depending on the title)
This is the name of the artist instead of the comic itself because he has many great titles to choose from but they aren’t presented in a series like many of the other authors listed. Liniers is an Argentine comic artist who has been publishing comics since 1997. Some of his famous works are:
Macanudo- a daily comic strip originally published in Argentine newspapers but quickly gained fame world wide.
Conejo de Viaje- the animated stories of Liniers, represented by a rabbit, traveling throughout France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Antarctica.
El Globo Grande y Mojado- The story of two children out exploring the fun side of a rainy day.
Buenas Noches, Planeta- An imaginative tale about the adventures of a child’s stuffed animal, Planeta, after the child goes to sleep.
Escrito y Dibujado por Enriqueta- A young girl’s experience writing her first book.
Pafman by Cera and Ramis
Ages 7+
This Spanish comic series is a great one for superhero fans. However, this superhero is not your typical muscular, bad guy beating, macho man. Instead, he is clumsy and looks nothing like a superhero. However, he and his side kick, a talking cat/inventor, do everything they can to save the world from evil.
Mafalda by Quino
Ages 7+
This comic was written by another Argentine creator, Quino. Malfalda is the story of a six year old girl with a big personality. The first Mafalda comic was published in 1964 in an Argentine magazine, revealing this six year old girl’s comic interpretation of the adult world. Mafalda quickly became well-known and loved throughout the world.
Translated Comics and Graphic Novels in Spanish
Hombre Perro (Dog Man) Series by Dav Pilkey
Ages 6-12
This series is the story of a literal Dog-Man who has the head of a dog and the body of a police man. The conjoined pair solve crimes and get into some funny situations. The pages are filled with child-friendly humor, puns and word play that will make both you and your child smile. At the moment, there are ten books in the Dog Man series and most have been translated into Spanish.
Capitan Calzoncillos by Dav Pilkey
Ages 7-10
This is another ten part series by Dav Pilkey that has been translated into Spanish. In this series, two kids hypnotize their school principal and turn him into a superhero- Captain Underpants. With corny jokes, potty humor and pranks galore, it may be just the series you need to get your reluctant reader hooked on a book.
Zita la Viajera Espacial by Ben Hatke
Ages 9-12
When Zita’s best friend is abducted by aliens, she heads into space to save the day. To her own surprise, she becomes a space super hero, fighting aliens of all kinds to save her friend. The space creatures will keep a smile on your face while the adventure keeps you wanting to read more.
This book is also part of a series. The next two are Zita, la Leyenda and Zita, el Retorno.
El Temerario Jack by Ben Hatke
Ages 8-12
This series is by the same author as Zita. In fact there is even a book with Jack and Zita together. The story tells of a young boy Jack, who trades his mom’s car for a box of seeds. When he plants the seeds, he gets a garden full of aliens and the crazy adventures begin.
As you may have guessed, this is a modern day spin off of Jack and the Beanstalk mixed with a little bit of science fiction.
Astérix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo
Ages 7-12
This series has also been around for more than 60 years with 39 different volumes. Although it was originally a French series, it is has since been translated into over 100 languages.
The series tells of Asterix, a small but strong warrior from Gaul, defending his village from the Roman Empire alongside his friends. They work together to beat the impossible odds and keep everyone safe.
El Club de las Baby-Sitters (The Baby-Sitters Club) by Raina Telgemeier/Ann M. Martin
Ages 7-11
These graphic novels are a modern day version of Ann Martin’s series the Baby-Sitters Club, which was wildly popular in the 90’s. At the moment, there are four graphic novels in this new series but more of the 130 original novels are set to be converted into graphic novels in the coming years.
The Baby-Sitters Club is about a group of friends who run a babysitting business in their community. The stories show the ups and downs of running their business and prove that with determination and perseverance, you can create something big.
Fantasmas by Raina Telgemeier
Ages 8-12
Really, any translated graphic novel by Raina Telgemeier is bound to be a great read. This one tells of a family who moved to northern California to give the youngest child a better life with her cystic fibrosis. Come to find out, Day of the Dead is a big deal in this new community and it ends up being just what both sisters need to come to terms with their new reality. Some of her other popular titles are Drama, Sisters, and Smile.
Cuando Brillan Las Estrellas: Una Novela Gráfica Necesaria by Victoria Jamieson
Ages 9-12
This book tells the tale of two brothers growing up together in a refugee camp. They face constant struggles- not enough food, not much to do, and no medical care. Yet, they are able to create a sense of family despite their difficult situation. This story has the perfect mix of heartbreak, hope and humor.
Perdidos en NYC by Nadja Spiegelman
Ages 8-12
Pablo, a young boy, gets separated from his classmates in New York City. At first he isn’t sure how he will ever find them again but thanks to some basic knowledge of the city and a new friend he meets along the way, his story has a happy ending.
El Cartero del Espacio by Guillaume Perreault
Ages 8-11
A postman gets a new route that takes him much further than he’s ever gone before- to space! However, he is dedicated to his job and will do whatever it takes to get his packages delivered, even if it means a crazy outer space adventure to unknown planets.
Super Sorda by Cece Bell
Ages 8-10
In this graphic novel, the author tells her story of losing her hearing and using a hearing aide. The device helps her hear everything she needs to, and some things she doesn’t, but it also makes her feel like an outcast. Eventually, she finds a way to use what made her feel different to find her place among her peers.
Where to Find Comics and Graphic Novels in Spanish
Your Local Library
Although we don’t all live in diverse areas with lots of Spanish options at the local library, most libraries have a program where you can check out books from any of the libraries within their network, often called inter-library loan.
Which means, even if you local library has a dismal Spanish section, you may be able to check out Spanish language books anyway. You can often find what is available through the library’s website or by asking a librarian.
TOON Graphics
Toon Graphics has a plethora of leveled readers in graphic novel form to help your new reader gain confidence in their reading abilities while having fun. They have an entire section dedicated to graphic novels that have been translated into Spanish.
Amazon.com
As you can see by the links above, all of these titles are available on Amazon.com.
Bookshop.com
This online bookstore supports local book stores with each purchase. So, you can still shop local online. You can also find the majority of the titles listed above on their website.
Hopefully, now that you have this giant list of comics and graphic novels in Spanish and know where to find them, you and your child can spend hours reading, and laughing, in Spanish together.
-----
Vanessa Ruiz is a mother of two bilingual boys, former Spanish teacher and early childhood educator turned writer. She also runs the website, Families Embracing Diversity, a resource to help families learn to embrace our differences today in order to give our children a better tomorrow.
In her spare time she enjoys reading books on diversity and culture, traveling when possible with her family and friends, and spending time outdoors.