Graphic Novels
Along with the many comic book stories I’ve written over the years, I’ve also written a number of graphic novels for young readers. Here they are, newest first.
Some star characters from Club Penguin, The Penguins of Madagascar, and Ryan’s World. Others are original stories about a shy girl and a dog that is definitely not a dragon, a troll who lives under a bridge, a very kind giant, an alien who’s new to school, and a kid who accidentally turns himself into a potato pancake.
THE DAY I BECAME A POTATO PANCAKE
Illustrated by Beilin Xu · Graphic novel · Apples & Honey Press · Ages 7–9 · Published October 2024
A fun-packed graphic novel with Hanukkah-themed, science fiction adventure.
Naomi and her best friend Ben love playing with the cool inventions Naomi’s scientist mother always works on. One day, she and Ben break into her mom’s top-secret lab (otherwise known as the garage) and find the Transfogram, an experimental machine that transforms you into whatever you’re thinking about at the moment. While eating potato pancakes, Ben reaches for the button to see what it does, and next thing he knows, he’s a life-size walking, talking potato pancake!
Naomi’s mom finally concocts an antidote, but Ben discovers that he enjoys being the center of attention at school, and he delays changing back to a human. But the clock is running out, and there’s a mysterious figure watching Ben’s every move: an alien called a Dreideltopian, who collects Hanukkah-themed objects from around the galaxy for his museum, and now he wants to collect Ben!
THE RED TITAN BOOKS (RYAN’S WORLD)
Ready-to-Read Graphics, Level 1 · Simon Spotlight · 2021–2022
Red Titan is the superhero alter ego of Ryan Kaji from the YouTube channel Ryan’s World. I wrote three Ready-to-Read Graphics books starring him: comic-style early readers that introduce beginning readers to panels and speech bubbles.
- Red Titan and the Floor of Lava (May 2022, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante)
- Red Titan and the Never-Ending Maze (December 2021, illustrated by Shane L. Johnson)
- Red Titan and the Runaway Robot (October 2021, illustrated by Patrick Spaziante)
TREVOR, THE VERY BEST GIANT
Illustrated by Miguel Díaz · Discover Graphics: Mythical Creatures · Ages 5–7 · Published January 2021
Lucas Torres is the smallest kid in his grade. But when he meets Trevor, the very best giant, Lucas realizes that his small size just might save the day. Follow the new friends as they use teamwork and discover that there is no right or wrong size. Learn more about these special friends in this graphic novel.
THE TROLL UNDER PUZZLEFOOT BRIDGE
Illustrated by Àlex López · Discover Graphics: Mythical Creatures · Ages 5–7 · Published January 2021
Noah Gruelle knew there was something odd about Puzzlefoot Bridge. But he never expected the clues to point him to Torvald, a troll living under the bridge! A mysterious spell causes Noah to get an even more up-close view of the surprising life of a troll. Learn what happens next in this exciting graphic novel!
FRANKIE AND THE DRAGON
Illustrated by César Samaniego · Discover Graphics: Mythical Creatures · Ages 5–7 · Published January 2021
Frankie Marble is shy. She is afraid of heights. She is too scared to enter the school talent show. But all that changes when she meets Bandit, the dog-that-is-definitely-not-a-dragon! Read all about their adventures in this graphic novel!
THE NEW KID FROM PLANET GLORF
Illustrated by Jess Bradley · Comics Land · Stone Arch Books · Ages 5–7 · Published 2013
In this graphic novel, Nurk, a child from the planet Glorf, journeys to our world, where he meets Sean, a boy who teaches him about what school is like on planet Earth.
THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR: PENGUINS ON A MISSION
Graphic novel · Grosset & Dunlap · Published 2010
With three episode tie-in stories included, plus stickers and a poster, reluctant readers will giggle as they read this silly book.
DISNEY CLUB PENGUIN: SHADOW GUY & GAMMA GAL: HEROES UNITE
Illustrated by Richard Pimentel Carbajal · Graphic novel · Grosset & Dunlap · Published August 2010
This graphic novel tells the origin story of Shadow Guy and Gamma Gal: who they are in their civilian identities, how they met, how they got their superpowers, how they first teamed up, etc. The story is set in the world of the Disney Club Penguin MMO, and it features such beloved CP characters as Gary the Gadget Guy, the Sensei, and Aunt Arctic. Many scenes even take place in well-known Club Penguin locales like the Pizza Parlor and the Dojo. And for those of you who are hardcore Club Penguin fans, yes, I know that Shadow Guy and Gamma Gal aren’t real characters in the Club Penguin MMO – they’re just “roles” you can play in the in-game stage play SQUIDZOID VS. SHADOW GUY AND GAMMA GAL. That’s why the narrator of the graphic novel, Joe the penguin cartoonist, says that he “made up” the story. Technically, it takes place outside of the official Club Penguin canon.
