Featuring Aimee Smith: @keepabookout
The transition into upper elementary is a pivotal moment for young readers. It is a time when the “learning to read” phase shifts into “reading to learn,” yet for many students, this leap feels like staring across a vast canyon. As a 5th-grade teacher and someone who navigated education with dyslexia, I have seen firsthand how the right medium can build a bridge across that gap.
Graphic novels for elementary learners are not just a trend; they are a sophisticated literacy tool that fosters confidence, comprehension, and a lifelong love of stories.
I recently chatted with Aimee Smith, the brilliant mind behind @keepabookout, to discuss her philosophy on keeping books accessible and why we need to champion visual storytelling.
Building Confidence for Every Reader
For a child with dyslexia, a page of dense text can be overwhelming. Graphic novels offer visual scaffolding that allows them to decode complex narratives without the exhaustion of heavy word-count processing. This builds a sense of mastery. Aimee has seen this sense of pride firsthand within her own home.
Q. At Ramona Recommends, we believe picture books have a universal impact. What was the “spark” book from your own childhood or early motherhood that made you realize books needed to be at the center of your home?
A. It’s interesting. I was raised in a home where books were everywhere. My parents were always reading and they always read to us. But the feeling that really sticks out in my memory was when my mom would bring out the Christmas picture books. Like, The Polar Express, etc. those books are SO nostalgic to me. Like a giant hug.
Q. Your brand name, “Keep a Book Out,” is such a powerful visual. To me, it’s the first step to “Opening the Magic.” Can you tell our readers what that philosophy means to you personally?
A. I think sometimes we overthink things. As parents or educators we want our kids to love reading so we read and we curate collections and we research… but something as simple as keeping books out and accessible can have such a huge impact. Kids are curious. The more the see and can access, the more they will! Keep books out! Keep trying. It will happen.
Creating “Confetti Moments” for Reluctant Readers
When we talk about reluctant readers, we are often talking about children who haven’t yet found a story that moves at their pace. Graphic novels provide high-interest, fast-moving plots that keep readers engaged. Aimee shared a beautiful story about how this medium can even bridge the gap between siblings.
Q. I define a “Confetti Moment” as that special second when a child or adult connects deeply with a story. In your work curating books for your own family, what is a specific “Confetti Moment” you’ve witnessed or experienced recently?
A. My youngest is in first grade and in the last year or so reading independently has really clicked with him. But, one day, his 14 year old brother was reading a graphic novel and passed it to him when he was finished… the way his eyes lit up when he realized he could read the same stories as his older brother was PRICELESS. The pride and sense of accomplishment he felt was written all over his face. It was pure magic.
Q. As a 5th-grade teacher, I see how picture books build community in the classroom. How do you think “keeping books out” and visible in the home helps build that same sense of community and connection within a family?
A. Books have such a special way of helping kids feel connected to the world outside and inside of their home. Discovering someone else’s point of view or seeing your own views reflected is so empowering. I think reading just helps you make sense of the world around you.
Low-Stakes Text, High-Level Comprehension
One common misconception is that graphic novels are “too easy.” On the contrary, they require readers to synthesize text and images simultaneously, a skill called multimodal literacy. This allows students to practice deep comprehension—inferring character emotion from a facial expression or understanding tone through color palette—in a low-stakes environment.
Q. You have such a gift for finding unique and beautiful titles. When you are looking for a new book to recommend, what are the “must-have” elements you look for? (Is it the illustrations, the message, or the “grab-and-go” factor?)
A. I firmly believe you should judge books by their cover. Especially a picture book. Covers have a job to do and that is to entice a reader to pick it up! After that I really try to view the book through the eyes of a child. It can have an amazing message but without an engaging story that message will be lost because kids will stop reading. It has to have kid appeal!
Q. Many of my followers are teachers looking to bridge the gap between school and home. What is one piece of advice you’d give a teacher who wants to encourage parents to “keep a book out” during those busy weekday evenings?
A. We have all become hardwired to pull out our phones at any given moment, but if you can pull out a phone… you can pull out a book! Keep one in the car. Keep one in your bag. They can read while they ride, or while they wait, no need to make it feel like an EXTRA thing to do, you can make it a part of what you are already doing.
The Power of Graphic Novels for Elementary Learners
While some adults may still view these books as “dessert,” Aimee and I agree that they are a vital part of the main course. Beyond consumption, the graphic novel format allows students to apply their skills. In my classroom, I love giving students the opportunity to create their own frames, applying sequencing and dialogue skills in a way that feels like play but acts like rigorous learning.
Q. Aimee, you are a fierce advocate for graphic novels as a true and essential genre. As someone who navigated my own education with dyslexia, I know how vital visual storytelling is for building confidence and comprehension. For the parents or teachers who might still see graphic novels as “dessert” rather than the “main course,” how do you explain their power in building true literacy?
A. Who doesn’t want more dessert? I’m laughing, but seriously, if we want kids to want more reading… give them the dessert! I always encourage parents to look up the science. Studies show how beneficial graphic novels are- especially for building new vocabulary. Why wouldn’t we want our kids to have the benefits graphic novels offer be part of their reading story? This might sound out there too, but I always encourage teachers and parents to try reading some for their own enjoyment. I have several I love to recommend. Most of the time they are pretty surprised by just how powerful they can be at telling stories.
Q. We are all about “Opening the Magic” here, and often graphic novels are the very thing that turns a reluctant reader into a book lover. In the spirit of “Keeping a Book Out,” what is your best advice for displaying or introducing graphic novels so that children (and adults!) see them as a valid, celebrated, and “magical” way to read?
A. Just make them available! Keep them around. Put them in high traffic areas. Let them drag them with them anywhere they go. One of my favorite things about graphic novels is how easy they are to pick up and start reading. Our most popular spot for reading graphic novels at our house is the kitchen table. The read the while they eat breakfast, while they have snack, there is always one laying around.
Part 5: The Rapid-Fire “Magic” Round
Q. If you could only “keep one book out” on your coffee table for the rest of the month, which one would it be?
A.The Old Truck by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey always and forever.
Q. What is your favorite “hidden gem” picture book that you think every classroom library needs?
A. After The Fall by Dan Santat
Q. We love a good theme! Since we’re thinking about February- Black History Month and Valentine’s Day, what is one book that perfectly captures the “magic” of this season?
A. This feels impossible! There are so many! Today…. The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard and Oge Mora or The Last Stand by Antwan Eady
Closing the Book
Whether you are a parent or a teacher, the goal is the same: to foster a environment where reading is accessible, celebrated, and constant. By embracing graphic novels, we aren’t just giving kids “easier” books; we are giving them the keys to a kingdom they might have otherwise felt locked out of.
