FOR PARENTS · AGES 5–11
Do comics, audiobooks and graphic novels count as reading?
Yes. The DfE's own tips say comics and magazines count as reading. Audiobooks build vocabulary and enjoyment too, though they aren't practice at working out the words.
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Comics and graphic novels are reading. Audiobooks are time with stories, but not practice at reading the words. This guide explains what each kind of reading does for your child, with the latest figures, and how to use them to build a reading habit.
By the Litsee team · Last reviewed · About this guide
The short answer: yes, with one difference
The DfE's tips for parents say reading “it doesn’t just have to be books. There’s fiction, non-fiction, poetry, comics, magazines, recipes and much more.” (DfE). The national curriculum's aim is for children to “develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information” (DfE national curriculum). Reading widely includes comics, magazines and non-fiction.
The one difference is between reading and listening. When your child reads a comic, they're decoding words. When they listen to an audiobook, they're enjoying a story and hearing new words, but someone else is doing the decoding. Both are good for them, in different ways.
Comics and graphic novels
Comics reading is at its highest level since 2017. The National Literacy Trust reports: “In 2026, almost 1 in 2 (45.7%) children and young people told us they read comics or graphic novels in their free time at least once a month.” Younger readers are the keenest: “60.0% of 8 to 11s vs. 33.5% of 16 to 18s” (National Literacy Trust, 2026).
- They're real reading. Speech bubbles, captions and sound effects are all text, and following the story means piecing together words and pictures.
- They're a way in. For a child who says they hate reading, a comic can be the first thing they choose to read.
- They can build stamina. A series can keep a child reading book after book.
If your child resists reading, our guide for parents of reluctant readers has more ideas.
Audiobooks: time with stories, not decoding practice
Audiobooks let children enjoy stories above their reading level, and hear how a story sounds when it's read with expression. Among young audiobook listeners in the National Literacy Trust's 2026 survey, “Of audiobook listeners, 50.3% said listening feels like reading, 36.6% said listening has got them interested in reading and 30.1% said that they sometimes read along while listening.” (National Literacy Trust, 2026).
They work best shared. In a separate 2026 survey of families: “Enjoyment was highest when parents and children listened together (93.5%)”, and “Among families who listened together, two thirds (66.7%) listened at bedtime” (National Literacy Trust, 2026). The reading framework makes the same point about stories read by family: “Children benefit hugely from listening to family members reading aloud to them.” (DfE reading framework).
What audiobooks can't do is give your child practice at working out words. Keep the school book and some reading alone in the week too.
What each kind of reading does
Tap a kind of reading to see what it does for your child, and one thing to add.
“Comics” Reading
Reading words and following a story told in pictures and speech bubbles. Many reluctant readers start here.
Ask: Ask them to tell you what happened between the panels.
“Graphic novels” Reading
Longer stories in comic form, which can have complex plots and rich vocabulary.
Ask: Try one that's a version of a book they might read later.
“Audiobooks” Counts, with a difference
Listening, not decoding: builds vocabulary and love of stories, but isn't practice at reading the words.
Ask: Sometimes read along with the printed book.
“Magazines” Reading
Short, interest-led reading: football, animals, crafts. Easy to dip into.
Ask: Let them read you the best bit.
“Non-fiction” Reading
Facts, diagrams and captions: a different kind of reading that some children prefer.
Ask: Ask for the most surprising fact they found.
“Joke and puzzle books” Reading
Short bursts of reading with a reward at the end.
Ask: Take turns reading jokes aloud.
“Reading on a screen” Counts, with a difference
An ebook or story app can count, as long as your child is reading rather than watching.
Ask: Share some of it with them, and talk about it.
What about reading on a screen?
An ebook or a story on a tablet can count as reading too, as long as your child is reading the words rather than mainly watching. What's on the screen matters more than the screen itself, and sharing some of it with your child helps most. Our guide to screen time and reading has five questions to test any reading app.
Building the habit
- Follow their interests. A football magazine read every week does more than a classic left unopened.
- Mix reading and listening. An audiobook in the car, a comic at breakfast, the school book after school.
- Put it in the reading record. Most teachers like to know what a child chose to read for fun.
- Keep offering something new, without taking away the thing they love.
Questions parents ask
Do comics and graphic novels count as reading?
Yes. The DfE's tips for parents list comics alongside fiction, non-fiction and magazines, and say reading doesn't just have to be books. In 2026 the National Literacy Trust found 60% of 8 to 11-year-olds read comics or graphic novels in their free time at least once a month.
Do audiobooks count as reading for kids?
They count as time with stories, and they build vocabulary and enjoyment, but they aren't practice at reading the words. Use them alongside reading, not instead of it. Half of young audiobook listeners in the National Literacy Trust's 2026 survey said listening feels like reading.
Can comics go in the reading record?
Usually, yes: most teachers want to know what your child chose to read for pleasure. Check what your school asks for, and keep the school book going alongside.
My child only reads comics. Should I worry?
Not on its own. Comics are real reading, and a child who enjoys reading is more likely to keep going. Keep offering other kinds too, read longer books aloud to them, and look for comics that link to books they might enjoy next.
Sources
- Children and young people's engagement with comics National Literacy Trust, 5 October 2026, updated 14 October 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Children and young people's audio listening in 2026 National Literacy Trust, 27 July 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- Audiobooks in the home in 2026 National Literacy Trust, 7 July 2026, updated 9 October 2026, checked 3 November 2026
- 10 top tips for parents to support children to read Department for Education, 16 July 2020, updated 25 April 2022, checked 3 November 2026
- National curriculum in England: English programmes of study (key stages 1 and 2) Department for Education, September 2013, updated 16 July 2014, checked 3 November 2026
- The reading framework Department for Education, July 2023, updated 22 September 2023, checked 3 November 2026
About this guide
Written by the Litsee team and checked line by line against the sources listed on this page.
Figures are from the National Literacy Trust's 2026 reports and describe the groups those reports surveyed. We don't list specific books here; any reading list we add will be checked by a teacher first.
Spotted something wrong or out of date? Email info@litsee.com and we will fix it. Last reviewed: .
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