Conference Edu World 2014 “Education Facing
to mind when we think of “the classics.” And then there are
Contemporary World Issues,” Ruxandra Viorela Stan
other forms of classics. What about the genre of the Graphic
presented in a paper entitled “The Importance of Literature
Novel? I must admit, I’m a little biased here, as I personally
in Primary School Pupils’ Development and Personal
have never really been a huge proponent of graphic novels
Growth,” that literature holds a prominent role in children’s
over regular novels. But as an educator, I do understand
development since it is not only a tool in language learning,
that they have their place. Graphic novels have long been
but also a source of personal growth for young learners. 2
a savior for those wanting to read but perhaps experiencing
Viorela Stan writes that literature develops crucial
some difficulties reading. And, graphic novels have come a
analytical skills since students learn to work independently
long way from the “Archies” that I read as a child (the only
and present their arguments supported by the studied literary
one I ever read and back then we called them “the funnies.”)
texts. The study of literature encourages empathy, tolerance
There are several series including Nathan Hale’s Hazardous
for diversity, imagination, and emotional intelligence, which
Tales, Secret Smithsonian Adventures, and 24-hour History,
is the understanding of feelings, both of one’s own and of
that are graphic novels, but depict actual eras or events in
others (Kramsch, 2010, 13). 3 Literature educates the reader,
history. As a parent put it to me once, “So the child laughs a
helps him form a set of values and attitudes towards them.
lot and learns something too, a win-win for everyone.” Even
Literature can function
within graphic novels,
as a change agent since
there is the question of
Lower School Librarian Gretchen King reading to Kindergartners.
good literature deals
what is a classic? Boys
with some aspect of
who visit my library
the human condition,
are just as enamored
and can thus contribute
of “Tin Tin” originally
to
the
emotional
created in 1929, as
development of the
they are of any of the
child, and foster
current-day graphic
positive interpersonal
novels available.
attitudes. These values
Beyond the question
and attitudes will be
of what constitutes
used outside of the
a classic, is the even
classroom. 4
bigger question of
Liter atu re he l ps
why
literature
is
children deal with their
important in a child’s
problems. By finding
development. At the
out about the problems
Sixth International
28 • Saint David’s Magazine