Most Anticipated Kids’ Graphic Novels – April to June 2026
If your child loves graphic novels, there are some brilliant new titles arriving between April and June 2026. From laugh-out-loud adventures to magical quests and returning favourite series, this season’s releases offer plenty to keep young readers turning pages. If you missed my post on January to March releases you can find it here.
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Graphic novels are a fantastic way to encourage reading. The combination of engaging illustrations and storytelling helps children build confidence while enjoying exciting stories. In this post you will find some of our most anticipated kids’ graphic novels releasing in spring/ Summer 2026.
Buy 2026 Graphic Novel Releases:
Squid Squad: Shrimpily the Best
by Aoife Dooley – 23rd April 2026
Fans of silly humour and colourful comics will enjoy the latest instalment of Squid Squad. This is the second book in this series and we loved the first – Squid Squad: Nothing to Sea Here (currently – 7th March 2026 – on offer at Scholastic for half price) .
This energetic graphic novel follows a group of quirky sea creatures navigating friendship, fun, and underwater mischief. Aoife Dooley’s bold illustrations and expressive characters make this series especially appealing for younger readers. Expect lots of laughs, vibrant panels, and chaotic ocean adventures.
Recommended age: 5+
Agents of S.U.I.T.: Sew Much Trouble
by John Patrick Green with Christopher Hastings and Pat Lewis – 9th April 2026
From the creator of the hugely popular Investigators series comes another action-packed mission. This is the paperback edition following on from the hardback edition that published in January this year. I do love having a choice between hardback and paperback. I often prefer to gift hardback books.
In this spin-off adventure, the secret animal agents of S.U.I.T. (Special Undercover Investigation Teams) tackle a brand-new case filled with gadgets, disguises, and ridiculous situations. John Patrick Green’s fast-paced storytelling and comic timing make this series a hit with children who love mystery, action, and plenty of humour.
Recommended age: 7+
Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom
by Dave Roman – 7th May 2026
Unicorn Boy is a magical and heartfelt graphic novel that blends fantasy with everyday challenges. This one is highly anticipated by us as we were thrilled with the first book in this series. If you’d like to find out more about the first book in this series check out the blog post here with inside images.
The story follows a young hero who must navigate strange magical forces while also figuring out friendship, identity, and bravery. Dave Roman’s expressive art style and thoughtful storytelling create a story that feels both exciting and relatable. Readers who enjoy fantasy adventures with emotional depth will love this one.
Recommended age: 7+
Nina Peanut: Major Drama Alert
by Sarah Bowie – 7th May 2026
Nina Peanut returns in another hilarious graphic diary adventure. Packed with doodles, notes, and comic-style storytelling, Major Drama Alert follows Nina as she deals with school chaos, friendships, and plenty of over-the-top drama.
Sarah Bowie’s playful artwork and relatable humour make this series especially popular with readers who enjoy diary-style books like Dork Diaries. This one is not completely ‘graphic novel’ in a comic strip sense, but there is a high level of drawings to text.
Recommended age: 8+
Legacy: The Shadow Rises
by Zak Simmonds-Hurn & The Fickling Brothers – 7th May 2026
For readers who love epic fantasy adventures, Legacy: The Shadow Rises delivers action, magic, and stunning visuals. We’ve enjoyed these characters in The Phoenix comic and are eagerly awaiting this release.
This story follows a young hero discovering incredible powers while facing dangerous forces threatening their world. With dynamic artwork and a cinematic story style, this graphic novel feels like stepping straight into an animated adventure. Perfect for readers who enjoy fantasy quests and magical battles.
Recommended age: 9+
Unfairies: Death by Toad
by Huw Aaron – 28th May 2026
The Unfairies series continues with another mischievous and chaotic adventure. These are not your typical sparkly fairies. Instead, they are mischievous troublemakers whose magical mishaps create hilarious disasters. In Death by Toad, the fairy world faces another ridiculous crisis.
Huw Aaron’s bold comic style and silly humour make this a fun choice for readers who enjoy absurd fantasy comedy – we certainly do!
Recommended age: 7+
Beano: Betty and the Yeti – Disasters of Disguise
by Hugh Raine – 7th May 2026
The legendary Beano universe brings another laugh-out-loud graphic adventure. Betty and her yeti friend find themselves tangled in ridiculous disguise mishaps and hilarious situations. Expect classic Beano-style humour, expressive characters, and plenty of slapstick comedy.
This is a great pick for younger graphic novel fans and children who love silly storytelling.
Recommended age: 6+
Billy and the Mini Monsters: Monsters Play Football
by Zanna Davidson & Melanie Williamson – 7th May 2026
Billy’s tiny monster friends are back – and this time they’re getting involved in football. This popular series blends illustrated storytelling with comic panels, making it ideal for younger readers building reading confidence. The monsters’ chaotic attempts to play football lead to plenty of funny moments. A brilliant option for early independent readers. We adore Billy and the Mini Monsters. Check out some of the previous books in the series including inside images in this post.
Recommended age: 5+
Squid Bits: That’s a Nice Hat!
by Jess Bradley – 4th June 2026
Squid Bits offers bite-sized comic fun packed with jokes, strange sea creatures, and playful storytelling. They are always a favourite of ours to look forward to in our weekly The Phoenix comic.
Jess Bradley’s bright illustrations and silly humour make this a great introduction to comics for younger readers. Short comic strips and visual jokes keep things fast-paced and engaging. Perfect for dipping in and out of. We’ve been lucky enough to be part of online and in person drawalongs with Jess Bradley and she’s totally lovely and super passionate about her art!
Recommended age: 6+
Pablo and Splash: Viking Voyage
by Sheena Dempsey – 4th June 2026
Time-traveling penguins Pablo and Splash return for another wild adventure. This time, the duo travels to the Viking era, encountering longships, legendary warriors, and plenty of chaotic mishaps along the way. Sheena Dempsey’s lively artwork and energetic storytelling make this series hugely entertaining. A fantastic mix of history, humour, and adventure.
Interestingly, my daughter has never had much interest in history until she started reading this series. It’s a wonderful was to keep history alive for children. If you have a child who enjoys Mr Peabody and Sherman then this series may be ideal for them.
Recommended age: 7+
Juniper Mae: Journey to the Levels Below
by Sarah Soh & Tim Fraser – 2nd April 2026
The magical world of Juniper Mae expands in this exciting new adventure. Juniper and her friends journey into mysterious underground realms filled with strange creatures, unexpected dangers, and magical secrets. The artwork is colourful and imaginative, creating a vivid fantasy world for readers to explore. Ideal for children who enjoy magical quests and imaginative worlds.
Most of the other graphic novels in this list are around A5 in size. This one is closer to A4 with matt pages. We love the quality of Flying Eye Books.
Recommended age: 6+
Investigators: Weather or Not
by John Patrick Green – 4th June 2026
The beloved Investigators return with another laugh-filled mystery. Alligator agents Mango and Brash must solve a case involving wild weather events and suspicious activity. Expect the same blend of action, clever jokes, and comic-style storytelling that made the series such a favourite with young readers. A must-read for fans of the series.
Recommended age: 7+
Final Thoughts
Spring/ Summer 2026 is shaping up to be a fantastic season for children’s graphic novels. Whether your child loves mystery, fantasy, humour, or action, there’s something here to spark their imagination. Graphic novels are a wonderful way to nurture a love of reading, especially for children who enjoy visual storytelling and fast-paced adventures.
I’m a firm believer in not putting age limits on what children read. It’s important to know whether you feel the content is suitable for your child. The age guides in this post and any post on my site are just that. Some children will be ready to read books earlier or later. Don’t feel that your child can’t continue to read books that are potentially an ‘easy’ read for them. Reading is very much about pleasure. I know for me and my daughter we love reading the next book in a series of ones that we love. Returning to characters who have become much loved and familiar setting brings its own joy!
Which of these new releases are you most excited to read?
Buy 2026 Graphic Novel Releases
More Graphic Novels
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