Celebrating the Power of Comics and Graphic Novels: More Than a Book Week 2025
September 29, 2025Posted by:
Learners across several of our prison education sites joined together to celebrate More Than a Book Week, a national event championing the many forms reading can take. This year’s theme - comics and graphic novels - highlighted a dynamic, inclusive, and increasingly popular way of engaging with stories.
Why comics and graphic novels matter
New research from the National Literacy Trust and The Reading Agency (April 2025) shows:
- 📈 31% of adults now read comics
- 💬 83% of those readers say reading is a vital part of their lives
These findings challenge outdated views about what “real reading” looks like. For some learners, especially those who are neurodivergent or who struggle with traditional texts, comics and graphic novels provide an accessible, enjoyable gateway into reading.
They also offer:
- Quick, visually rich content that fits into busy lives
- Short bursts of reading that build confidence
- A pathway into deeper literacy and imagination
In our prison classrooms and libraries, learners describe reading as a form of escapism, empowerment, and emotional release. By embracing diverse forms of reading, we help more people connect with stories in ways that feel meaningful.
Highlights from the week
HMP Nottingham
Learners enjoyed group and solo reading sessions, role plays based on comics, and creative art classes that brought characters to life.
HMP Ranby
Using blank templates and inspiring prompts, learners designed their own comics. Their work will be collected into a book to showcase their creativity.
HMP Onley & HMP Whatton
Competitions challenged learners to produce short essays about their favourite comics and write captions for existing comic strips.
HMP Stocken
Thirty men gathered in the library for an afternoon of discussions, drawing, quizzes, and music. With support from Shannon Trust learners and education team, learners created their own graphic novel pages. The Catering Workshop added comic-themed cakes, making it a memorable celebration. Importantly, the event encouraged several prisoners who had never visited the library before to borrow books and take away graphic novels.
Looking ahead
More Than a Book Week showed that literacy is not one-size-fits-all. By embracing diverse formats like comics and graphic novels, we can reach learners who might otherwise feel excluded from traditional reading.
At PeoplePlus, we’ll continue to create opportunities that make reading enjoyable, inclusive, and relevant - whether through specialist programmes, creative projects, or everyday library access.
Because every book, every learner, and every story matters.
September 29, 2025Posted by:
