An initiative our team at POP ROC Cereal Bar & Comic Shop supports is getting graphic novels and comic books into the hands of children. We believe they have a significant impact on a child’s development on many levels from reading and comprehension to their own character development. Our goal is to raise up children who identify as a reader and feels confident picking up any book.

An article published by Parents.com states, “Research from the University of Oregon found that comic books averaged 53.5 rare, or more complex, words per 1,000. That's more than children's books which average 30.9 and even adult books at 52.7. One study found that graphic texts promote learning and better recall. Another found that students had the best reading comprehension and enjoyed reading the most when they read graphic novels. They also motivate reluctant readers to pick up a book.” 

Scholastic.com also agree that comic books and graphic novels help raise “super readers”. There are several benefits for children and young readers to dive into this type of literature. One benefit is that not all comic books and graphic novels are about superheroes or detail graphic storylines. Stories such as Pride and Prejudice have been turned into graphic novels and other stories have won the American Library Association's Printz Award. Teachers and librarians have shown their support for graphic novels and comic books in classrooms while paneling at comic cons, stating these as some of the benefits and skills strengthened by graphic novels: motivating reluctant readers, inference, memory, sequencing, understanding succinct language, and reading comprehension. Scholastic.com also has stated that “Teachers and librarians on the "Why Should I Let My Child Read Comics?" panel agreed that graphic novels are great for kids with learning disabilities. Children with autism can learn a lot about identifying emotions through the images in a graphic novel. Additionally, for children with dyslexia, while it might be very frustrating for them to finish a page of a traditional book, they often feel a sense of accomplishment when they complete a page in a comic book. Accomplishment is important. It's a huge self-esteem booster and leads to kids naturally wanting to read more.” 

This is an initiative we take seriously. We opened a comic shop, donate comics to the Golisano Children's Hospital, give away books to those who need access to heroes and encouragement, donate to libraries, just reduced our Comic Discovery Membership by 50% to only $10 a month were members can read as many and any title they want and receive a 10% discount on all purchases while in our shop, we leave comics out on our tables and counters for people to browse through free while hanging out, have a little bookshelf in the back room where games and toys are to encourage people to pick up a graphic novel and stay a while, successfully launched the first ever multi-venue, pop culture, outdoor, all inclusive comic con (Super City) this past August, and we are currently working towards launching new comic and graphic novel programs in December and January! We have also built relationships with comic creators and other comic vendors over the years, and one partnership we are ecstatic about is our relationship with Co-CEO of Archie Comics, Nancy Silberkleit. This woman is a fierce force for good and someone we look up to. She is a “pro-literary, pro-environment, anti-bullying advocate.” She embodies the core values we stand for and is living the mission we strive to fulfill at POP ROC Cereal Bar & Comic Shop.

So, we’re reaching out to ask if there are any public school teachers reading this, or if you know a teacher, in grades 4 and up, that would consider bringing Archie Comics Digest into their classroom for downtime reading, positive behavior encouragement, and to help students find the love of reading? This can be any teacher in the country, so if you don’t know one, please share this and ask. If the response is YES, please contact Nancy at nancy.archiecomics@gmail.com, the Co-CEO of Archie Comics.

We are also asking that if you are interested in partnering with us to find and/or fund different ways to give children and young readers access to comics and graphic novels, to please reach out to us directly at poprocculture@gmail.com or stop in at 337 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604. We value fun, creativity, community, and safety, and our mission is to build and share childlike faith, joy, and wonder with everyone. We are open to ideas and believe in giving an idea a chance as long as it is in alignment with our core values and mission. 

We are working towards building up a generation of people who have an affinity for literacy as well as confidence, kindness and boldness to step out and step up for themselves, their peers and their community.

“Comic books + children = reading.” - Nancy Silberkleit.

Thank you ❤️