The Panel Pack-Katie the Catsitter

A Monthly Graphic Novel Book Club for Kids in Grades 3-5

Graphic novels can be the gateway to enthusiastic readers. Read the book on your own, then join us monthly for discussion, games, and activities based on our book of the month.

February's book is Katie the Catsitter by Colleen Venable . Register in person at the library. Registration opens January 12th. If your student has dietary restrictions that we need to accommodate, please let us know when you register.

About Katie the Catsitter:

Katie is dreading the boring summer ahead while her best friends are all away at camp--something that's way out of Katie and her mom's budget, UNLESS Katie can figure out a way earn the money for camp herself. But when Katie gets a job catsitting for her mysterious upstairs neighbor, life get interesting.

First, Madeline has 217 cats (!) and they're not exactly . . . normal cats. Also, why is Madeline always out EXACTLY when the city's most notorious villain commits crimes?! Is it possible that Katie's upstairs neighbor is really a super villain?

Can Katie wrangle a whole lot of wayward cats, save a best friendship (why is Beth barely writing back? And who's this boy she keeps talking about?!), AND crack the biggest story in the city's history? Some heroes have capes . . . Katie has cats!

Benefits of Reading Graphic Novels for Kids
1. Builds Strong Reading Skills

• Encourages visual literacy
• Helps with sequencing, cause and effect, and plot development
• Offers context clues through illustrations

2. Supports Struggling and Reluctant Readers

• Less text per page feels less intimidating
• Pictures help decode meaning
• Great for kids with dyslexia, ADHD, or language-based learning challenges

3. Expands Vocabulary

• Exposes kids to rich language in a digestible format
• Supports understanding of idioms, slang, and expressive dialogue

4. Develops Critical Thinking

• Requires readers to infer emotions, motivations, and tone
• Encourages comparing text and image for full meaning

5. Boosts Comprehension and Retention

• Engaging visuals support memory
• Helps kids recall and retell stories more easily

6. Encourages a Love of Reading

• Fast-paced, fun, and often humorous
• Builds confidence as kids finish books more quickly

7. Broadens Access to Diverse Stories

• Graphic novels often explore unique cultures, identities, and perspectives
• Gives kids windows into other worlds and mirrors of their own

8. Inspires Creativity and Artistic Expression

• Kids often start drawing or making their own comics
• Introduces storytelling elements like panel layout and dialogue pacing

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