By Spencer Miller
Almost all of the stories we love are adaptations: retellings, remixes, or reimaginings of older myths, legends, or folklore. A story that began as a fairy tale thousands of years ago, was transformed into a stage play hundreds of years ago and then turned into an animated feature film decades ago is now a brand-new web series streaming online. The way we tell and retell stories is endless.
In the last decade, comics and graphic novels have exploded in popularity with young readers, and publishers have harnessed this interest to reintroduce them to classic and influential stories, now in visual form. The idea isn’t new. Since the emergence of comics as we know them (with panels, captions and such) in the 19th century, they’ve been used to adapt stories for young readers. In fact, Rodolphe Töpffer, credited as the “first comics artist in history”, was a schoolteacher who used his art and stories to engage and entertain his students.
More than popularizing the reading of “classic” texts, graphic novel adaptions breathe new life into stories. Writers and artists are encouraged to bring their own style and interpretations. For example, they might choose to modernize the setting, expand certain events of the plot, or incorporate new themes and issues more relevant to modern readers. Through their artistic choices, the story evolves, becoming something new. How exciting! In their new form, these stories are more likely to reach and be embraced by young readers today.
In recent years, Canadian book creators have produced some truly unique and exciting graphic novel adaptations for young readers. Let’s take a closer look at how stories are evolving in Canada.
A Closer Look
Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort of)
Written and illustrated by Kathleen Gros
HarperCollins, 2022
IL: Ages 8-12
RL: Grades 3-7
Originally written for audiences of all ages, Anne of Green Gables is now widely considered the most popular Canadian children’s book of all time. Since its release in 1908, it has been adapted over and over again. For example, Anne’s story has been told on the stage, in silent films, and on modern streaming services. It's also been retold in picture books, illustrated texts, comics, and graphic novels.
Cartoonist Kathleen Gros takes a lighthearted approach in Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort of). As the title suggests, Gros takes liberties, departing, here and there, from L.M. Montgomery’s original text to modernize and reimagine Anne’s story for today’s readers. In this version, Anne is a teenager in the foster system, taken to live with the Cuthberts in the Avon-Lea apartment complex. Seeing the story through a queer lens, Gros reinterprets Anne’s relationship with a friend. A touch of romance is included as Anne realizes she has “more than friends” feelings for Diana. This addition adds another layer of depth to Anne’s story and invites modern queer readers to connect more deeply with the character.
Borders
Illustrated by Natasha Donovan
Written by Thomas King
HarperCollins, 2021
IL: Ages 10-14
RL: Grades 5-9
First published as a short story in 1993, Borders follows a Blackfoot boy and his mother on a road trip who wind up trapped in limbo for days at the Coutts border crossing. A favourite of Canadian teachers and students, this moving story about identity challenges readers to reconsider how borders function.
In 2021, the story was transformed into a graphic novel thanks to the creative efforts of Métis Canadian illustrator Natasha Donovan. In Donovan’s words, she was given a “(slightly terrifying) amount of creative freedom when it came to the adaptation process.” Starting with the short story, she expanded the characters and plot to produce a script for a 192-page graphic novel. Donovan’s version of the story was crafted with an audience of younger readers in mind. The boy (who remains nameless) feels more centred in the story. Thanks to Donovan’s inventive illustrations, readers see into the boy’s memories, daydreams, and imaginings. Sincere and relatable, he is a character that will stay in readers’ hearts and minds long after reading.
Note: In 2025, author Thomas King admitted that he is not Indigenous. As a result, it’s necessary for Canadians to reconsider how we approach reading and sharing his stories. Natasha Donovan’s outstanding adaptation provides readers with a meaningful reinterpretation of Borders.
Haunted Canada Graphic Novel Volumes 1-3
Illustrated by Hannah Barrett, David Bishop, Mike Feehan, Sara Harding, Maya McKibbin, Jackie Reynolds, Josh Rosen, Matt Salisbury and Jenn Woodall
Written by Joel A. Sutherland
Scholastic Canada, 2024-2026
IL: Ages 9-12
RL: Grades 4-7
For over 20 years, Canadian kids have been entranced by the scary stories of the Haunted Canada series. Like they’ve been put under some sort of curse, readers have returned volume after volume for “frightening true tales” from across the country. Remember the one about a haunted playground in Winnipeg? The ghost boy in the basement of a Montreal theatre? The spirit that inhabited the hockey rink in Canmore? Having these scary stories set in places young readers recognize is all part of the fun!
After twelve volumes (and more than 875,000 copies in print), it only made sense to convert the creepiness into comics. Adapting a series this big has required the talents of a whole team of artists. What makes the Haunted Canada graphic novels so exciting is that each story is brought to life by a different Canadian artist. That means each volume and every story has a unique style and flair. No wonder Canadian kids are captivated!
The Search for Gluscap
Illustrated by Veronika Barinova
Written by Brandon Mitchel
HighWater Press, 2026
IL: Ages 6-8
RL: Grades 1-3
Gluscap (also spelled Glooscap and Kluscap) is a legendary heroic figure of the Wabanaki Peoples, including the Abenaki, Mi'kmaq, Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, and Wolastoqiyik. Stories of Gluscap have been told for generations, with variations existing among different communities. While there are many versions of Gluscap tales, there exist commonalities: Gluscap is a powerful, giant, benevolent being who shapes, creates, and cares for the land.
How do you turn an ancient story into a graphic novel? In The Search for Gluscap, Mi’kmaw creator Brandon Mitchel ambitiously takes on the task. In his story, a young woman named Mali quests to find the long-lost Gluscap to ask for help protecting the salmon in the river. On her search, she encounters allies who share stories about Gluscap and where he may be hiding. In these scenes, Veronika Barinova illustrates Gluscap in different styles. Through this creative approach, Mitchel and Barinova deliver a modern adventure story that stays true to traditional tales.
Silverwing: The Graphic Novel
Illustrated by Christopher Steininger
Written by Kenneth Oppel
HarperCollins Canada, 2023
IL: Ages 8-12
RL: Grades 3-7
First published in 1997, Silverwing follows Shade, an anthropomorphized bat, on a journey to reconnect with his colony. This middle-grade novel took off in popularity with young readers in the early 2000s, spawning sequels and even an animated television series. With the trilogy selling over a million copies worldwide, Silverwing is certainly among the most celebrated and beloved Canadian children’s fantasy stories ever told.
For its 25th anniversary, the book was given the graphic novel treatment. Artist Christopher Steininger was tasked with introducing a new generation of readers to Shade’s story. Steininger’s background in animation and video games is apparent in the highly appealing illustrations that perfectly capture the exciting, high-flying movement of Shade and the other bats. The next book in the series, Sunwing: The Graphic Novel, arrives in November.
Speak: The Graphic Novel
Illustrated by E.M. Carroll
Written by Laurie Halse Anderson
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, 2018
IL: Ages 12-18
RL: Grades 7-12
Published in 1999, Speak was a groundbreaking young adult novel. It tells the story of high school freshman Melinda Sordino, who is sexually assaulted by an older classmate. Written in diary format, the novel follows Melinda after the traumatic event as she grows increasingly isolated and practically stops speaking. Through an art project, Melinda begins to process, heal, and find her voice. Speak is praised for carefully handling difficult but important topics for teen readers. Unfortunately, the novel continues to face censorship and is a frequently banned title.
Canadian and Eisner-winning comics creator E.M. Carroll was entrusted with the graphic novelization of Speak. The adaptation required both sensitivity and creativity from Carroll. How do you show readers what’s going on in Melinda’s mind? How do you reveal her pain? Effectively convey her changing thoughts and feelings? In the details. Carroll’s illustrations are precise. Every hunched shoulder, sideways glance, and twisting frown reveals something about Melinda. In the end, Carroll’s deeply caring approach to visualizing Melinda’s journey has extended Speak’s reach and invited more teen readers to have an important conversation about sexual violence.
Final Thoughts
How do stories change over time? In an afterword to The Search for Gluscap, author Brandon Mitchel explains, “How stories are told and shared is important. We might not realize it right away, but good stories stay and grow with us.” Graphic novels are giving the chance for some of our most loved stories to continue to grow. More than “gateways” to classic stories or “samples” of traditional tales, graphic novel adaptations stand on their own. Graphic novelists show care and consideration in how they transform a text, and telling a story through text and visuals can allow for deeper meaning and new interpretations. This new format can help new audiences find and fall in love with the story. Which classic children's or young adult book would you like to see adapted as a graphic novel next?
Spencer Miller (M.Ed.) is an educator, writer, researcher, and fan of the Toronto Raptors. He currently lives in Calgary (Treaty 7), where he likes to go for walks and visit the library. You can follow more of Spencer’s passion for books on Instagram @SpencerBMiller.