Parents' View of Graphic Novels in Hong Kong Under the 21st Century Mobile Digital Environment

Abstract

This study reviews the current parents' perspectives and habits of using graphic novels, including electronic equipment, in Hong Kong to support children's reading and learning. Parents were invited to participate in semi-structured group interviews based on our five research questions. The authors employ a thematic analysis approach to analyze the data and determine the similarities and differences between the literature review and the current mobile digital environment. The findings indicated that respondents were not keen on using graphic novels to support their children's reading and learning. The two main reasons were inadequate understanding or bias on graphic novels and the wide availability of online digital materials for reading and learning support. Scant studies focus on graphic novels in parent-child reading from parents' perspectives, especially in the Asian context, though graphic novels are becoming a worldwide trend. Parents' opinions about this issue are invaluable for educators and librarians in curriculum design and collections development.