Recommend manga for an 8-year-old girl.
February 27, 2009 6:15 AM Subscribe
I need manga recommendations for an eight-year-old girl.
My daughter just turned eight and loves to read, and I thought she might really enjoy some manga -- thing is, I only read American comics and so know nothing about it. So manga readers, where do you start a girl who's eight who likes fairies and magic (and also science) but not so much kissing or relationship drama? She reads at about a sixth grade level but doesn't have sixth-grade interests.
My daughter just turned eight and loves to read, and I thought she might really enjoy some manga -- thing is, I only read American comics and so know nothing about it. So manga readers, where do you start a girl who's eight who likes fairies and magic (and also science) but not so much kissing or relationship drama? She reads at about a sixth grade level but doesn't have sixth-grade interests.
Happy Happy Clover might be a possibility, or maybe Kilala Princess.
posted by gnat at 7:03 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by gnat at 7:03 AM on February 27, 2009
Not actually manga, but certainly influenced by it (and a good fit for an interest in faries and magic) would be Ted Naifeh's Courtney Crumrin. You can read the first issue online free at the link. It's great all-ages reading.
posted by jzed at 7:04 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by jzed at 7:04 AM on February 27, 2009
Seconding Sakura, although there is relationship drama in it (everyone has crushes on everyone--regardless of gender, so if you're squeamish about same sex relationships, you might want to avoid it). It's an incredibly magical, fun series.
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:19 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by PhoBWanKenobi at 7:19 AM on February 27, 2009
Response by poster: Yotsuba&! looks like fun for BOTH my girls. Win!
posted by vraxoin at 8:08 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by vraxoin at 8:08 AM on February 27, 2009
Doraemon! I don't think there's been an official American release, so English translations may be a little hard to come by. But there's some bilingual editions out there. The awesomeness is worth it.
posted by Xere at 8:35 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by Xere at 8:35 AM on February 27, 2009
Second Happy Happy Cover
Ultra Maniac (she will *love love love*) this one (series)
I.O.N (single)
Beauty Pop (series)
Everything Pokemon and Megaman is age appropriate. She'll probably also love anything Hamtaro out there, go for the original books which are in hardbook format.
I have read all of the above and find them pretty neutral for teen issues or the heady stuff. That doesn't mean they're boring though. I think only I.O.N. has a single chaste kiss in it.
If she liked Ultra Maniac, then next I'd go for Full Moon by the same author (series). it's about a young girl who becomes a pop star. I think the only reason it's rated teen is because she's dying and has a year to live... that never inflicted trauma on me though when I was a kid and neither did it for my step-daughter.
posted by eatdonuts at 8:53 AM on February 27, 2009
Ultra Maniac (she will *love love love*) this one (series)
I.O.N (single)
Beauty Pop (series)
Everything Pokemon and Megaman is age appropriate. She'll probably also love anything Hamtaro out there, go for the original books which are in hardbook format.
I have read all of the above and find them pretty neutral for teen issues or the heady stuff. That doesn't mean they're boring though. I think only I.O.N. has a single chaste kiss in it.
If she liked Ultra Maniac, then next I'd go for Full Moon by the same author (series). it's about a young girl who becomes a pop star. I think the only reason it's rated teen is because she's dying and has a year to live... that never inflicted trauma on me though when I was a kid and neither did it for my step-daughter.
posted by eatdonuts at 8:53 AM on February 27, 2009
(oh, and I don't think she actually dies in the end anyway...)
posted by eatdonuts at 8:54 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by eatdonuts at 8:54 AM on February 27, 2009
Good As Lily is an "ass-kicking girl-positive graphic novel for young readers."
posted by ochenk at 9:32 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by ochenk at 9:32 AM on February 27, 2009
Seconding Cardcaptor Sakura. It made ME feel like an 8 year old girl, anyway.
posted by raygan at 11:07 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by raygan at 11:07 AM on February 27, 2009
Response by poster: Consulting my daughter, I was told that "a little kissing" is okay. Could care less about the same-sex stuff. We live in Austin -- half her friends have two mommies anyway.
posted by vraxoin at 11:39 AM on February 27, 2009
posted by vraxoin at 11:39 AM on February 27, 2009
Not fairies and magic.. unless you're talking about baking magic!!! and SCIENCE (baking science)!!! Yakitate!! Japan!
Ugh, I need to go to a Japanese bakery now and eat everything.
posted by spec80 at 11:55 AM on February 27, 2009
Ugh, I need to go to a Japanese bakery now and eat everything.
posted by spec80 at 11:55 AM on February 27, 2009
Not all of Tezuka Osamu's manga is appropriate for younger readers, but Dark Horse's reprints of the best of Astro Boy are great; classic storytelling for any age, the Pixar of post-war Japan.
posted by Bobby Bittman at 7:25 PM on February 27, 2009
posted by Bobby Bittman at 7:25 PM on February 27, 2009
I love Yakitate too, but think it's a bit older than 8 years olds would be interested in. As for cool cooking manga, definitely try Mixed Vegetables. Intended to include that one but my brain be fried today.
I'm actually enjoying this one as it's recently published. Lots of food fun.
posted by eatdonuts at 11:29 PM on February 27, 2009
I'm actually enjoying this one as it's recently published. Lots of food fun.
posted by eatdonuts at 11:29 PM on February 27, 2009
FYI: there's no same sex action in any of those above picks.
posted by eatdonuts at 11:29 PM on February 27, 2009
posted by eatdonuts at 11:29 PM on February 27, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
Maybe check out tokyopop and browse through their fantasy manga, too.
posted by emmling at 6:39 AM on February 27, 2009