The Books With Pictures Story
Books With Pictures was founded by Katie Pryde and opened its doors on Free Comic Book Day in 2016. From its inception, the store has prioritized inclusivity and diverse representation, aiming to be a welcoming space for all readers, especially those from marginalized communities. In recognition of its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, Books With Pictures was awarded the 2022 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, an honor that acknowledges outstanding comic book retailers worldwide.
Katie and Andréa began planning a "sister store" to Books with Pictures in Eugene, OR in 2018, aiming to expand their mission of creating inclusive community spaces that celebrate the diversity of comics and their readers. After a year of preparation, Books with Pictures Eugene opened on March 3, 2020—just two weeks before Oregon's lockdown orders began. Despite the rocky start, the community rallied, and the shop didn’t just survive—it thrived!
The Graphic Novel Library
After years of running comic shops, Andréa and Katie know that the publishing landscape for comics and graphic novels is fast-moving, unpredictable, and difficult to navigate. After spending time working with schools and libraries in their own communities, Katie and Andréa knew their skills as retailers could help hardworking librarians and educators build, diversify, and sustain outstanding graphic novel and manga collections. And thus, The Graphic Novel Library was born!
