Have a little one in your house who wants to read independently, despite the fact that he/she can’t actually read words yet? You are not alone. A Facebook friend has a child in that situation and asked for recommendations of books without words. It reminded me of when my daughter also wanted wordless picture books she could “read” by herself.
Who said books needed words? And with winter coming, it’s nice to have a few books on hand that you can “read” with your child with a sore throat. You can never be too prepared. Here are some fabulous worlds picture books.
Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner
Another Caldecott Honor Book from Wiesner (are you noticing a trend here?). “Wiesner’s many fans will delight at poring over the detailed account of this master plan, again and again, discovering something new with each successive reading,” says Booklist in a starred review. This book is available in paperback starting today!
Chalk by Bill Thompson
“With eye-catching, realistic illustrations, clever details, and some dramatic suspense, this wordless picture book offers a fresh take on the drawings-come-to-life theme.” – Booklist Review
Wave by Suzy Lee
A New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book in 2008, School Library Journal says, “Lee’s wordless picture book perfectly captures a child’s day at the beach.”
Journey by Aaron Becker
Journey was a 2014 Caldecott Honor Book. “Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship,” Amazon says of it.
Quest by Aaron Becker
Wordless books have sequels? Yes, they do! This is the sequel to Journey, and it’s just as great.
Sector 7 by David Wiesner
This Caldecott Honor Book tells the story of a boy on a class trip to the Empire State Building who makes friends with a cloud (identifiable in the mists by the red mittens, hat, and scarf and swipes from the boy), and goes AWOL on a wonderful adventure to the “Sector 7” floating cloud factory.
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
“A nearly wordless exploration of Aesop’s fable of symbiotic mercy that is nothing short of masterful… Unimpeachable.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review.
Flotsam by David Wiesner
“This wordless books vivid watercolor paintings have a crisp realism that anchors the elements of fantasy. Shifting perspectives, from close-ups to landscape views, and a layout incorporating broad spreads and boxed sequences, add drama and motion to the storytelling and echo the photographic theme. Filled with inventive details and delightful twists, each snapshot is a tale waiting to be told,” says School Library Journal.
The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard by Gregory Rogers
“The plot in this wordless picture book unfolds straightforwardly: a contemporary little boy kicks his soccer ball through the window of an old theater, and when he goes inside to retrieve it, he’s pulled into Elizabethan London, landing right on the stage of the Globe. . . High on action, accurate of scene, and short on character development, the full watercolor-and-ink panels give kids around the world the chance to peek into another era while sympathizing with a contemporary, young protagonist,” says Booklist.
Flora and the Flamingo by Molly Idle
A 2014 Caldecott Honor Book, this lift the flap book is a pink and white confection in which Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore friendship through a lovely, and elaborate, ballet dance. It’s no surprise that the illustrator began her career as an artist working for DreamWorks Animation.
Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
Another sequel! This was released last month, and is perfect for the cooler weather (or if your kid hates pink, or flamingos).
Hug by Jex Alborough
If you were counting, you’d know that this was book number 12. I didn’t count this one because, t admit it, this book has a word. But just one! The word “hug” appears throughout. My daughter loved this one when she was little, and I did too. It makes kids feel like they are really reading.
Another one word wonder is Moo by David LaRochelle.
For more wordless picture books, check out this list on GoodReads and this one from Nerdy Book Club.
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