Red Sled

by Lita Judge

Summary: At night, a host of woodland creatures play with a child's red sled.

This book is wordless, except for the sounds that are made throughout the story. Such books are ideal for sharing with pre-readers on a one-on-one basis. The simplicity of the story allows for a young child to be creative in narrating a story of their own based upon the pictures.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

The Game of Mix-up Art

by Hervé Tullet

Summary: Presents colorful paintings on split pages to allow young readers to mix up the pictures to make new artistic creations.

This book contains pages that are cut. Hence, the illustrations on each page can be changed when parts of the pages are turned. I did not especially care for this book, but I suppose it may be valuable in developing an interest of books in young children.

Interest Level: birth-age 4



Fox and Hen Together

by Béatrice Rodriguez

Summary: In this sequel to The Chicken Thief, the chicken goes on an adventure when the refrigerator is empty and finds a surprise when returning home.

This wordless book’s illustrations depict interesting events. The illustrations are not extremely detailed, however, that may aid children in creating their own unique story.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Bee and Bird

by Craig Frazier

Summary: In this wordless picture book, a bumblebee and a bird embark on a travel adventure.

The bright illustrations in this book did not appeal to me. However, the illustrations are simple enough that very young children will be able to narrate a story. Wordless books are meant for children to use their creativity and develop an appreciation for books.

Animals Home Alone

by Loes Riphagen

Summary: After a young girl and her father leave, the animals left in the house engage in all sorts of antics, with the fish leaving his bowl, the cat calling his friends, and the dog trying on shoes.

This is a funny book with very detailed illustrations. As with all wordless book, the reader should ask children what they think is happening and to tell a story from the pictures. When reading with a young child one on one, it is appropriate to play a “find and point” game which entails asking a child if they can point out certain details in the illustrations.

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Carl's Afternoon in the Park

Carl’s Afternoon in the Park
by Alexandra Day

This is mostly a wordless book. The first and last pages contain dialogue between two women putting Carl the Dog in charge of a puppy and a baby. The three have adventures together in-between.

This is a great book to pick out details and ask what a child thinks when reading one-on-one. A child can tell a story themselves! I would however, want to let a child know that I would never leave them in charge with a dog, no matter how smart the dog is!

Interest Level: ages 2-4

Librarianjk recommends The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse

by Jerry Pinkney

Summary: In this wordless retelling of an Aesop fable, an adventuresome mouse proves that even small creatures are capable of great deeds when he rescues the King of the Jungle.

The pictures in this book are fabulous, especially in depicting a ferocious lion. I have never seen this fable as a wordless book; in fact, even the front cover is wordless! This book is excellent for working with a child one on one to develop pre-reading skills. Adults, who may not be comfortable asking a child what is happening in a story they do not know themselves, may want to read this tale with words ahead of time.

Librarianjk recommends Flotsam

Flotsam

by David Wiesner

Summary: The story of what happens when a camera becomes a piece of flotsam.

This is a very creative story. As with all wordless book, it is wonderful for teaching pre-reading skills, and asking children what is happening in the pictures. For older children, they may write a story about what is happening in the pictures.

Interest Level: ages 2-4, grades k-3

Mirror/Mirah

Mirror/Mirah

by Jeannie Baker

Summary: In Sydney, Australia, and in Morocco, two boys and their families have a day of shopping. Readers are invited to compare illustrations in two wordless stories that are intended to be read one from left to right and the other from right to left.

This is a beautifully illustrated wordless book. There is text at the beginning and the end of the book, but the story itself contains photographed collages and no words. This book is stupendous for celebrating differences, but more importantly similarities. This is a bilingual book containing both English and Arabic text.

Interest Level: grades k-3

Librarianjk recommends Tuesday

 

Tuesday

by David Wiesner  

Summary: On a Tuesday night, frogs float through the air on their lily pads and explore people’s houses.

This book is interesting to say the least. As with all wordless picture books, an adult may ask a child to create a story from the pictures.