Hi All!
In my classroom, wordless picture books function both as entertainment and inspiration. Over the years, I have used wordless books as writing prompts to encourage storytelling and descriptive language. And because many of these books are Caldecott award winners, the illustrations serve as many art project ideas. In a time when children’s imaginations are bombarded with directives, these beautiful books give students a much-needed chance to think for themselves!
Let me know what your favorite wordless picture books are in the comments below! And click on the book covers to see their Amazon listing.
“Tuesday”, David Wiesner
Not only do the illustrations in this story warrant it’s Caldecott award, but the improbability of its story line is absolutely inspiring for young (and not so young) audiences. Flying frogs? On a Tuesday? Why? Well, why not? When teaching this story, I encourage students to identify specific elements in the pictures that contribute to their predictions, which helps them build their ideas around storytelling, as well as encouraging attention to detail.
“The Red Book”, Barbara Lehman
A story inside a story, inside a story… this story is a fantastic tool for comparing and contrasting characters as the story moves from one place to another. There are zero words in this book, so it is also great for writing prompts and using descriptive language to articulate details.
“Journey” series, Aaron Becker
Please go to your local independent bookseller and purchase this series. Right. Now. “Journey”, “Quest”, and “Return” are truly some of the most beautiful and inspiring books I have on my shelf. In an ode to imagination, a young girl uses her magic crayon to create a doorway to another world, and from there is met with adventure in whimsical faraway lands. This is also one of my personal favorite books to gift to families, as it captures how the power of imagination can expand our worlds beyond belief.
“Sector 7”, David Wiesner
On a school trip to the Empire State Building, a young boy is befriended by a cloud and carried off to the fantastical factory of cloud formation. As in all his other gorgeously illustrated books, Wiesner captures a sense of adventure and inspires imagination in all his readers.
“Good Night, Gorilla”, Peggy Rathmann
Kick off the school year with this clever story about a zookeeper and his mischievous animals. With simple, repetitive language and comic-like illustrations, this story spans that jump from preschool to kindergarten and inspires students to begin noticing details in stories.
“Good Dog, Carl” books, Alexandra Day
I grew up with Carl, and it is a joy to continue sharing these stories with my students! Carl is the best dog any family could ask for. Taking the kids on adventures while keeping them safe, he’s part nanny, part friend, and absolutely more than a pet- he’s family!
“Have you seen my Duckling?”, Nancy Tafuri
While this story does have some words, the pattern of text supports early readers as they transition from having books read aloud to making meaning independently. Mother Duck races around the pond looking for her missing duckling while the rest of her little ones trail behind. I’ve included activities about counting, call-and-response, and even safety with this text!