18 Wordless Picture Books for Families
I adore wordless picture books! I think they’re so fun and imaginative, but I also know that they can also be a little intimidating to families. How do you “read” a wordless book? How do you get the story to your kids and are you “reading” it correctly? But, I’m going to let you in on a little secret, it’s a lot easier than you think! And there’s no “right” way to do it! So let me give you a few tips for getting the most of these amazing pieces of art.
How to Use Wordless Picture Books
There are a few simple steps to enjoy wordless picture books:
- Look at the Cover
- What does the title and cover say about the story? What do you think is going to happen when you open the story?
- Take a Picture Walk
- At this stage, you’re only looking at the illustrations to enjoy them, taking notice of what grabs your attention. Let your child lead the exploration as you pour over the illustrations.
- Read the Story
- Now start at the beginning again and read the story. You’re familiar with what’s going to happen after your picture walk, so now you get to expand on the illustrations by creating a story around the characters, setting, and plot you have seen.
- Invite Your Child to Read the Story to You
- Your next step is to encourage your child to create their own story with the illustrations. It doesn’t have to be like your story or even follow the illustrations exactly. Encourage kids to use their creativity and imagination to create their own story.
- Ask Follow-Up Questions
- And finally, ask questions of your little one. Talk about the characters and their choices, why the setting is the one it is, or what might happen next.
The process of reading wordless picture books can take more time than the typical picture books you read every day. Especially because the more time you take with the book, the more you’re going to get out of it. But, I truly believe they are well worth it. The illustrations in wordless picture books are forced to tell the entire story which means they need to be not only gorgeous, but share information. And yes, before I finish up, some of these books may have a few words, but most of these books are primarily wordless.
For more great information about wordless picture books, check out these great resources:
- https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-splendor-of-wordless-picture-books
- https://www.hbook.com/story/how-to-read-a-wordless-picture-book-the-mary-nagel-sweetser-lecture
- https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/raise-a-reader-blog/reading-without-words-why-and-how-wordless-books.html
- https://www.whatdowedoallday.com/tips-for-reading-wordless-picture-books/
- https://www.candlewick.com/book_files/0763665959.btg.2.pdf
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18 Wordless Picture Books for Families
A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka
Any child who has ever had a beloved toy break will relate to Daisy’s anguish when her favorite ball is destroyed by a bigger dog. In the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book Yo! Yes?, Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in pictures the joy and sadness that having a special toy can bring. Raschka’s signature swirling, impressionistic illustrations and his affectionate story will particularly appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.
Bluebird by Bob Staake
In his most beautiful and moving work to date, Bob Staake explores the universal themes of loneliness, bullying, and the importance of friendship. In this emotional picture book, readers will be captivated as they follow the journey of a bluebird as he develops a friendship with a young boy and ultimately risks his life to save the boy from harm. Both simple and evocative, this timeless and profound story will resonate with readers young and old.
Bunny and Tree by Balint Zsako
Bunny and Tree first meet when the tree observes a ferocious wolf threatening the bunny and comes to its protection. From that moment on, there is a bond of trust between the two, which flowers not only into friendship, but amazingly, into a road trip adventure, when Bunny, who’s looking for his rabbit friends, convinces Tree that it’s time to uproot and see the world. Compelled by sympathy and a shared purpose, Bunny and Tree hit the road, becoming another tremendous and memorable picture book odd couple. Depicted in bright colors in a world of lavish skies and so much to see, Bunny and Tree share in wonder, adventure, misadventure, solidarity, and a sense of homecoming.
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
In this charming story, told solely through images, artist Lizi Boyd offers an enchanting exploration of night, nature, and the nocturnal world. One boy’s camping adventure gets even better when he shines a light into the shadows and finds all sorts of nighttime creatures, fascinating insects, plants, trees, and streams—all brilliantly illuminated in the beam of his flashlight.
Float by Daniel Miyares
A little boy takes a boat made of newspaper out for a rainy-day adventure. The boy and his boat dance in the downpour and play in the puddles, but when the boy sends his boat floating down a gutter stream, it quickly gets away from him.
So of course the little boy goes on the hunt for his beloved boat—and when the rain lets up, he finds himself on a new adventure altogether.
Flora and the Penguin by Molly Idle
Having mastered ballet in Flora and the Flamingo, Flora takes to the ice and forms an unexpected friendship with a penguin. Twirling, leaping, spinning, and gliding, on skates and flippers, the duo mirror each other’s graceful dance above and below the ice. But when Flora gives the penguin the cold shoulder, the pair must figure out a way to work together for uplifting results. Artist Molly Idle creates an innovative, wordless picture book with clever flaps that reveal Flora and the penguin coming together, spiraling apart, and coming back together as only true friends do.
Journey by Aaron Becker
A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.
The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney’s wordless adaptation of one of Aesop’s most beloved fables, an unlikely pair learn that no act of kindness is ever wasted. After a ferocious lion spares a cowering mouse that he’d planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher’s trap. With vivid depictions of the landscape of the African Serengeti and expressively-drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning pictures speak volumes.
Mirror by Jeannie Baker
Somewhere in Sydney, Australia, a boy and his family wake up, eat breakfast, and head out for a busy day of shopping. Meanwhile, in a small village in Morocco, a boy and his family go through their own morning routines and set out to a bustling market. In this ingenious, wordless picture book, readers are invited to compare, page by page, the activities and surroundings of children in two different cultures. Their lives may at first seem quite unalike, but a closer look reveals that there are many things, some unexpected, that connect them as well. Designed to be read side by side — one from the left and the other from the right — these intriguing stories are told entirely through richly detailed collage illustrations.
Red Sled by Lita Judge
In this almost wordless picture book, a host of woodland creatures take a child’s sled for a nighttime joy ride. Their whimsical ride is gorgeously depicted in bold watercolor, complemented by humorous expressions and pitch-perfect sound effects. With a timeless tone and classic characters, RED SLED will become a wintertime favorite.
Seasons by Blexbolex
A season is a subdivision of the year, marked by changes in weather, ecology, and hours of daylight. Seasons result from the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth’s axis relative to the plane of revolution. This beautiful picture book lets your baby know different seasons.
The Snowman by Raymond Briggs
The pictures have “the hazy softness of air in snow. A little boy rushes out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his dreams that night. The experience is one that neither he nor young ‘readers’ will ever regret or forget.” – Booklist
10 Minutes Till Bedtime by Peggy Rathmann
At One Hoppin’ Place, the countdown to bedtime is about to begin when a family of hamsters arrives at the front door.”All aboard!” the child’s pet hamster, dressed as a tour guide, shouts, directing them to his bus. It’s off to the kitchen for a snack, to the bathroom for toothbrushing, to the bedroom for a story. And just as the child begins to read, the tour guide looks out the window and shouts, “More coming!” Busloads and carloads of vacationing hamsters stream through the front door, ready to enjoy the escapades as the countdown continues.
Unspoken by Henry Cole
A young girl’s courage is tested in this haunting, wordless story.
When a farm girl discovers a runaway slave hiding in the barn, she is at once startled and frightened. But the stranger’s fearful eyes weigh upon her conscience, and she must make a difficult choice.Will she have the courage to help him?Unspoken gifts of humanity unite the girl and the runaway as they each face a journey: one following the North Star, the other following her heart. Henry Cole’s unusual and original rendering of the Underground Railroad speaks directly to our deepest sense of compassion.
Wait by Antoinette Portis
As a boy and his mother move quickly through the city, they’re drawn to different things. The boy sees a dog, a butterfly, and a hungry duck while his mother rushes them toward the departing train. It’s push and pull, but in the end, they both find something to stop for.
Wave by Suzy Lee
In this evocative wordless book, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl’s day at the beach. Stunning in their simplicity, Lee’s illustrations, in just two shades of watercolor, create a vibrant story full of joy and laughter.
Where’s Walrus? by Stephen Savage
A happy-go-lucky Walrus escapes the zoo in search of adventure in this wordless instant classic.
Bored with life at the zoo, an adventurous walrus escapes to the outside world. With the zookeeper in hot pursuit, Walrus cleverly tries on all sorts of hats to disguise himself. Will a yellow hardhat point to a new life as a construction worker? Or will a red swimming cap reveal his true talents? Follow the happy-go-lucky runaway as he hides amongst firefighters, businessmen, and even high-stepping dancers in this delightful wordless picture book.
Wolf In the Snow by Matthew Cordell
A girl is lost in a snowstorm. A wolf cub is lost, too. How will they find their way home?
Paintings rich with feeling tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Wolf in the Snow is a book set on a wintry night that will spark imaginations and warm hearts, from Matthew Cordell, author of Trouble Gum and Another Brother.
