Wordless picture books are stories told entirely with pictures. These unusual titles use sophisticated art and visual design standards to communicate complex ideas and plots without any text at all. Like other picture books, the wordless variety can cover any topic or theme under the sun within a typical 32-page format.
Although wordless picture books don't involve traditional reading, they are anything but simple. Without a set narrative, readers are required to create the plot in their imaginations as they proceed through the book.
This complicated process involves applying knowledge of story structure and art conventions, and empathizing with the characters in order to interpret their actions and expressions. Because all this is done without the explicit support of text, each reader's experience of a book is unique: much of the meaning that they derive from the text self-created. In many ways, the reader becomes the co-author of her own reading experience.
Although wordless picture books can be aimed at any audience, there are many titles that are perfect for school-aged kids. Students in Grades 2 to 4 will love David Wiesner's complex, whimsical flights of fantasy. Tuesday is a classic wordless book about one very unusual night. At around 8 p.m., a flotilla of frogs rises from the pond on their lily pads and proceeds to soar around the countryside astounding and harassing the local residents as they go. Kids will howl with laughter as the frogs relish the shock that their new-found power creates.
Sector 7, also from Wiesner, is a completely different kind of book. On a field trip to the Empire State building, a boy leaves his class behind and heads off on an adventure with a friendly cloud. His new buddy sneaks him into the massive cloud control centre, where local clouds get their weather assignments; when the clouds complain about their boring jobs, the boy exercises his artistic skills and sends them out in some hilariously creative shapes. Best suited for older elementary readers, this story touches on friendship, independence and the power of imagination.
School-aged kids will also enjoy Barbara Lehman's Museum Trip and Rainstorm. In Rainstorm, a young boy plays by himself in a huge, lonely mansion above the sea. When he finds a secret trapdoor, a new world of boisterous friendship is opened for him. Museum Trip also stars a young boy who slips into a work of art when his class visits a museum. Any kid who has ever wanted to head off on his own adventures instead of following the class will be glued to the pages as his experience unfolds.
Chalk is a newer title featuring Bill Thompson's startlingly photorealistic art. When a diverse group of children find some chalk in the park, they discover that their drawings come to life. That's no problem when the art is butterflies or sunshine but when somebody draws up a dinosaur... look out.
Younger children can build their powers of empathy and inference with titles such as Sylvia Van Ommen's The Surprise. In this charming book, Sheep plans and works to create the perfect surprise gift for his best friend. Kindergarten kids will learn about the value of friendship and empathize with Sheep's altruistic and generous feelings as they read the tale. Because the reader must place herself in Sheep's shoes, wordless titles like this one are powerful ways to support social learning.
There are many wordless picture books in print, with a wonderfully wide variety of themes and topics. All the titles listed above, plus many more, are available through your local public library. Ask a librarian for help finding the perfect title for your child.
A Good Read is a column by Tri-City librarians that is published every Wednesday. Maryn Ashdown is head youth services librarian at Port Moody Public Library.
