More about
Wordless
Picture Books
What are wordless picture books?
A children's book genre – books composed purely of visual images
CATEGORIES:
-
Narrative
-
Concept
-
Graphic Novel
-
Almost wordless
​
AGES:
Generally geared toward children ages 2 - 8.
Concept books and point and see books for the youngest readers.
Narrative books range from simple stories for toddlers, to funny, imaginative and surprising stories for preschoolers and kindergarteners, to more complex plots and issues for middle grades.
​
SPREAD THE WORDLESS:
Wordless books are a less familiar genre of picture books, so both children and parents may need an introduction to this genre, information about their value, and guidance on how to read wordless books.
The wordless book is unique in that its content must be communicated solely through the use of illustrations. These images must be able to standalone, without the support of a printed text, and must carry the full weight of the illustrator's intention.
– Crawford & Hade, 2000
A wordless book offers a different kind of experience from one with text, for both the author and the reader. There is no author's voice telling the story. Each viewer reads the book in his or her own way. The reader is an integral part of the storytelling process.
– Weisner, 1992