If you’re an author/illustrator in the picture book business, you probably feel like you’re at an advantage—and to be honest, so do those of us who “just” write or are “just” visual artists. While there is value in being able to create an entire work on your own, I’d like you to imagine, for a minute, not using your words. What does it look like to create wordless picture books?

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Visual arts alone can be considered an entire literary work. And, while we’re talking about your art, you can click here to learn more about how to get prepare your art for querying.

Before they could read, all my kids loved to be read to. But when my youngest daughter was a baby, my eldest daughter, who was only two and a half, wanted to “read” to her. She’s brilliant, obviously. But she couldn’t read. So, I invested in wordless picture books. What a joy it was to watch and listen as she narrated wildly innovative stories for her baby sister. It was also really interesting to observe how particular aspects of certain books changed with every reading, and how other things never did. Something about select pictures was uncompromising for her.

I’m making the case for why those of you who are author/illustrators (have I mentioned yet how jealous I am?) out there should sometimes forego the text in your projects.

*disclaimer

I’m not an educator or any kind of expert in literacy. I am a mom of four phenomenal kiddos, though, who run the entire spectrum from, “I hate books,” to “I’m grounded because I got caught reading in the middle of the night on a school night.”

FIVE reasons TO consider writing a wordless picture book

1. READING Comprehension

   Remembering what has happened and predicting what might be to come are key reading comprehension components. And this is exactly what children do when they make up stories as they go along in wordless picture books. They create their own narratives based on what they see, then build upon what’s already happened, and determine what’s likely to happen next as they turn the pages.
   

2. Building Character

   The above also requires the ability to make inferences based on illustrations. Making inferences requires thorough observation and thoughtful reflection. Thoughtful reflection is wonderful skill that builds one’s entire character. Thorough observation is the “attention to detail” requirement on basically every job description.  
   

3. Empowering Kids

   Wordless picture books empower kids to create their own stories (or dozens of them). They practice storytelling, and hone that skill by creating new and exciting storylines over and over again.
   

4. Creating Space

   In a world where adults are constantly correcting them, wordless picture books lend youth a space where there are no wrong answers.
   

5. Encouraging Exploration

   Independence leads to confidence, leads to pride, leads to positive experiences. Positive reading experiences mean kids are more likely to keep reading (except in the case of my reluctant reader). And more. And more. Voracious readers are readers who feel empowered.

titles you’ll love

And just in case I didn’t convince you, here are some of my favorite wordless picture books.

I think “reading” these will make you at least want to try your hand at creating one.

I Walk With Vanessa: A Picture Book About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoët

Aaron Becker’s Wordless Trilogy - Journey, Quest, & Return

One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey by Henry Cole

The Wanderer by Peter Van Den Ende

fly! by Mark Teague

In the very likely event that reading my suggestions isn’t enough, click here for a list from the Reading Middle Grade blog.

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