Books to "read" together - that don't have words!

How can you read a book with no words? You read the pictures! Even kids who aren't reading words yet can read pictures - especially if it's a story they've seen before.

Understanding story structures - that stories have a beginning, middle, and end - is a part of early literacy skills development. Telling the story of a wordless book is a great way to develop that skill.

Pro tip: Reading the pictures (even if the book has text) is also a way to share that one current favorite that you're SO TIRED of reading aloud (you know the one). While repeating books over and over is great for kids' brains, it can definitely be boring for the adults. So why not let your child "read" the story to you this time?

Here are some great books without words (or with very few words) that are fun to share!

ANOTHER by Christian Robinson

A girl and her cat find an alternate universe and meet themselves there. I adore Robinson's cut-paper and crayon (?) illustrations. They are playful, and match the tone of the wordless text. Ask you child - what's happening in each illustration? Would they like to go on a similar adventure?

A BALL FOR DAISY by Chris Raschka

A little dog takes a walk with their person and their favorite ball. But the ball is accidentally popped and OH! the poor pup is so sad. You can FEEL the emotions in Raschka's evocative illustrations. But rest assured - there's a happy ending!

FLOAT by Daniel Miyares

This book began my love affair with Miyares' illustrations. Told only in illustrations of grey, white and black (with a pop of yellow for the boy's raincoat), we follow the path of a paper boat as it floats down a river. Simple, but wonderful.

FLORA AND THE FLAMINGO by Molly Idle

If you like this title, there are several more in the series featuring a penguin, peacock and ostrich! A small child mimics the movements of a flamingo in a kind of ballet. Idle's soft, curved illustrations perfectly emulate the movement of the characters. These books are lovely.

HOME IN A LUNCHBOX by Cherry Mo

A new immigrant to the United States starts school knowing only a few words of English and feels alone. But at lunchtime, when she opens her lunchbox, she finds the foods of home

I WALK WITH VANESSA: A STORY ABOUT A SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS by Kerascoët

When one girl witnesses the bullying of the new girl, she decides to side with kindness. This is a quiet story that has a big impact. Read it with your preschooler or early elementary child and talk about what they might do in the same situation. How could they be a friend to Vanessa?

JOURNEY by Aaron Becker

A girl draws a magic door on to her bedroom wall and escapes into a world of adventure! All of Aaron Becker's books are visual feasts and perfect for storytelling. If you and your child like to spend time with detailed illustrations, these are the books for you!

THE LAST ZOOKEEPER by Aaron Becker

Another of Becker's masterpieces. In a future where earth has flooded, NOA, a robot zookeeper, builds an arc as in order to take the animals he cares for to find a new home.

LION AND THE MOUSE by Jerry Pinkney

This book has no words, but is overflowing with gorgeous illustrations. Pinkney takes the traditional Aesop's fable about a lion who spares a mouse and later receives help from that same mouse and sets it in the Serengeti. There's a reason this one the Caldecott medal - it really is that special.

LITTLE RED AND THE CAT WHO LOVED CAKE by Barbara Lehman

Little Red has baked a cake with her father and is on her way to Grandma's house with it. But a little cat who loves cake is closely following behind! See how many references to fairy tales and nursery rhymes you can spot in this variation on Little Red Riding Hood.

ONE GIANT LEAP by Thao Lam

A child's snowy walk becomes a space adventure. Look for clues in the illustrations to figure out what's really going on!

SO MUCH SNOW by Hyunmin Park

Two people emerge from a snow-bound house and dig their way out. Talk about what you think is happening on each page - the end of the story will surprise you!

TUESDAY by David Weisner

Another Caldecott winner! On this fantastical Tuesday, Frogs go sailing past someone's window on lily pads. They float through the sky until, ultimately, something causes them to fall from the sky. There's so much to talk about here! What's making the frogs fly? What do you think the people who see them are thinking?

WALKIES: A DOG'S TALE by Estrela Lourenço

On a cold, rainy day, a boy's arrival home can mean only one thing: WALKIES! But the boy just wants to stay home and play video games. Reluctantly, he takes dog on a walk and they end up having a great time - in large part due to the dog's excitement and exuberance.

WHERE'S WALRUS? by Stephen Savage

This book and its sequel WHERE'S WALRUS AND PENGUIN, is great for toddlers with its sharp images. Can you find the escaped Walrus on each page?