Wordless Books

Wordless Books are a great way to capture a story in a unique way! Check out this list generated by our Youth Services Librarians for the Scotch Plains Public Library's annual summer reading challenge.

Updated April 17, 2023
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The carpenter
Barros, Bruna
Paper Book
A book to read with your eyes and your heart . . . "A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild, inThe Carpenter, a wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and...
The tree and the river
Becker, Aaron
Paper Book
A spectacular time-lapse portrait of humankind--and our impact on the natural world--from a Caldecott Honor-winning master of the wordless form In an alternate past--or possible future--a mighty tree stands on the banks of a winding river, bearing silent witness to the flow of...

Like this book? Check out Becker's other wordless titles: Journey, Quest, and Return.

Spot, the cat
Cole, Henry
Paper Book
Simple and stunning images tell the story of a cat named Spot as he weaves his way in and out of a city in this wordless picture book from award-winning author-illustrator Henry Cole. Through this gorgeous visual narrative, Henry Cole shows us a day in the life of a cat named...

Follow Spot in Spot & Dot.

Imagine!
Colo n, Rau l
Paper Book
An ALA Notable Book A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids A Bookpage Best Book "This fine book provides not only exposure to art...but also an example of a boy--a boy of color, a boy in America--with a passion for fine art." --The New York...

Check out Draw!, another wordless book by Raul Colon.

Field trip to the ocean deep
Hare, John, (Children's book illustrator)
Paper Book
Come join the fun as students take a submarine bus on a field trip to explore the ocean deep, in this wordless picture book from the creator of Field Trip to the Moon! Students dressed in deep sea helmets travel to the ocean deep in a yellow school-bus submarine. When they...

Enjoy this trip? Follow along in Field Trip to the Moon and Field Trip to Volcano Island.

A day for sandcastles
Lawson, JonArno
Paper Book
A dazzling wordless picture book celebrates creative problem-solving, teamwork, and the sun-splashed wonder of a day at the beach. The creators of the acclaimed Over the Shop evoke a perfect summer beach day--and themes of creativity, cooperation, flexibility, and...
The lion & the mouse
Pinkney, Jerry.
Paper Book
Winner of the Caldecott Medal This New York Times bestselling and award-winning fable of compassion and kindness, as reimagined by legendary artist Jerry Pinkney, is an essential addition to any bookshelf of children's classics.
Another
Robinson, Christian
Paper Book
An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2019 An NYPL Best Book of 2019 A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Picture Book of 2019 A BookPage...
Dandelion's dream
Tanaka, Yoko, (Artist)
Paper Book
What if a dandelion became a real lion? With enchanting, ethereal art, this wordless story shares a world where reality can be transfigured by imagination. In a meadow filled with dandelion buds just about to flower, one dandelion blooms into a real lion. Roots and...
I got it!
Wiesner, David
Paper Book
Three-time Caldecott winner and bestseller David Wiesner works his visual magic in this near-wordless account of the most suspenseful, nerve-wracking few seconds in a baseball game. David Wiesner brings his trademark artistry and rich imagination to the iconic American...

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