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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Gold
Alexander, Jed
Paper Book
This wordless picture book plays with our assumptions about family. What do we think we see as we turn the pages and how is the ending not at all what we expected? This fractured retelling of the Goldilocks fairy tale provides a perfect format for thinking about story-telling and how...
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.

Little fox in the forest
Graegin, Stephanie
Paper Book
Fans of Aaron Becker's Caldecott Honor winner Journey will love this utterly enchanting wordless picture book in which two friends follow a young fox deep into the woods and discover a wondrous and magical world.   When a young girl brings her beloved stuffed...
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.

Hello
Ikegami, Aiko
Paper Book
Some stories don't need words to make their meaning clear--and some friendships can transcend barriers. A wordless picture book shows that the power of friendship and communicating can span across the galaxies.
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...
Draw the line
Otoshi, Kathryn
Paper Book
Draw the Line is a powerful picture book about forgiveness from Kathryn Otoshi, author of the bestselling book One. When two boys draw their own lines and realize they can connect them together--magic happens! But a misstep causes their lines...
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.
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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