February is all about the love. And, of course, I love books. But I REALLY love wordless books. Before I got my master's degree in library & information, I earned a bachelor's degree in speech-language pathology. That's when I discovered exactly why wordless books are so amazing!
Wordless books develop comprehension skills.
Wordless picture books are great for encouraging a child’s ability to infer what is happening in the story. With no words for guidance, they have to figure this out using only the illustrations and their imagination. This not only develops comprehension but an overall understanding of story structure and plot. Sharing a wordless book with children lets you model storytelling techniques: making connections, predicting, and questioning. Children can practice retelling the story in interesting and exciting ways.
Wordless books build confidence and independence.
It is important for children to have positive reading experiences. Wordless picture books give children a break from decoding and the opportunity to focus on the story itself. For those children who struggle with reading, they can enjoy a wordless book independently. A child feels confidence and pride in reading a book by themselves.
Wordless books build verbal skills.
Wordless picture books invite children to become an active participant in the story. Following up on a child’s questions helps make connections and increases understanding. Model how to describe the plot, setting and characters. You can discuss cause and effect, conflict resolution, add dialogue and elaborate on what is happening. Encourage imagination by thinking of new ways to retell the story on each new reading.
So why not give a wordless picture book a try? You can find tips for sharing these books on the Reading Rockets website. And here are some of the newest amazing titles available at Hoover Public Library! You can also ask a librarian for additional recommendations.
Bye, Penguin! by Seou Lee
Dandelion’s Dream by Yoko Tanaka
The Farmer and the Monkey by Marla Frazee
Field Trip to the Ocean Deep by John Hare
Hike by Pete Oswald
One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey by Henry Cole
The Paper Boat by Thao Lam
What a Masterpiece! by Riccardo Guasco
Window by Marion Arbona
