Wordless Picture Books: More Than Just Stories Without Words

Often, our first experiences of artwork are the drawings and paintings in children’s storybooks. Babies and toddlers listen to stories being read aloud while gazing at the pictures. Gradually the images start to make sense, and children connect visuals with words and reality.

But here’s the question: do we always need words to tell a story?

Every Picture Tells a Story

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know what babies and toddlers are thinking as you watch them “read” picture books for themselves? Even before they can use words, they study illustrations carefully, making sense of colours, shapes, and expressions.

As children grow, we help them connect the “squiggles on the page” (text) to the spoken words. Their vocabulary and life experiences expand, and the pictures take on richer meaning.

Why Wordless Stories Matter in a Visual World

We live in a highly visual world where we are bombarded with images, often on screens. Learning to interpret not only the obvious meaning but also the hidden or implied meaning is a vital skill.

Wordless picture books encourage children (and adults!) to:

• Slow down and observe details

• Make predictions and inferences

• Create their own narrative

• Explore multiple interpretations based on their experiences

This is more than just reading — it’s practicing critical thinking, creativity, and imagination.

Observational Skills in Action

In children’s picture books, details often enhance the story beyond the written words. In wordless books, those details are the story.

Do we pause long enough to notice them? The colour of leaves, markings on a dirt path, or the expressions on a character’s face all invite us to reflect, analyse, and build meaning.

How Experiences Shape Interpretation

Our ability to interpret images changes as we grow. Wordless books can be:

• Simple and playful for younger readers

• Complex and layered for older children and adults

Just like chapter books vary in difficulty, picture books can range from whimsical to deeply sophisticated.

Older children may enjoy comic-strip styles with action building frame by frame, or multi-threaded storylines with rich plots — all without a single word.

Recommended Wordless Picture Books

Here are a few excellent examples to explore with your children or students:

• The Chicken Thief by Beatrice Rodriguez

• Amanda’s Butterfly by Nick Butterworth

• Journey by Aaron Becker

• Flotsam by David Wiesner

• The Hero of Little Street by Gregory Rogers

• Mirror by Jeannie Baker

• Whatley’s Quest by Bruce Whatley

👉 Want more art-inspired storytelling? Sign up for Artventure  and try free lessons today.

Children’s Reflections

When shared with children, wordless stories come alive in surprising ways.

• Imogen (6) loved Amanda’s Butterfly, especially the backyard and nature settings. She laughed at The Chicken Thief when the bear became a “boat.”

• Molly (6) reassured, “It’s OK. It’s got a good ending” — noticing expressions and action poses that told the story.

• Oscar (8) preferred The Hero of Little Street and Flotsam, enjoying their comic-strip action and fantasy elements.

Their responses highlight how personal experiences shape interpretation — nature lovers see humour in animals, while older children enjoy complex or fantastical plots.

What Artists Can Learn from Wordless Books

For illustrators, wordless storytelling is a masterclass in visual communication. To tell a story without text, consider:

• Facial expressions to show emotions

• Action poses to convey movement

• Backgrounds that set the scene

• Colours, textures, and contrasts to build mood

• Imaginative twists that surprise or amuse

• Playful extras for humour

• Exaggerated features for caricature

• A balanced composition for visual appeal

👉 Ask yourself: What stories might be hidden in the artworks you’ve created in Artventure? Combine skills from different lessons to create your own wordless story.

Final Thoughts

Wordless picture books are far from “just for little kids.” They build observational skills, ignite imagination, and encourage readers of all ages to create meaning.

So next time you open a picture book — with or without words — slow down, observe, and let the story unfold through your eyes.

About the Author
Erica, Teacher and Artventure Blogger

Click HERE to sign up for lessons or try ARTVENTURE for FREE.