Front cover of wordless book, Wave, by Suzy Lee
I have to admit that I kind of steered away from wordless books when my own children were younger. I couldn't really say why. Now that I see through the eyes of a parent and a teacher, I see a special kind of magic in them that I wasn't able to see before.
I said in a recent post that sometimes, if children have difficulty with writing, it's easier for them if they do some drawing first. It helps children to visualize what they're trying to say, and they'll be able to put their thoughts and feelings into words more easily. That's why you often will find children (between the ages of 5 and 7) coming home with a half lined sheet of paper with a drawing at the top and a few sentences at the bottom.
Whether your child likes to draw or not, though, she or he may also discover all kinds of creative inspiration through wordless books. I've said many times before that photographs and art of all kinds can be used to promote critical thinking. Think about how many questions and answers could be brainstormed just by looking at an image from different points of view!
Writing and critical analysis are not the only skills that can be greatly enhanced through wordless books, however. Making up a story that goes along with a sequence of illustrations will enhance your child's imagination and speaking skills as well.
I will be sharing many great wordless books over the next week or two, which will inspire creative writing, storytelling, critical thinking, and speaking skills for all ages of children. Since summer is now less than a month away, today I'd like to share two wonderful wordless books which both explore the wonder of the ocean.
The first one, Wave (by Suzy Lee), has a beautiful simplicity to it (see the cover at the top of this post), and will be extremely appealing to toddlers and preschoolers. Charcoal sketches of a little girl, a shoreline, and seagulls are vibrantly complemented by magical waves, the sky, and seashells of a brilliant blue. To me, the charcoal sketches symbolize a sometimes gray reality which comes alive when you have a colorful imagination!
I love that the little girl's dress transforms from gray to blue (see if your child notices that)! After looking at this picture book, I can't wait to head down to the ocean. The seashells in the book look a lot more appealing than the ones from the beach where I live:
This particular photo was taken in the winter and there weren't many unbroken shells to be found. Oh, how I love the mystery of the ocean.
A more complex and intricate take on the mystery of the ocean can be found in David Wiesner's Flotsam. There's so much going on in this colorful wordless book that it can be used to prompt writing for all ages of children, even if they are in middle school. You really have to see this book for yourself to appreciate it. This one will really get people of all ages thinking!
I have been fortunate enough to spend many unforgettable summer days at the beach. Books like these make me think about all of those great times. Any piece of literature that helps people to make personal and real world connections is a winner in my book!
So, whether you've ever had the privilege of spending a day on the beach or not, these wordless books will definitely make you want to make the trip as soon as possible. Whether you enjoy floating on your back or jumping over the waves, I hope you enjoy many wonderful days at the beach this summer. And don't forget to bring a great book, plenty of sunscreen, and an umbrella!
You be be interested in some other related posts:
A Wave of Wordless Books, Part 2
The Mystery of Creative Writing
