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Wordless books require that children interpret the story from the illustrations. The reader and listener must follow the pictures in sequence for the story to make sense. Pictures help children focus on details as they will eventually focus on the differences between pit, pat, and pot. Choose a variety of styles from muted to brilliant colors to black and white.

A Boy, a Dog, A Frog, and a Friend, written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young
Readers, 2003), 32p, Ages 2-6.
Written in 1971, the tale continues of a small boy, his dog, and pet frog who have difficulty getting rid of a pesky turtle.

Flotsam, written/illus. by David Wiesner, (Clarion Books, 2006), 40p, Ages 5-8.
A unique and fascinating wordless picture book that tells the story of a young boy, who finds an old barnacle-crusted "Melville Underwater Camera" on the beach. Little does he realize what marvelous wonders it contains, until the developed pictures reveal portraits of its previous owners down through the years with astonishing sea creatures (mechanical wind-up fish, gigantic walking starfish with islands on their backs, a hot-air balloon puffer fish, etc.) This is a visual delight for all the members of the family.

Fly, Little Bird, written/illus. by Tina Burke, (Kane/Miller Books, 2006), 32p, Ages 4-7.
In an almost wordless story, a little girl and her dog discover a baby bird that has fallen from its nest. They take him home, feed him, read to him, and make him one of the family. One morning they discover that their little bird has flown through an open window and joined a beautiful flock of parrots. A charming, almost wordless book from Australia on caring for others.

Frog Goes to Dinner, written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2003),
32p, Ages 2-6.
In this reissue of his 1974 wordless picture book, Frog hides in his young master's pocket and causes havoc at a fancy restaurant where his family is dining.

Frog on His Own, written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2003),
32p, Ages 2-6.
In another of Mayer's wordless picture books, Frog decides to experience life on his own. Nevertheless, his adventures turn to misadventures before his friends can rescue him.

Frog, Where are You?, written & illus. by Mercer Mayer, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 2003,), 32p., Ages 2-6.
This classic wordless tale continues the story began in A Boy, a Dog, and a Frog. Tired of living in a jar, Frog decides to return to the woods, and his friends decide to bring him back.

Hogwash, written/illus. by Arthur Geisert, (Houghton Mifflin Co., 2008), 32p, Ages 4-8.
In another captivating and enormously fun wordless picture book, piggies (nearly a hundred) have a great time rolling in huge mud baths and wallowing in giant paint vats before their moms march them to a gigantic machine that lathers, scrubs, rinses, and dries the piglets clean. Who knew that in a village of pigs such complicated contraptions could be designed for the sole purpose of cleaning pig children? A swishing wooden bathing vat cleans the piggies; a bowl-type sieve acts as a shower for rinsing off; and a drying apparatus, similar to a clothesline, completes the process. The elaborate drawings will have children pouring over every detail for a long time.

Lights Out, written/illus. by Arthur Geisert, (Houghton Mifflin, 2005), 32p, Ages 4-8.
In an almost wordless picture book, little piglet devises a way to prolong turning his light out at eight o'clock. Piglet invents a series of contraptions that run up to the roof, down the walls, through the yard, and into the basement, eventually turning his light off in the bedroom. Children as well as adults will love the detailed etchings of household items that are rigged to trigger reactions with other items before the room goes dark.

The Lion & the Mouse, illus. by Jerry Pinkney, (Little Brown & Co., 2009), 40p, Ages 3-6.
In a nearly wordless interpretation of the popular Aesop's fable, Jerry Pinkney's marvelous rendition takes place in Africa. An adventurous mouse escapes the claws of a hungry owl, only to accidentally disturb a sleeping lion. Trapped in his paws, mouse is graciously freed to live another day. When she later comes upon the lion, caught in a hunter's trap, she remembers the lion's kindness and nibbles through his ropes. The little mouse returns home with a piece of rope for her babies to chew. Endpapers show the mouse and her babies resting on the lion's back for a family outing. Artist's Note explains his concern and reverence for animal life. "It seemed fitting, then, to stage this fable in the African Serengeti of Tanzania and Kenya, with its wide horizon and abundant wildlife so awesome yet fragile-not unlike the two sides of each of the heroes starring in this great tale for all times." As always, Jerry Pinkney's illustrations are delightful.

One Frog Too Many, written by Mercer Mayer, illus. by Marianna Mayer, (Dial Books for
Young Readers, 2003), 32p, Ages 2-6.
In a reissue of Mayer's 1975 wordless book, the story continues of a young boy, his dog, turtle, and frog. On one of their adventures, they meet a baby frog resulting in a bit of jealousy. How the problem is resolved proves why this lovely story remains a classic.

South, written/illus. by Patrick McDonnell, (Little, Brown and Co., 2008), 48p, Ages 3-6.
As a yellow flock of birds takes flight from a tree, a lone leaf flitters down and wakes a sleeping bird on the ground. Realizing that his flock has flown south for the winter, he begins to cry. Mooch happens along and takes compassion on him. Together, paw and wing, they begin a journey down streets, through crowded cities, across fields, and past forests, until they hear twittering from a utility wire. With a thank you and hug, the little lost bird joins his flock. This wordless story of compassion and friendship will tug at hearts for sure.

The Surprise, written/illus. by Sylvia van Ommen, (Front Street/Lemniscaat Books, 2007), 32p, Age 4+.
In this fine addition to wordless children's books, a sheep prepares a special gift for her friend, giraffe. The story opens with Sheep weighing and measuring her wool. In humorous sequences, Sheep rides her cherry red motor scooter into town, purchases red dye, colors her wool, shaves it off, and returns to town with the wool and gives it to a pink poodle that spins her wool into yarn. With determination, Sheep knits her special gift, wraps it, and returns to town to present a beautiful red sweater to Giraffe. Sometimes gifts are extra special because of the love and care put into them.

The Yellow Balloon, written & illus. by Charlotte Dematons, (Front Street Books, 2004),
32p, Ages 4-8.
Originally published in the Netherlands, each page in this oversized wordless book shows a yellow balloon sailing in the world somewhere, followed by a small blue car. There is no story but the discovery of new and reappearing images from different time periods on each page is very appealing to children.

You Can't Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum, written by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman, illus. by Robin Preiss Glasser, (Dial Books for Young Readers, 1998),
32p, Ages 4-8.
A young girl and her grandmother visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, but the rules state that her balloon must stay outside. When a bird flies away with the balloon, a consciencous guard takes off on a wild chase through many famous sites in New York. The balloon creates havoc to skaters, dog walkers, and a wedding. Meanwhile, the child and grandmother are looking at museum pieces that echo the chaos outside.