“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein-
And, a picture really is worth a thousand words~that light the fire of imagination. What if there were books that could do just that? Books with pictures only, deeply rooted in vivid imagination, and in the form of a story?
Yes, there are such books. David Wiesner has mastered the art of wordless storytelling. Think they’re for children? Think again!
The David Wiesner exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum
Years ago I discovered the book, Flotsam. A boy is at the beach, an old underwater camera washes up on the shore- with a roll of film inside. He develops the film only to discover…
A picture of a picture, of a picture, and so on. This leads to what is perhaps really beneath the ocean, and a sequential history of sorts. The art is incredible. Not surprising, as it is the story itself. Images of what if abound to plant the seeds of imagination.
History goes back to the turn of the century. I love history as much as imagination. The discussion and conversations about the children in the book, pictured back to the turn of the century, emulates just what reading aloud does, adding vocabulary and opening new doors of discovery. Talking and thinking. Brain building. Soul building. The illustrations stand on their own as a gateway to…wherever the mind can go.
On my way home, after seeing so many incredible fish, this is what I saw. A fish in the sky!
Wordless books are sometimes my uphill battle with adults. Many parents are so locked into the words telling you the story, that they can’t see the forest for the trees, or the immense opportunities to unlock their child’s brain and stimulate vocabulary. Hey, the reader and listener have to talk, really talk.
All I can say is, “You have to read the book!”
Another remarkable David Wiesner book is Tuesday. On a Tuesday, something happens to frogs. The illustrations are a slow growth into an adventure that any and every child (and adult) delights in and understands. Marvelous in imagination! The ending has a terrific twist.
The day after I saw the exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum, Ryan happened to bring his frog to Summer Camp, a perfect replica of David Wiesner’s frogs. I said, “Ryan, there is a book about your frog!” I grabbed his hand and we went to the library at school. Well, we actually ran. I found Tuesday, and we dove into the book together. Oh, how we read, talked…you get the picture. Ryan said, “This is the best book I have ever read.” He meant it. He ‘got it’.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
With imagination, words aren’t always necessary, especially when the books are as beautifully illustrated as the ones you showed.
There’s an old feature cartoon titled The Snowman that uses no words. I’ve included a link if you care to give it a look. https://youtu.be/AMT51KZgZYI
You are so right! I have The Snowman. Great book. Have you read Journey by Aaron Becker?
No, I haven’t. I’ll give it a look-see.
Agreed, it’s good to not always have a story written out for us. Better yet, use our own imagination.
Absolutely! Thank you.
I have the Tuesday book too! Wordless books are brilliant!
Yes, they are, Ritu! Do you know Journey by Aaron Becker? Brilliant!!
I haven’t seen that one!
It’s a must, Ritu! He has written two. I might have to do a blog post on them. Check them out at the library.
I shall have to look !
Great! Please let me know what you think.
Will do!
Both those books look wonderful, Jennie. As you say, they are not just for children, but magical for adults too!
Best wishes, Pete.
I just bought a used copy of ‘Tuesday’ from Amazon for £3. It will be great for our grandson. 🙂
It will, Pete. While you’re at it, I highly recommend Journey by Aaron Becker. Another wordless treasure. Best to you!
Thanks for that, Jennie. I will investigate! x
Added to my Amazon wish list.
Good!
Indeed they are, Pete. Best to you.
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Jennie Fitzkee introduces to the art of storytelling without words.. #recommended #David Weisner
Thank you, Sally!
Oh, what a very lovely post, Jennie! And how wonderful that Ryan was instantly hooked! I didn´t know of David Wiesner´s books before but you can bet that I´m going to get my hand on some copies now! The illustrations look fabulous! Thank you for he tip! xxx
My pleasure, Sarah. Glad you enjoyed it. 😀
Oh Sally, this might be the perfect thing that I read this brilliant post as I believe it’s a phenomenal way for me to help a friend handle an issue with a verbal and nonverbal child to bridge the gap and explain how we are all different in magnificent ways when one tween is not able to communicate through spoken words but communicates via other means! Oh Sally a HUGE thank you!!!
You are welcome.
Oh jeez I am an idiot – thank YOU Jennie too 😂
No problem. I’m glad the post and ideas are helpful.
Extremely!
Wonderful Jennie.. Wordless books are great.. And takes me back to my comic book days while there were only a few balloon comments, I would devour the picture story telling 🙂
Enjoy your day xx
Thanks, Sue. Best to you!
❤ 🙂
A fascinating post, Jennie! I’m not familiar with these books – thanks for the introduction!
You re welcome, John!
The illustrations look magical, Jennie. Thanks so much for the Wiesner recommendation. We have lots of Peter Spier picture books and I love the way the imagination takes over when there are no words. Lovely post, my friend.
Exactly! So glad you enjoyed this, Diana. Peter Spier is a favorite. Rain and Circus– the best! Many thanks.
I just love Rain because we live in a rain forest and have to get outside anyway. 🙂
😀
These look like some great books. Oh to be able to illustrate like that! What a talent that would be! And the quote by Albert Einstein is one of my favorites. I think I quote that one more than any others. 😉
Thanks, Michelle! Glad you enjoyed it. I love Einstein quotes, too!
Thank you for this marvellous post, Jennie. Your wonderful enthusiasm for teaching makes me so happy.
That’s so nice, Robbie. Thank you!
For children especially, pictures are worth a 1000 words. Well stated.,
Thank you, Micki. 🙂
Thank you for this wonderful post!
You are welcome, Charles. I’m glad you liked it!
How special Jennie. I haven’t actually come across many wordless books but after reading your post, I can fully see their merit.
Your conclusion was lovely…
Thank you 🙋🏻💐
Thank you, Di! 😀
This is great, Jennie. Wordless picture books provide wonderful opportunities for parents (or teachers) and children to play with imagination and language together, creating their own stories for the pictures to tell.
Exactly! There are many excellent wordless books that do just that. Thanks, Norah!
A boy’s gotta have a good buddy in his frog…Ryan and his frog…from book to head to heart!
Yes, I think you’re right, Laura. And now all the kids at camp like that frog… and the book. 🙂
Great to meet you Jennie. Just read you guest post.
I totally agree with your post here. Pictures can indeed tell a 1000 words.
Brian Selznick’s books Wonderstruck and The invention of Hugo Cabret and beautifuly illustrated and also told with words. Very special reads. Lorelle. 😊
Thank you, Lorelle! I love Brian Selznick’s books. They are special reads. Do you know the Aaron Becker and Peter Spier books? Best to you!
No Jennie. I will look into those. Thank you for your suggestions. 😉
You are welcome, Lorelle. 🙂
What a beautifully written article. And I love the addition of the fish in the sky. I believe fostering the imagination is so important especially when kids hit school age and their creativity has to be kept in check in order to conform in a classroom setting. Love this.
Thank you! I couldn’t believe I caught a photo of the fish in the sky! Imagination is where it all begins, for sure. As they hit school age and have to conform, they can still get lost in a book and keep the fire of imagination going. That’s why reading aloud at a young age is so important. So glad you enjoyed the blog post!
David’s illustrations are amazing. So many great illustrators are doing picture books today. The exhibit must have been wonderful. And then to see that giant fish in the sky–wow!
It was wonderful, Marcia. Thank you. Yes, that fish in the sky! The museum picked up the post and put it on their FB page, then they emailed me to say that NEMA- New England Museum Association (new to me)- picked it up for their page. So glad that David Wiesner’s art is getting exposure! Yes, he is amazing.
HI Jennie, i hopped over from Sue’s blog and found this amazingly inspiring post. Love your reflections about wordless books and agree absolutely. 🙂
Thank you so much!! 😊
Reblogged this on The Toyshop Dance and other Songs and Dances for young children and commented:
I love this post by Jennie. It is beautifully written and opens up a new line of communication. There is nothing like unlocking the depths of a child’s imagination. Let children be children!
Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this. I had no awareness of Weisner’s work, and it’s just marvelous.:)
Thank you, Cathleen. So glad you liked it.
Once again you did it to me….you made me once again want to not only travel to that awesome Museum you keep talking about, but to meet you face to face and for now read both of those books and experience them. Books like the ones you described here are experienced, not just simply read. I’m going to share this on TotallyInspiredMind.com. if you want to email me some of the images I’ll make the story come to life on my end, giving you photo credits of course.
You have an incredible way of putting difficult concepts into easy to understand terms.
Paulette Le Pore Motzko
That is so nice, Paulette! Thank you!!! I will,email you the photos I took.
Thanks Jennie. I will be checking for them.
Thanks Paulette. I emailed them to you yesterday. Let me know if you didn’t get them.
They are up on the website. I added them to the link that leads to your story yesterday.
Glad you got them. Thanks!
🙂
The pictures are adorable and the post is wonderful, so uplifting when we really need uplifting! Thank you Jennie! Karen 🙂
Aww… that is so nice. Yes, we all need uplifting!
I’m also in the field of education and really appreciate your post, highlighting literature with amazing illustrations!
Thank you, JoDee. I love teaching and especially like writing about all the moments in teaching. So glad you enjoyed the post!
I have enjoyed it. You’ve given a nice information and useful for me. Looking forward to next.
Thank you!