40 Brilliant Wordless Picture Books for Kids and Adults

Do you like picture books without words? I remember being so taken aback the first time I came across one. like how can i read this? Surprisingly, some of the best wordless picture books are the most moving, I don’t know how they do it! The books on this list highlight the power of images and categorically confirm that a picture is worth a thousand words.

Wordless Picture Books Worth "Reading"

Excellent Wordless Picture Books for Kids

These are some of the best wordless picture books for kids:

You are reading: Books without words for adults

walk with vanessa

Published: April 24, 2018

Inspired by true events, I Walk With Vanessa explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that come from seeing a classmate treated poorly, and shows how a single act of kindness can bring an entire community together to help. By choosing only images to tell their story, the creators underscore the idea that someone can be an ally without having to say a word. With themes of acceptance, kindness, and strength in numbers, this timeless and profound feel-good story will resonate with readers young and old.

a little bag: an incredible journey

Published: April 7, 2020

From a tall tree growing in the forest to the cash register at the supermarket, a small bag lands in the hands of a child on the eve of his first day of school.

And so begins an incredible journey of a bag that is used, reused, and reused.

In a family of three generations, the bag is a carrier of objects and a keeper of memories. And when Grandpa reaches the end of his life, the family finds a new and meaningful way for the battered but much-loved little bag to continue his journey in the circle of life.

wolf in the snow

Published: January 3, 2017

A girl gets lost in a snow storm. a wolf cub is also lost. how will they find their way home? soulful paintings tell this satisfying story of friendship and trust. Here’s a book set on a wintry night that will spark warm hearts and imaginations, by Matthew Cordell, author of Problem Gum and another brother.

the tramp

Published: October 6, 2020

Without a word, Voyager features a small paper boat’s journey across the ocean, past reefs and between icebergs, through schools of fish, swaying aquatic plants and terrifying sea monsters. The little boat is all alone, and while his loneliness gives him the opportunity to marvel at the fairytale world above and below the waves, it also means he must save himself when a storm rolls in. and so it is.

Readers young and old will find strength and inspiration in this powerful story about growing up, learning and life’s ups and downs.

small in the city

Published: September 5, 2019

I know what it’s like to be small in the city…

being small can be overwhelming in a city. people don’t see you the loud sounds of sirens and cyclists can be scary. and the streets are so busy that it can make your brain feel like there’s too much on it. But if you know where to find good hiding places, hot dryer vents that expel hot steam that smells like summer, music to listen to, or friends to say hello to, there can be comfort in the city, too.

We follow our little protagonist, who knows all about what it’s like to be little in the city, as he gives his best tips for surviving there. As we turn the pages, Sydney Smith’s masterful narration gives us a glimpse of exactly who this advice is for, leading to a powerful and harrowing understanding…

school trip to the moon

Published: May 14, 2019

Climb aboard the spaceship bus for a fantastic field trip adventure to the moon!

Once their bright yellow ship lands, the students disembark and set off with their teacher to explore. they jump over trenches and see craters and mountains on the surface of the moon and even the land in the distance.

but when a student takes a break to do some drawing and falls asleep, he wakes up to find the rest of the class and the spaceship gone. how the student spends his time waiting to be rescued makes for a fun and unexpected adventure that kids across the galaxy will love.

With rich atmospheric art, John Hare’s wordless picture book invites children to imagine themselves in the story, a story full of surprises that includes some friendly space creatures. a perfect addition to discussions and lessons about the moon landing.

fly!

Published: September 17, 2019

It’s a great day in the tree that mama bird shares with her baby. Mama bird thinks the baby bird is finally ready to leave the nest and learn to fly so she can migrate south with the rest of her flock. but the little bird is not so sure. Her mother can’t keep bringing her worms in her nest? Can’t she migrate her in a hot air balloon instead? or maybe a car?

This silly wordless picture book will keep young readers giggling as the little birdie realizes he must flap his wings and learn to fly, whether he likes it or not!

professional crocodile

Published: August 1, 2017

mr. crocodile loves his job. every morning he wakes up with an alarm clock. he brushes his teeth. he chooses the right tie to match his outfit, grabs a quick piece of toast, and heads to work on a crowded train. but what exactly is his job? The answer may surprise you! Readers will want to pore over this witty, wordless book over and over again, finding new details and fresh stories with each read.

spencer’s new pet

Published: August 27, 2019

When Spencer gets a new pet, he’s excited to do all the things pets do: take walks in the park, go to the vet, and attend parties together. There’s only one problem: Spencer’s new pet is a balloon. .and that means no. sharp. objects.no drooling dogs in the park. no spiny porcupines at the vet. And absolutely no pinning the tail on any donkeys!

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little things

Published: April 6, 2017

In this short, wordless, graphic picture book, a young boy is left alone with his anxiety. he is not fitting in well at school. his grades are dropping. he even he is lashing out at those who love him.

sidewalk flowers

Published: March 27, 2015

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In this wordless picture book, a little girl picks wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and receiver are transformed by the encounter of it.

“Written” by award-winning poet Jonarno Lawson and created by illustrator Sydney Smith, Sidewalk Flowers is an ode to the importance of little things, little people, and small gestures.

little fox in the forest

Published: February 28, 2017

When a girl brings her beloved stuffed fox to the playground, to her surprise, a real fox goes with it! The girl chases the fox through the woods with her friend, the boy, following close behind, but soon the two boys lose track of the fox. Going deeper and deeper into the forest, they come across a tall hedge with an arch. what do they find on the other side? a wonderful village of miniature stone cabins, tiny tree houses and, most extraordinary of all, woodland creatures of all shapes and sizes. but where is the little fox? and how will they find it?

wallpaper

Published: April 15, 2018

New from the creator of skunk on a string is the wallpaper, a wordless picture book in thao lam’s signature paper collage style. tells the story of a girl whose family moves to a new house. outside, she can hear other children playing, but she is too shy to say hello. she so she takes the old wallpaper from her room, revealing an entrance to a fantastic imaginary world of adventure behind the walls. there, she runs among the vibrant and varied environments, surrounded by birds, swimming in a frog pond, in a herd of art. -deco sheep- while she is chased by a monster. She is scary at first, until it becomes clear that she just wants to be friends with her. when it’s time to come back to reality, the girl is inspired with the courage to go up to the other kids and say hello.

other

Published: March 5, 2019

what if… you met another perspective? will you discover another world? Will you meet another you? what could you do?

rosie’s glasses

Published: September 4, 2018

In this wordless picture book, Rosie wakes up in a monochrome world, with a dark cloud hanging over her head. as she trudges through her sad gray day, the cloud follows her. mishaps and chaos thwart her every move, irritating noises assail her, and pouring rain makes everything worse. But then, on her way home from school, Rosie finds a strange pair of glasses. when she puts them on, her world is transformed into bright and cheerful colors. Suddenly she can see the beauty and fun in everything around her, and the dark cloud of her has disappeared. Are the glasses magical? Or could it be that changing the way we see the world can change the way we experience it?

found

Published: November 20, 2018

jenn’s beloved dog went missing some time ago. long enough for her to have given up the search. but she still misses her friend. she one day she finds a lost dog. she takes him in, and despite a rocky start, she grows to love him. until she sees his photo on a lost billboard. his name is roscoe, and he is someone else’s best friend. Jenn knows that she should return Roscoe, but she really doesn’t want to. will jenn do the right thing? Or will she stay with this new dog that she has come to love so much?

flora and the flamingo

published: flora and flamenco

In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her dashing Flemish friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends finally learn to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this impressive performance (and a striking ending!) will have readers clapping for more of this hilarious flamingo story.

mr. waffles!

Published: October 1, 2013

In a nearly wordless masterpiece that could only have been dreamed up by David Wiesner, a cat named Mr. wuffles doesn’t care about toy mice and toy goldfish. he’s much more interested in playing with a little spaceship full of real aliens, but the ship wasn’t designed for this kind of rough treatment. Between motion sickness and damaged equipment, the aliens are in deep trouble.

When space visitors dodge the cat and take cover behind the radiator to repair the damage, they make insect friends. the result? a humorous exploration of the cooperation between aliens and insects, and the universal nature of communication involving symbols, “cave” paintings, and gestures of friendship.

trip

Published: August 6, 2013

A lonely girl draws a magical door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure and danger abound. red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon and a flying carpet that take her on a spectacular journey to an uncertain destination. when she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can free her. Can she too take her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple lines, luminous colors, and agile flights of fancy, author and illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary boy on an extraordinary journey to his biggest and most exciting adventure of all.

the farmer and the clown

Published: September 23, 2014

A baby clown is separated from his family when he accidentally bounces off the circus train and lands in a lonely farmer’s vast, empty field. The farmer reluctantly rescues the little clown, and over the course of a day together, the two make some startling discoveries about themselves – and about life! sweet, funny, and touching, this wordless picture book from a master of form and the creator of the boss baby speaks volumes and will delight story lovers of all ages.

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a margarita ball

Published: May 10, 2011

this new york times bestseller and new york times best illustrated book tells a story of love and loss as only chris rashcka can tell it. Any child who has ever had a beloved toy broken will relate to Daisy’s heartbreak when his favorite ball is destroyed by a larger dog. in the tradition of his nearly wordless picture book yo! Yeah? Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka explores in images the joy and sadness that owning a special toy can bring. Raschka’s characteristic swirling, impressionistic illustrations and her affectionate story will especially appeal to young dog lovers and teachers and parents who have children dealing with the loss of something special.

wave

Published: April 16, 2008

In this evocative wordless book, internationally acclaimed artist Suzy Lee tells the story of a girl’s day at the beach. Impressive in their simplicity, Lee’s illustrations, in just two shades of watercolor, create a vibrant story full of joy and laughter.

lines

Published: September 5, 2017

starts with a line. Whether it’s done with the tip of a pencil or the blade of a skate, the magic starts there. And magic once again flows from the pencil and imagination of internationally renowned artist Suzy Lee. With the lightest of touches, this masterpiece blurs the lines between real and imaginary, reminding us why Lee’s books have been praised around the world, recognized on the New York Times best illustrated book lists, and nominated for the hans christian andersen award, the highest international honor. given to the creators of children’s books. This seemingly simple story about a young skater on a frozen pond will delight younger readers while also surprising book enthusiasts of any age.

snowman story

Published: November 18, 2014

One winter’s day, a hat falls on the head of a newly made snowman, bringing him to life. hidden inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. when the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit jumps with the book. but the snowman is not about to let the story of him, or the naughty rabbit, get away. the chase has begun!

mirror

Published: November 9, 2010

somewhere in sydney, australia, a boy and his family wake up, have breakfast and head out for a busy day of shopping. Meanwhile, in a small town in Morocco, a boy and his family follow their own morning routines and head to a bustling market. In this witty wordless picture book, readers are invited to compare, page by page, the activities and environment of children in two different cultures. their lives may seem quite different at first, but a closer look reveals that there are many things, some unexpected, that connect them as well. Designed to be read side by side, one from the left and one from the right, these intriguing stories are told in their entirety through richly detailed collage illustrations.

the red book

Published: September 27, 2004

a red book lies in the snow in the city. when you open it, you find a new kind of adventure. you will be carried across oceans and continents when you simply turn the page. but this book within a book has even more secrets to uncover.

lehman’s simple story and striking illustrations create an unexpectedly charming story about friendship, connection, and how stories can bring us together. . . and even take us inside its pages.

snowflake waltz

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Published: October 17, 2017

It’s a cold and rainy afternoon when Grandma gives her granddaughter something special: tickets to the ballet. her granddaughter is reluctant to go. the weather is terrible and they have to wear elegant and uncomfortable clothes. But when the curtains rise on the Nutcracker, the girl’s eyes light up as she is introduced to the magic of the theatre. Sparkling costumes, intricate dances, magical music and a new friend all combine to captivate the girl and bring color to an otherwise dull evening. Snowflake Waltz is Elly Mackay at her best, mixing her acclaimed paper-cut artwork. with vibrant colors in this whimsical, dreamlike, and inspiring wordless picture book. A must-have for any ballet and theater obsessed reader and the perfect gift to share during the holidays or any time of year when the outside world needs a little color and vibrancy.

float

Published: June 1, 2015

A boy takes a boat made of newspaper for an adventure on a rainy day. the boy and his boat dance in the downpour and play in the puddles, but when the boy floats his boat down a stream, he quickly gets away.

so of course the little boy goes on the hunt for his beloved boat, and when the rain stops, he finds himself on a new adventure.

This deceptively simple story by Daniel Miyares is enriched with incredible depth and texture beyond words.

ball

Published: April 2, 2013

A dog with a ball is one of the most relentlessly optimistic creatures on earth. After his best friend leaves for school, this dog approaches the yoga mom, the baby, and even the angry cat for a quick toss. unlucky. Forced to go alone, the dog begins a hilarious one-sided game of fetch to the wild ball-centric dream sequence of nap time. Pictures speak a thousand words in this comic book style ode to canine monomania. ball? ball.

swimming pool

Published: May 5, 2015

What happens when two shy kids meet in a crowded pool? dive in to find out! Deceptively simple, this masterful book tells a story of quiet moments and surprising encounters, reminding us that friendship and imagination have no limits.

chalk

Published: March 1, 2010

a rainy day. three children in a park a dinosaur spring rider. a bag of chalk the children begin to draw… and then… magic! children draw the sun, butterflies and a dinosaur that surprisingly comes to life. Kids will never feel the same about the playground after experiencing this amazing wordless picture book and the power of imagination. bill thomson adopted traditional painting techniques and meticulously painted each illustration by hand, using acrylic paint and colored pencils.

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the umbrella

Published: April 1, 2011

a puppy finds an umbrella in the garden on a windy day. the moment the dog grabs the umbrella, he catches the wind and pulls the dog into the sky. this is the beginning of a fantastic journey around the world. The wind carries the umbrella and the dog around the world, from the desert to the sea, from the jungle to the North Pole.

flashlight

Published: August 12, 2014

An Enchanting Story Told Through Images Only: Through carefully drawn illustrations and an understated yet dramatic color palette, artist lizi boyd offers an enchanting exploration of the night, nature and art with a flashlight. both lyrical and humorous, this visual poem, like the flashlight’s own beam, reveals that there is magic in the dark. we just have to look for it.• a wordless storybook with stunning images that aims to ease the fear of the dark and its accompanying noises• the book inspires imagination and creativity in young minds• lizi boyd is the author and illustrator of many children’s books, including inside outside and lantern, and also creates paper, ribbon, cards and other works of delight

the lion and the mouse

Published: September 1, 2009

In award-winning artist Jerry Pinkney’s wordless adaptation of one of Aesop’s most beloved fables, an unlikely couple learn that no act of kindness ever goes to waste. after a ferocious lion spares a cowed mouse that he had planned to eat, the mouse later comes to his rescue, freeing him from a poacher’s trap. With vivid depictions of the African Serengeti landscape and expressively drawn characters, Pinkney makes this a truly special retelling, and his stunning visuals speak volumes.

my rabbit friend

Published: May 1, 2002

the rabbit saves the day in the most ingenious way.

When the mouse lets his best friend, the rabbit, play with his new plane, trouble follows. From Caldecott Honor Award winner Eric Rohmann comes a new picture book about friends, toys, and trouble, illustrated in strong, expressive prints.

the girl and the bike

Published: April 29, 2014

A little girl sees a shiny new bike in the window. she hurries home to see if she has enough money in her piggy bank, but when she falls short, she knocks on her neighbors’ doors, hoping to do her yard work. everyone rejects her except a kind old lady. the woman and the girl work together through the seasons. they form a tender friendship. when the weather warms up, the girl finally has enough money for the bike. she runs back to the store, but the bike is gone! what happens next shows the rewards of hard work and the true meaning of generosity.

brave molly

Published: April 30, 2019

what do you do when no one can see your monsters except you? At first, Molly runs away from them. but she follows her down the sidewalk, getting in the way when she tries to make a new friend, unexpectedly appearing from the shadows and multiplying. Until finally… Molly faces her fears. Author and illustrator Brooke Boynton-Hughes delivers a modern classic in this heartwarming adventure that honors everyday acts of bravery and the power of friendship to banish the monsters that haunt us.

wreck

Published: September 4, 2006

An intelligent, scientifically-minded boy goes to the beach equipped to collect and examine flotsam, anything that floats and has been washed ashore. bottles, lost toys, small objects of all kinds are among his usual finds. But there’s no way he could have prepared for one discovery in particular: a barnacle-encrusted underwater chamber, with its own secrets to share. . . And to keep in each of his amazing picture books, David Wiesner has revealed the magical possibilities of something ordinary or happening: a frog on a lily pad, a trip to the Empire State Building, a well-known children’s story. this time, a day at the beach is the springboard to a wildly imaginative exploration of the mysteries of the deep and the qualities that allow us to witness and delight in these wonders.

brilliance: a wordless book about love

Published: March 3, 2020

Brightness is the enchanting, wordless story of mia, an eight-year-old girl, whose love and joy flow from her in beautiful swirling colors. Each day she walks through the city sad and sad, but as Mia shares her love with the people she meets, the city slowly transforms until everything around her shines with vibrant colors. the glow is a testament to the power one person has to change the world and influence the people around them.

penguin paws

Published: March 1, 2020

penguin dreams of being a ship’s captain, but the other penguins only think of fish. so the penguin sets sail alone in search of friends and treasures galore. however, the ocean is big and dangerous, and the penguin may wish to return home even in the midst of his great adventure. this wonderful story is told entirely through illustrations. children must interpret the images and make connections to understand plot, sequence, and character development. Wordless books are a powerful literacy development tool that helps strengthen comprehension and storytelling skills, making them a great addition to your home or classroom library.

gopher gopher

Published: February 5, 2021

(sports humor) two gophers feel the joy and trials of golf (thanks to other creatures). kids can find and name animals as they describe the action on the golf course.

There they are: 40 of the best wordless picture books you’ll find! which of these have you read? I loved Rosie’s glasses. Which ones did I miss?

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more picture book lists

  • picture books about spring
  • children’s books about welcoming a new sibling
  • picture books by black authors

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