Sharing Wordless Picture Books

You check out a book and later discover that there aren't any words in it! What do you do now?

Wordless picture books are told entirely through their illustrations — they are books without words, or sometimes just a few words. Sharing wordless books with a child provides an opportunity for literacy-rich conversations. Each "reader" listens and speaks, and creates their own story in their own words. Sharing wordless books also reinforces the idea that the story and the pictures are connected. Elementary-aged students often enjoy writing down their original story to accompany a wordless book.

Below are a few tips for sharing wordless picture books with a child:

• Recognize that there are no "right" or "wrong" ways to read a wordless book. One of the wonderful benefits of using wordless books is how each child creates his own story (or stories!) from the same pictures.
• Spend time looking at the cover and talking about the book's title. Based on those two things, make a few predictions about the story.
• Take a "picture walk" through the pages of the book. Enjoy the illustrations, which are often rich with detail. Look carefully at the expressions on characters' faces, the setting and the use of color. Talk to each other about what you see. These conversations will enrich the storytelling.
• Enjoy the pictures and point out a few things, but don't worry too much about telling a story yet. Just enjoy the pictures and get a sense of what the book is about.
• Go back through the book a second time and get ready for some great storytelling! Consider going first and acting as a model for your child. Ham it up! Have characters use different voices, add sound effects and use interesting words in your version of the book.
• Encourage your child to "read" you the book with his story. Focus on the words your child uses when he tells the story. Help your child expand his sentences or thoughts by encouraging him to add information from the illustration's details. One way to encourage more details is by asking "W" questions: Who? Where? When? Why?
• Finish your wordless book sharing by asking a few simple questions: What pictures helped you tell the story? What was your favorite part of your story? Have you had an experience like the one in your story?

Sharing wordless books is a terrific way to build important literacy skills, including listening skills, vocabulary, comprehension — and an increased awareness of how stories are "built," as the storyteller often uses a beginning, middle, end format. For a book with few words, you'll be surprised at all the talking you will do, and all the fun you'll have!

 Thanks to Reading Rockets for putting together this article. Check out their website, ReadingRockets.org, for more literacy-related resources.

Here are some books from McMinnville's library collection. Or search on your own for Genre books "Stories without words"

Cool Cat by Nancy Hogrogian

Do You Want to Be My Friend? by Eric Carle

The Lion & the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney

Pancakes for Breakfast by Tomie DePaola

What's the Word? Scamper

In chapter 4 of Claude at the Circus by Alex T. Smith, we found the word "scamper" in this sentence:

“…Claude and Sir Bobblysock quickly scampered away to the ice cream van.”

What does it mean?

To scamper means to to run or move quickly and often playfully.

 

We created our own sentence using this new word.

 Mama shouts to her barnyard of children, "Scamper off, and let me get to my quiltin'."

Other words from this book that add to our vocabulary: fetching, beret, miffed, buggy (as in, the British term for stroller)

This is a silly and simple book, great for early elementary enjoyment.

Research shows that reading 20 minutes a day expands one’s vocabulary. Every week we’ll point out a word that we’ve discovered in our books.

We used http://www.merriam-webster.com to provide this definition.

Writing Contests

Sharpen your pencils, find a blank page and get writing!

Two annual writing contests have deadlines approaching.

 

Paper Gardens

Deadline March 1st, 2014

Poetry (traditional, free verse, haiku, tanka, poetry of place, specific to Yamhill County)

Prose (short story; creative non-fiction)

Children ages 6 – 12; Youth 13- 17; Adults 18 and up

Free entry fee for children and youth.

Winners receive a free chapbooks, a certificate of recognition and are invited to read their work at the awards ceremony on April 18, 2014.

Check out the website’s flyer for more detailed information: http://www.artsallianceyamhillco.org/paper-gardens-writing-contest-flyer.html

Friends of the Library Essay Contest

Deadline March 21^st, 2014

What I liked about (title of book) and what I would change in it

1st- 2^nd grade essays must be 50 to 100 words.

3rd- 4^th grade essays must be 100 to 200 words.

5th- 6^th grade essays must be 200 to 300 words.

Prizes will be awarded for each division in Spanish and English. First Place $25 gift certificate; Second Place $15 gift certificate; Third Place $10 gift certificate.

For more detailed information check out the flyer on the Library’s website: http://maclibrary.org/media/2014_contest_flyer.pdf

Just a fraction of our library resources:

If I were a Chocolate Mustache  ny J. Patrick Lewis. A collection of funny poems.  (811 LEWIS)

Henry and Hala Build a Haiku  by Nadia Higgins. Read a story about how to write haiku. (811 Higgins) 

Putting it in Writing by Steve Otfinski. A guide for writing essays, school reports and more formally written items.  (808 Otfinski)