Picture books can inform, excite and help youngsters understand the world around them. There are also picture books that can help children communicate, as well as extend their imaginations. I’ve compiled some outstanding new picture books that are generally wordless. These types of books are perfect to help youngsters verbalize what they see in the pictures and then imagine or predict what events might take place before turning to the next page.
Bluebird, by Bob Staake, reminds me of the famous French short movie, “The Red Balloon”. It has a similar path of circumstances that happen to a young boy, only in this story it has to do with a small bluebird. The bird notices that the boy seems sad and lonely in school and is even bullied by his peers. The bird becomes his friend and they enjoy one another until the classmates notice the bird and try to destroy it. There are many levels in this story for adults and youngsters to discuss including empathy, concern, friendship, hope – and life and death.
Ball, by Mary Sullivan, is a clever story that actually has one word which is the title of the book. The dog that is featured on the cover is the main subject and his love and anticipation of playing with a small red ball is his main objective. When the girl goes to school, the expression on the dog is full of sad bereavement. How he goes through his day at home attempting to find someone or something to play ball with him is hilarious and brilliant! There’s a great chance that your very young child will surely know this word by the story’s end. The digitally colored panels that are drawn with pencil brilliantly give a hue of an old-fashioned look of faint yellow and orange.
The Boy and the Airplane, by Mark Pett, has pages filled with muted grays and light browns reminiscent of the color of wrapping paper. The story begins with the legs of an adult walking away and a small boy holding onto a wrapped package. Upon opening the package he finds a toy airplane. He proceeds to throw it and play with it until it accidentally lands on the roof. He then attempts to retrieve it to no avail. How he solves this dilemma, and the lessons learned, portrays patience and selflessness. The muted watercolors make for a story reminiscent of days long past.
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