A wordless book tells the story through pictures.  Since there's nothing to read, it presents a great opportunity for your child to tell the story.  Looking at pictures and trying to think through what the image conveys about the characters and plot, requires some creative thinking and problem solving.  Talking about the ideas a child has about what the pictures mean, helps him or her develop oral language skills and sequencing.  Many wonderful wordless books are too abstract for preschoolers, so be on the lookout for those that are age-appropriate (and ask a children's librarian for help!)

In South by Patrick McDonnell, the leaves have fallen from the trees, the birds have migrated and snow is beginning to fall, when a little bird wakes up and discovers he's missed the departure of his flock.  A cat happens by, sees the distraught bird weeping, takes his hand and begins to walk him south.  The simple story and spare pictures makes this wordless book a perfect early winter choice for sharing with your preschooler.

"If you hold a wand the right way,

you might see a wish come true.

Not always.

Only sometimes.

You never know about a wish."

After you read Stars by Mary Lyn Ray with your child, think about something you might do together that was suggested in the text. For example, you might make a star to keep in your pocket, to give to someone else, to put on a stick and make wishes, or to put on your shirt and be the sheriff.  Such activities will build your child's understanding of the book and increase his or her desire to share the book again.  Compare your experiences together to those described in the book. 

Wordless books are very useful for building your child's abilities to tell stories.  Fox and Hen Together by Beatrice Rodrizuez has a simple plot which preschoolers can understand and will find interesting.

Most preschoolers need help and support to make sense of wordless books.  Help your child to examine the pictures to determine what's happening and then put their thoughts into words. Ask questions that lead to an understanding.  Start with a request that your child describe what he or she sees or ask "What do you think is happening here?"  If your child overlooks an important detail, point it out and prompt "Look, the fox is holding the egg.  Why do you think that is?"  Soon, your child will be capable of telling the story independently. 

When children catch living things outdoors, they often want to take them home as pets.  This lovely new book tells the story of a boy who gets to give it a try.  A little boy badly wants a pet, and when he finds a turtle at the park, his parents let him bring it home.  It gradually becomes clear that the turtle isn't happy in captivity and the family returns him to the wild with plans to visit him in the future.   Discuss the meaning of habitat with your child and the value of keeping wild things wild.

Cox Aboretum has a lot of turtles...

Did you know?

"Children who play regularly in natural environments show more advanced motor fitness, including coordination, balance and agility, and they are sick less often." 

from: BENEFITS OF PLAY IN NATURE FOR CHILDREN BY RANDY WHITE