Books are great – but words cannot always convey and articulate emotions in the best way possible. And sometimes, pictures, especially beautifully and poignantly made pictures can do the trick. Plus, there’s no age to picture books – they are enjoyed by adults and children alike, because everyone enjoys images. So, today, we’re urging you to pick up a picture book – preferable a wordless one – to expand your book horizons. Here are our personal recommendations for the wordless visual books to read this month.
Wordless Visual Books To Read This Month:
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
In this entirely wordless adult picture book, Shaun captures perfectly and sensitively the immigrant experience. Heartbreakingly taking his wife and daughter’s leave, he boards a steamship and flies away in the quest of giving his family a better life. This one will warm your heart just as it breaks it, and definitely deserves a place on your TBR.
Metronome by Veronique Tanaka
This book embodies the economy of storytelling – Tanaka limits her expression in this experimental book greatly. She uses neither colour nor words to tell this story, which makes sue only of black and white images. The story itself is that of a failed relationship, but it is the grace and music of the pictures that takes the cake away.
Congress of the Animals by Jim Woodring
This book follows Frank, as his house gets destroyed, which propels him to take up an unsavoury job to pay the cost of reconstruction. But soon, he escapes and goes on weird, surreal adventures in the world of the Unifactor. A masterpiece of surrealist storytelling, this book is hallucinogenic and layered.
Flotsam by David Wiesner
This is a children’s picture book but a treat to adult eyes, especially fantasy loving ones. This book follows a young boy at a beach, with a special interest in flotsam. But nothing compares to a barnacle encrusted camera he finds, revealing worlds of fascination that unfold underwater.
Mirror by Jeannie Baker
This book follows the life of two boys – one in Australia and the other in Morocco. As they go about their daily routines, such as going to the market and playing, a comparative adventure ensues. This is a very culture specific book with adorable illustrations that will make even adults drool.
Blackout by John Rocco
This story follows a blackout in the city that makes all technology redundant for the time being. This blackout forces a young boy and his family to take a pause, look around and spend some quality time with near and dear ones. And when the electricity comes on, the phones and laptops stay away – and a board game takes over.
Hug by Jez Alborough
This book tells the adorable and whimsical story of a monkey living in a forest who seeks a hug. As he searches high and low for a hug, he encounters animals and learns about their temperaments, their lives and their experiences. This is a visually captivating book, and perfect for animal lovers. It’s definitely a children’s book, but you will enjoy it, no matter what your age is.
Sidewalk Flowers by JonArno Lawson
This book follows a little girl and her father, as they go on a walk. The girl collects wildflowers, but her father is too busy to pay attention. Each wildflower transforms into a gift, altering both the giver and the recipient forever. This book will steal your heart and break it.
Summer’s Children by Anpu Varkey
In the heartland of a rubber plantation in Kerala, this wordless book explores a day in the life of two siblings. Embodying the siblings is one soul with two bodies, this book and its beautiful pencilly illustrations will captivate you.
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