A little boy goes with his parents to visit
his grandmother and grandfather. How impatient he is!
However, the journey, with its surprises, seems endless…
The boy sometimes anticipates and sometimes finds interesting ways
to distract himself and make the journey more enjoyable.
A wonderful wordless book on a always relevant topic,
especially when it comes to small children who have difficulty
waiting for something they really want.
Finalist in the shortlist of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in the illustrators' exhibition, 2024
Silent books are a special category of books for children – and not only. They are books without words, which tell a story, using only their illustrations. These “different” books can pride themselves not only on their originality but also on the multiple benefits they offer to their readers.
First of all, they stimulate the imagination even more than a conventional illustrated book, as here the child is called to carefully observe the images, remember them, and then compose in their mind the story they tell, without the guidance and limitations of any text.
They are also suitable for co-reading and provide the opportunity for the parent or teacher to encourage the child to narrate the story in their own words, thus contributing to the development of ideas, oral language production, vocabulary enrichment, and boosting the desire for reading and writing.
Of course, the story that emerges each time can be somewhat or considerably different, depending on the personality and particular characteristics of the storyteller. This fact helps children to perceive and realize the differences as well as the similarities among themselves. The whole process enhances self-awareness, self-esteem, expression of feelings, social skills, and empathy in children.
Finally, silent books are ideal for special groups, such as children with learning difficulties or children from other countries who struggle with reading and writing. They have the ability to create “bridges” between different individuals, regardless of age, nationality, abilities, and interests.
As IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) points out, the nature of silent books, which transcends the limitations imposed by language, culture, age, and cognitive ability, gives the reading experience a distinctly democratic character.
Age: +4 years
