Henry Cole's wordless picture book, Unspoken, illustrates the story of a farm girl who finds a runaway slave hiding in a barn. Afraid, thoughtful, and then compassionate, she silently helps in the way she can. When I first "read" this book, I was frightened. The fear on the face of the protagonist is palpable. However, after reading Caste by Isabel Wilkerson, I reread this book with a feeling of sheer terror. Readers and nonreaders of any age can walk through a wordless picture book. Each person will experience it differently, and this can spark conversation. A wordless picture book can bridge generations and communities. Teach 'N Tex has a graphic organizer specifically for this book.
Tania McCartney shares many more wordless books at "Wordless Picture Books and the Power of Visual Literacy." And, there's also a two-page guide packed with suggestions at Imagistory's Guide to Using Wordless Picture Books.
