Books With No Words

The "Carl" books are some of my very favorite children's books. However, they present a challenge for many parents and teachers because the "Carl" books are virtually wordless books. The most effective way to utilize books such as these is to sit with your child and look at each page very carefully. Then ask your child, "What is happening on this page?" Point to each element on the page and say something like, "This is Carl. What is Carl doing?" "Do you see the mother in this story? What is she doing?" "Point to the baby. What is the baby doing?" And so on. Books such as these are authored for the purpose of building a child's vocabulary and enriching their imaginations. However, children need an adult guide for many reading episodes before they are ready to "talk to themselves" about the book as they leaf through it.

Not only are the "Carl" books great vocabulary builders, the illustrations are beautiful. In addition, these books are very thick cardboard books that feel really nice to the touch. What follows is a synopsis of Carl Goes Shopping by Alexandra Day (no relation).

Carl, everyone's favorite rottweiler, is back in an all-new adventure. This time Mom asks him to watch the baby in a department store. The minute she's out of sight, Carl and the baby's adventure begins. Should they help the animals escape from the pet department? But, A no! There's Mom heading back toward the baby's carriage. It's up to Carl to return the baby in time.