Before Phonics, There Was Wonder: How Wordless Books Sparked My Daughter’s Storytelling

The other morning, my daughter and I curled up together with The Journey by Aaron Becker—a book with no words at all. Just page after page of rich, detailed illustrations that unfold like a dream. She’s only three, but for ten quiet (and sometimes not-so-quiet) minutes, she became the storyteller.

If you’ve never sat down with a wordless picture book before, I can’t recommend it enough—especially if you’ve got a little one who’s not quite ready to decode letters but is more than ready to imagine.

As a teacher and a parent, I’ve always known that reading is about more than sounding out words. But with my son, now seven, I focused early on things like phonics, letter sounds, and simple sight words. With my daughter, I’m realising there’s a beautiful stage before that—a chance to let her see books as places where her voice matters. And it started with no words at all.

Why Wordless Books Work

Here’s what I love about using books like The Journey with my daughter:

• She becomes the narrator
  There’s no “right” story. The magic crayon in The Journey leads the main character through all sorts of fantastical scenes—boat rides, castles, flying carpets—and each time we read it, my daughter tells it a bit differently. She’s not being “tested.” She’s exploring.

• They’re open-ended by design
  I get to ask questions that don’t have one correct answer.

  • “What’s happening here?”

  • “Why do you think she drew a door?”

  • “How do you think that guard feels?”
    These are the kinds of questions that build inference skills and emotional understanding—way before she even knows what those words mean.

• No reading pressure
  Because there’s no text, there’s nothing she can’t do. She’s not comparing herself to older siblings or worrying about “getting it right.” She’s in charge.

What She’s Really Learning

While she’s turning the pages and telling her version of events, she’s developing:

• Vocabulary: She’s using new words to describe actions, settings, and feelings.

• Sequencing: She’s learning how stories have a beginning, middle, and end.

• Empathy: She’s starting to consider how characters feel in different situations.

• Confidence: She’s discovering that her voice, ideas, and imagination belong in books.

These are the very skills that help children thrive once they do begin formal reading—and it’s happening in a way that’s natural and joyful.

A Few Other Wordless Gems

If you’re curious to try this approach, here are some other wordless books we love:

• Journey, Quest, and Return by Aaron Becker – a stunning trilogy

• Flotsam by David Wiesner – full of underwater mystery

• A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka – simple but full of heart

• Chalk by Bill Thomson – similar magical drawing theme

Try This at Home

If you’ve got a toddler or preschooler, here’s a simple way to start:

1. Choose a wordless book with expressive, detailed images.

2. Sit together and let them lead. Don’t correct or direct too much.

3. Ask open-ended questions as you go—things like:

   • “What do you see?”

   • “Why do you think that happened?”

   • “What would you do if you had a magic crayon?”

You don’t need to be a teacher or reading expert. Just be present, curious, and willing to listen.

Let’s Raise Storytellers

Our journey to reading doesn’t have to start with flashcards or phonics apps. It can begin with a shared story made up on the spot—by a three-year-old with a big imagination and a dad who’s happy to listen.

If you’ve tried wordless books with your little one, I’d love to hear which ones they loved most! Drop a comment below or tag us in a photo of your next storytime adventure.

And if you’re just starting out, give The Journey a try. You might be surprised at the worlds your child sees—and creates—between the pages.