Before the Words: How ‘Quest’ Sparked My 3-Year-Old’s Curiosity About

“Tell me the story, Daddy.”
That’s what my 3-year-old daughter said as she climbed onto my lap and opened Quest by Aaron Becker — the second wordless picture book in a stunning trilogy we’ve been exploring together.

This was our second journey into Becker’s world of rich, wordless storytelling. And once again, she took the lead.

As a dad and a primary school teacher, I’m used to thinking about phonics, blending, and tricky words. But watching my daughter completely immersed in the illustrations — pointing at characters, making up dialogue, and predicting what would happen next — reminded me of something powerful:

You don’t need to know how to read to fall in love with stories.

Why Wordless Books Work So Well (Even Before Reception)

When I first picked up Journey — the first book in Becker’s trilogy — I had no idea how impactful it would be. Now, Quest has only deepened the magic.

Here’s why these books work so well for pre-readers:

• They empower children to be storytellers. My daughter isn’t “listening to Daddy read” — she’s actively interpreting what’s happening and crafting her own narrative.

• They naturally build comprehension skills. Without text, she’s focusing on sequencing, character emotions, and cause-and-effect — all the building blocks of reading comprehension.

• They invite rich conversation. I ask open-ended questions like “What do you think she’s drawing?” or “Why do you think the bird looks worried?” Her answers blow me away.

• They foster visual literacy. She’s learning to “read” images — interpreting body language, settings, and moods. That’s a huge skill, especially in a world filled with visual media.

How This Changes Our Reading Routine

Before we started these books, our bedtime reading was usually short picture books with simple rhymes or a few familiar characters. Now, we set aside special time to “go on an adventure” with her own version of the story.

She turns the pages slowly. She notices little details I miss. She gets excited when she sees a magical door or a returning character.

She’s not passive. She’s a Page Master in the making — confidently engaging with books in a way that feels completely natural to her.

What's Next for My Little Page Master

This phase has helped her fall in love with books for what they are: exciting, mysterious, beautiful, and open-ended.

Now, I’m gently laying the groundwork for the next stage — letter recognition.
We’re starting with:

• Alphabet puzzles and fridge magnets

• Singing songs like the ABC song or phonics jingles

• Naming letters in her name

All of it is playful and pressure-free. She’s showing more interest in what letters look like and what sounds they make — and I know that’s the natural next step.

When she starts Reception, I want her to already see books as exciting, not intimidating.

Want to Start the Journey Too?

If you’re a fellow Page Keeper to a young child, I can’t recommend Aaron Becker’s trilogy enough.
You can get the full series — Journey, Quest, and Return — on Amazon.

These books open the door to a magical, screen-free world of imagination — no decoding required.

Final Thoughts

We often think that reading starts when a child can say the letter “A” or blend “c-a-t.” But it really begins long before that — when a child looks at a page, feels curious, and wants to know more.

That’s what Quest gave us this week. And as a dad, that’s all I can hope for.

Page Keepers — want to build a love of books before your child can read?
Try Quest with your little one and let them tell you the story. You might be surprised at how much they already understand.

Let me know in the comments what wordless books your Page Masters love — I’m always on the lookout!