Young Prince Rashko is frustrated with his familyÑno one does any thinking but him! The kingdom and castle seem to be in the hands of fools. So when Rashko’s parents mysteriously disappear and the evil Baron Temny parks his army outside the castle walls, it is up to the young prince to save the day. But there is more to this castle and its history than meets the eye, and Rashko will have to embrace his ancestry, harness a dragon, and use his sword-fighting skills to stop the baron and save the kingdom. Along the way, he realizes that his family is not quite as stupid as he always thought. Master storyteller Joseph Bruchac, known for his smart, gripping Native American books, here combines his signature action and adventure with a large dose of humor, which just brings this story to a whole new level.
Visual Narratives
Visual Narratives encompasses “silent” and “wordless” books.
The Hero Of Little Street
When a boy being chased through present-day London seeks refuge in the National Gallery, a dog escapes from the painting of one Dutch master and together they leap into the painting of another, where their adventures in seventeenth-century Delft are a prelude to returning to London and continuing the chase.
Who Will Save My Planet?
This unique and powerful wordless book uses striking photos to show the impact of humans on the environment. Each provocative image speaks volumes. On every spread we are shown a treasure that nature has given us beside a picture of how we’ve abused that treasure. We see a beautiful forest glade beside a devastated patch of burned-out wood, a gorgeous green parrot beside a dull-feathered caged bird, a sparkling waterfall beside a garbage-clogged river. It would take thousands of words to express the important environmental message presented by Cristina Urrutia.
The Conductor
Pairing two seemingly disparate elements, an orchestra conductor and a grove of trees, award-winning artist Laetitia Devernay herself orchestrates a visual magnum opus. Her spare, yet intricate, illustrations truly appear to take flight before our eyes and her wordless narrative nearly roars with sound as the conductor prompts the leaves to rustle, then whirl, then swirl to unexpected life with each turn of the page. It is a celebration of creativity, imagination, storytelling, and the renewing power of nature that will entrance readers of every age.
Tuesday
Frogs rise on their lily pads, float through the air, and explore the nearby houses while their inhabitants sleep.
Mirror
In Sydney, Australia, and in Morocco, two boys and their families have a day of shopping. Readers are invited to compare illustrations in two wordless stories that are intended to be read one from left to right and the other from right to left.
See the review at WOW Review, Volume 3, Issue 2
The Tree House
A polar bear rides on a whale to get to a marvelous treehouse, and more and more animals come to join him there.
Anno’s Spain
The imaginative Anno takes us through Spain in his newest journey book, depicting the enchanting cities and eras of this intriguing country. Wordless book.
The Chicken Thief
In this wordless story that is both funny and sweet, a fox steals a hen away from her home. Bear, rabbit, and rooster give chase, but in a twist on the usual children’s story, this fox is not a villain. Rather, he tenderly holds hen as he runs into the night. A funny and life-affirming story, “The Chicken Thief” defies expectations, enlivening the mind with its cleverness while going straight for the heart. This intelligent and charming book is great for all ages. A love story, a road movie, and a playful speculation on stereotypes and misconceptions, “The Chicken Thief” makes for an unforgettable reading experience! Beatrice Rodriguez was born in 1969. She received her degree from the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France, and works today as an illustrator, creating children’s books as well as pictures for the press. She lives in France.
Wave
In this wordless book, Suzy Lee tells the story of a little girl’s day at the beach.