I’d like to share some of my favourite wordless or silent picturebooks in the hope that this will encourage you to become familiar with silent books and their particular gifts.
Book list: Wordless picture books
The Magic of Wordless Picture Books
Wordless picture books can be magical. With no text pulling our eyes away, adults and children can explore the pictures together, and together tell the story.
Day in the life of Bei Lynn
Bei Lynn is an award-winning artist from Taiwan who has illustrated around 20 picture books for children. She took over the Gecko Press Instagram account on Thursday 13th August to share her day and also gave a sneak peek of her next book coming out next year!
The Inkberg Enigma: Q&A with Jonathan King
Jonathan King is a filmmaker and comic creator. The Inkberg Enigma is his first graphic novel for children. It’s a mystery adventure in which an unlikely pair uncover the secret that has corrupted a town.
Bibbit Jumps: Q&A with Bei Lynn
Bei Lynn is an award-winning artist from Taiwan who has illustrated around 20 picture books for children, some of which she has also written.
Bibbit Jumps is a charming illustrated chapter book for emerging readers about an enthusiastic frog who sometimes misses the mark.
Book list: Great graphic novels
This month’s book list has been put together by Monty Masseurs to celebrate the launch of Jonathan King’s first graphic novel for children, The Inkberg Enigma.
How Do You Make a Baby?: Q&A with Anna Fiske
Anna Fiske is an illustrator, author and cartoonist who lives in Norway. She has received numerous awards and been published around the world.
The Stone Giant: Q&A with Anna Höglund
Anna Höglund is one of Sweden’s leading illustrators. She is the author of over 20 books, and her artwork is featured in the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the National Museum in Stockholm.
Day in the life of Anna Fiske
Anna Fiske is an illustrator, author and cartoonist from Sweden. She took over the Gecko Press Instagram account on Wednesday 8th July and here is a peek into her workroom, her artwork, her process – and lots of drawings of babies!
Time to be brave
A challenge for publishers is to continue to be brave in what we choose to publish. Gecko Press has always chosen books that are not mainstream, that are curiously good and that look at the world in ways that surprise us. It is tempting to start looking towards the soft books that are likely to sell in droves. But if ever there was a time to not publish safe, it is now.
