A boy standing next to an easel looking at a group of giraffes running by.
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Raúl Colón, Illustration for Draw! (Simon & Schuster). Collection of the artist. © 2014 Raúl Colón.

Why Wordless?

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Why would you create a book with no words? And how do you read a wordless picture book to children? Join David Wiesner, guest curator of Speechless: The Art of Wordless Picture Books and exhibition artists Molly Bang, Raúl Colón, Marla Frazee, and Eric Rohmann as they answer these questions, pose questions to one another, and share their process in creating wordless picture books.

Can’t make it on November 18? Join us on December 2 for our second Why Wordless? virtual program when David Wiesner is joined by Matthew Cordell, Barbara Lehman, and Chris Raschka.

Who You'll Meet
Author/Illustrator David Wiesner

David Wiesner

David Wiesner is one of the most highly acclaimed picture-book creators working today. He has won the prestigious Caldecott Medal three times, for Tuesday, The Three Pigs, and Flotsam. He’s also received three Caldecott Honors, for Free Fall, Sector 7, and Mr. Wuffles! 
Artist website
Author/Illustrator Molly Bang

Molly Bang

Molly Bang has written and illustrated more than twenty books for young readers, including When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry…(1999); Ten Nine, Eight (1983);  and The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher (1980), each of which were Caldecott Honor books.
Artist website
Raúl Colón sitting in front of a fire place

Raúl Colón

Raúl Colón is an award-winning illustrator of over 30 children’s books, including Draw!; Imagine!; Susanna Reich’s José! Born to Dance; Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Christmas; and Jill Biden’s Don’t Forget, God Bless Our Troops. Throughout his distinguished career, Colón has inspired readers and illustrators alike with his exceptional artistry, unique techniques, and powerful stories of people who never give up on their dreams.
Author/Illustrator Marla Frazee

Marla Frazee

Marla Frazee was awarded a Caldecott Honor for All the World and A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever and the Boston Globe Horn Book Award for Picture Book for The Farmer and the Clown. She is the author-illustrator of Roller Coaster, The Boss Baby, and Boot & Shoe, as well as the illustrator of many other books including The Seven Silly Eaters, Stars, and the NYT bestselling Clementine series.
Artist website
Illustrator Eric Rohmann

Eric Rohmann

Eric Rohmann is a painter, printmaker, and author. His work includes the Caldecott Award winning book, My Friend Rabbit; and the Caldecott Honor book, Time Flies. Along with over a dozen picture book illustrations, Eric has created book jackets for several novels, including The Golden Compass, by Lois Lowry, and His Dark Materials series, by Philip Pullman.
Artist website
Explore Further
Child playing on seashore with seagulls flying overhead.
Past Exhibition

Speechless: The Art of Wordless Picture Books

July 17 - December 5, 2021
Seeing is believing in this celebration of wordless picture books.
Illustration of whale and ship talking.
Story Board

Louder than Words: A History of Wordless Storytelling

Discover the origins of wordless picture books.