(Mostly) Wordless

PreS-Gr 1—This collection of vignettes told primarily through pictures was made possible through the funding of a successful Kickstarter campaign, allowing the author to share his originally handmade books with a larger audience. The opening story, "Ella and the Pirates," focuses on three children traveling across the seas and sand in order to battle a pirate and uncover buried treasure through make-believe play. Alexander depicts characters and settings with realistic detail, using a dry brush technique throughout, and the images feel timeless and classic. The opening entries share strong fantasy elements while the latter half are more character studies. The volume concludes with an illustrated nursery rhyme. The stories have wide appeal, and the limited use of words allows for broad exploration. Recommended for those looking to expand their wordless picture book collections.—Matthew C. Winner, Ducketts Lane Elementary School, Elkridge, MD