Our Montessori Bookshelf: Wordless Picture Books Part 2

Meagan Ledendecker • July 31, 2023
Image from the book Float by Daniel Miyares

Because we love wordless picture books so much, we wanted to share a few more of our favorites. If you are exploring wordless picture books for the first time, or have been enjoying them for quite a while, we hope you enjoy this collection. 

 

If you are looking for some new ways to “read” wordless picture books, we offer these tips:

 

  1. When you first look at the book, think about the experience as a picture walk. Notice and discuss the illustrations and details, especially how they tell a story of what is happening.
  2. The next time you explore the same book, take time to name what is happening on each page. This is a little bit like constructing the outline of the story.
  3. The third time you “read” the book, narrate the story as if you were reading text.
  4. After these experiences, invite your child to use their own words to tell the story of what they see. 

 

These steps strengthen children’s ability to be storytellers. As they “read” wordless picture books, they build the skills for their own future story writing. 

 

Just a quick reminder that the books we are sharing are grounded in the real world. There are some wonderful fantasy-based wordless picture books for older children, too. Our two-part collection is appropriate for any age!

Float

by Daniel Miyares


A simple origami boat leads a young boy on a neighborhood adventure. The story begins with a bit of rain and puddles of fun. But what happens when the boat drifts away and through the grate? The arc of the story, as well as the use of color in this book, bring a resounding sense of a young child’s struggle, the support that allows for resilience, and the joy of possibility.

Image of book cover for Float by Daniel Miyares

The Lion and the Mouse

by Jerry Pinkney


Based on Aesop’s fable of the same name, this richly illustrated book uses every space on the page to show the expansiveness of the African Serengeti and the power of relationship. The story begins when a mouse escapes an owl, only to find itself on the back of a lion. Given the gift of freedom, the mouse returns the favor when the lion gets caught in a trap. The illustrations are enhanced by the sounds in written form. The squeaks, growls, roars, and scratches remind us of the power of communication in all its forms!

Image of cover for book The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney
Image of cover of the book Mirror by Jeannie Baker

Mirror

by Jeannie Baker


Inspired by her travels and the idea of seeing ourselves reflected in those who could be considered strangers, Baker has created two stories within one book: one set in southern Morocco and the other in her home of Sydney, Australia. Each story follows a family throughout their day, from waking up to meals to errands to time as a family. The lives of the boys in each story may look very different, yet Baker offers a delightful challenge to find what connects them. 

That Neighbor Kid

by Daniel Miyares


When a new boy moves in next door, a young girl’s curiosity gets the best of her especially after he uses planks from the fence to create a ladder up a tree. When she goes to investigate, she discovers not only a new friend but also the power of collaboration. As they create a treehouse together, even the leaves of the tree come to life with color and joy.

Image of the cover of the book That Neighbor Kid by Daniel Miyares

Click here for a downloadable PDF of this booklist! We hope you and your children enjoy these books as much as we do!


image of an adult and an elementary student sitting together on the floor reviewing a lesson

The Science Behind the Magic: Four More Reasons Montessori Works

By Meagan Ledendecker • April 27, 2026
Discover how peer learning, meaningful context, adult interaction, and order align Montessori with the science of how children learn best.
Image of three elementary students standing and crouching around a raised garden bed

Does Montessori Actually Work? Here's What the Science Says

By Meagan Ledendecker • April 20, 2026
Does Montessori work? Explore the research behind movement, choice, interest, and intrinsic motivation in Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius.
Image of a guide crouching near the floor with a child using a dustpan and brush

When We're the Ones Who Lost It: A Guide for Adults

By Meagan Ledendecker • April 13, 2026
When we lose our cool, repair matters most. Explore accountability, curiosity, and connection to break reactive cycles and parent with intention.
image of a preschool aged child on a carpet with the geometric prism lesson

Unifying Words and Their Meanings: The Quiet Genius of Montessori Vocabulary Lessons

By Meagan Ledendecker • April 6, 2026
Explore the Montessori three-period lesson and how its quiet simplicity unites words and meaning during a child’s sensitive period for language.

Our Montessori Bookshelf: Water Connects Us

By Meagan Ledendecker • March 30, 2026
Rivers are so important to our human story. They are sources of nourishment, transportation, and connection. We see how children are naturally drawn to water, and rivers offer a powerful way to understand ecology, interdependence, and our place within the natural world. With this in mind, we want to share some of our favorite books about water, rivers, and watersheds. Through story and illustration, children can trace the journey of a single drop of water, observe how land and water shape one another, and begin to understand how human choices affect the health of our planet. We’ve grouped the following collection of river and water-focused books by developmental stage. Each title offers language, beauty, and meaningful context for deeper exploration. Whether you are reading with a toddler, a younger elementary child, or an emerging researcher, these books invite wonder, responsibility, and reverence for one of Earth’s most essential elements. For the Youngest
Image of an elementary child sitting on the floor with the Racks and Tubes math material

How Montessori Makes Long Division Make Sense

By Meagan Ledendecker • March 23, 2026
In Montessori classrooms, long division unfolds very differently, giving children a real sense of why it works instead of the confusing sequence of steps to memorize and repeat that many of us remember. Learn more in this post.
Show More