Wordless, or nearly-wordless books usually have outstanding pictures and illustrations. The reason for this is that there is very little text to carry the plot. So artists must create the story through the use of intriguing drawings. The massive explosion in graphic books is a testimony to the success of wordless or nearly-wordless picture books. Since these types of books create a learning environment based on iconography, or the substitution of pictures in the place of text, a very different reading experience is created.
This genre has been around for hundreds of years and in the 1950s found its way into the common culture through comic books. It is important not to deride wordless books as lacking literary merit since many people gain valuable insights through these books. Additionally, though there isn’t much text, every word really counts in graphic books.
This book, "Blackout," is an outstanding example of a nearly wordless book. Rocco draws readers into the subject and lets them experience the setting of a hot summer night when the electricity goes out.
It is a sweltering night in the city. All of life spins around a young child. His family is far too busy to pay any attention to him. Both parents are working getting supper ready and balancing figures on the computer. The older sister is talking to friends on the phone about many important topics and can’t be bothered to talk to a lonely little brother.
Not knowing what to do, he climbs up the stairs into a secluded room and takes out his video game. With the cat sitting next to him, the boy begins playing the game. His interest in the game is only slightly above zero, but the rest of his family is too occupied to pay any attention. Then suddenly the power grid has a breakdown and all the lights begin going out throughout the city. Soon everyone is sitting in the dark and can’t quite figure out how to manage.
The boy has an idea. What would happen if everyone got a flashlight and the family began playing a board game? This simple idea seems revolutionary to the overly busy parents and sister, but they try it. Soon everyone is laughing, talking and having a good time.
Next, the boy asks his parents if they can go up to the rooftop and look at the stars. As the family ascends the steps, they open the top door and walk into an inky, black, starry wonderland. Everyone is overwhelmed by the beauty of the night. Looking around, they see that the entire neighborhood is also out that night. In fact, a party is beginning in the street. They start wondering if they should go down and enjoy the festivities, or just stay up on the roof and experience the spectacular evening. It is a tough decision.
What choice does the family make? Would you prefer to gaze peacefully at the stars scattered so beautifully across the Milky Way Galaxy or go down stairs and have fun at a street party? Did you ever just spend an evening playing board games with your family? What did you experience? What do you think happens to the family when the lights come back on? What does the family in the story learn about a night without electricity? To find out, go to the library and check out this Newbery Honor winner, "Blackout" by John Rocco.
While many people have attacked wordless, nearly-wordless books and graphic novels as lowering the literary culture, parents should just relax on this matter. It is okay that some fourth-graders are not yet drawn to "great literature." Just let them eagerly read the books they find interesting and allow development take care of the rest. "Blackout" is a really fun book. I hope you get a chance to read it with your younger family members. Enjoy!
