“When I started at school, I was nervous, too shy. Not in my comfort zone. Now everyday I’m happy to be in school, ready to learn.”
— Pupil from the ImpactEd study on Books Beyond Words in schools
What are Beyond Words Books?
Beyond Words books are picture stories, without words, about real life. They are read individually or in groups, usually with support, to allow and empower people to flourish in our often-confusing, information-driven world, ensuring that their experiences and voices are understood, validated and valued.
Readers interpret the story that they see in the pictures, and sometimes the pictures enable them to tell their own story too. They are designed to remove barriers to understanding and communication, reducing anxiety about unknown and confusing situations by providing a shared communication tool.
Picture stories, without words, give children a way to talk about the things that are happening in their lives, or the lives of their friends or family, without having to talk about themselves. When someone sees a character having a similar experience on a page, it opens conversations without becoming personal, allowing for processing and discussion that feels non-confrontational. There is plenty to talk about and each story explores feelings and relationships, as well as giving information.
When a young person uses their own words to describe what they see, teachers and educators gain an insight into their experiences, worries and mindset.
Why use word-free stories?
Children’s mental health is in crisis. According to a 2023 study by NHS England, 1 in 5 children and young people had a probable mental disorder. Books Beyond Words’ resources have been proven to consistently empower children and young people to take control of their own feelings and behaviour.
Supporting emotional wellbeing
In our most recent 2024 study of our picture stories in schools, we found that 92% of pupils in the study improved their overall emotional wellbeing when using our resources.
Our 2024 study with ImpactEd found that, after using our resources in school:
- 94% of pupils became more able to identify and express a range of emotions
- 92% of pupils in the study improved their overall emotional wellbeing
- 94% of pupils were found to have achieved their best hoped for outcome
Use of our books is strongly linked with pupil progress towards emotional wellbeing, stronger peer relationships, and an ability to express and recognise a range of emotions.
“Books Beyond Words have enabled us to give high attention support to pupils not receiving emotional health and wellbeing support via other interventions or therapies – those who might not have met criteria or been high priority within cohorts.”
— A school from the ImpactEd report
A unique resource
The ImpactEd study also found that our resources are filling a gap in provision that is not met by other curricula resources. They are highly adaptable to different school contexts, pedagogical practices and need.
“This is my go-to resource. There just isn’t another resource available on the market that is age appropriate and covers the sensitive issues and social issues that you need that extra prompt for. This opens discussions immediately.” – Leigh Blakeman, Tutor
The Open Book Project
When we first set out to prove our pictures worked to help children’s mental health in schools, we created the Open Book Project. This was a study of 22 special schools using our resources in 2021. The Open Book Project found that using our word-free resources consistently:
- empowered children and young people to take control of their own feelings and behaviour
- facilitated greater and deeper understanding of self and social context
- built pupils’ emotional repertoire, insight and empathy
- broadened pupils’ vocabulary and language skills
- captured imagination and improved engagement in the classroom.
Using word-free stories in one-to-one interactions, classroom settings and peer groups, can support children with their mental health. It empowers children to talk, think and communicate about their feelings.
How to use the Beyond Words Books
The books can be read by a person on their own, as part of a one-to-one session with a child or young person, in a group with other young people for peer support or with the whole class. It is not necessary for a person to be able to read, or to speak any words at all. You can use printed copies of each book, or you can project the images onto a screen.
Start at the beginning and encourage the reader(s) to turn the pages themselves or say when they are ready for the next picture. Each person can tell the story that they see in their own way. For some people, this will be using words. For others, it may be signs, facial expressions, or whatever works for them.
You will discover what each person thinks is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. You may think something different is happening in the pictures yourself, but that doesn’t matter. Their interpretation tells you about their life experience and understanding.
A key hoped for outcome is a deeper engagement with the topic, with their own reaction to what is happening in the story and with other readers.
Each book has helpful notes to support practitioners when using the book with young people.
How to support while reading
You don’t have to read the whole story in one session. Allow people the time to follow the pictures at their own pace. Stay longer with any pictures that interest them.
Some people will follow the story without any problems. If a picture is more difficult, it can help to prompt with open questions, gradually going deeper into the meaning. For example:
- I wonder who that is?
- I wonder what is happening?
- What is this person doing now?
- I wonder how this person is feeling?
- Have you felt like that? Has it happened to you, your friend, or someone in your family?
More information …
For more information on using Books Beyond Words resources in your classroom, visit the Books Beyond Words website. You will find an introduction to the Open Book Project, as well as two webinars from the TES SEN Show 2021.
