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Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less Former library book; May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less See less
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Bill Thomson
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Chalk Hardcover – Picture Book, March 1, 2010

by Bill Thomson (Author, Illustrator)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,150 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Three children discover a magical bag of chalk on a rainy day
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    2 - 6 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 2
  5. Lexile measure
    NP
  6. Dimensions
    12.3 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  7. Publisher
    Two Lions
  8. Publication date
    March 1, 2010
  9. ISBN-10
    0761455264
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 4—This stunningly illustrated wordless picture book tells the story of three children who find a bag of magical chalk at the playground on a rainy day. Their drawings come to life, which seems great when a drawing of the sun stops the rain, but is scary when a dinosaur stalks them. A drawing of a rain cloud inside a play tube brings the rain back and dissolves the frightening creature. This imaginative story is the perfect showcase for Thomson's extraordinary pictures. Though they look like photos or computer-generated images, each one is actually composed using traditional techniques with acrylics and colored pencils. The artist's clever use of light, perspective, and expression, along with the protagonists' neat solution to their dilemma, creates a completely satisfying experience. Thomson is a master at visual storytelling.—Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD
(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

With eye-catching, realistic illustrations, clever details, and some dramatic suspense, this wordless picture book offers a fresh take on the drawings-come-to-life theme. One rainy day, three raincoat-clad children head to the playground and find a bag of chalk. When one girl draws a sun, something amazing happens: clouds break and a sunny blue sky appears. The second kid draws butterflies, which also appear. But when a boy draws a dinosaur, things get almost too exciting. Luckily, a solution is close at hand. Vibrant acrylic and colored-pencil illustrations, rendered with intricate precision, nearly leap off the page, as the expressive, diverse trio experiences magical, exhilarating moments that highlight how familiar materials and settings can inspire rewarding adventures. Varying perspectives, from vistas to close-ups, enhance the drama. A few scenarios, such as those featuring a giant, looming, spiky-toothed T. rex, may be too intense for the youngest children, but many kids will enjoy this testament to the power of creativity and imagination. Grades K-3. --Shelle Rosenfeld

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Two Lions; First Edition (March 1, 2010)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0761455264
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 2 - 6 years, from customers
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ NP
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 2
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.25 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 12.3 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,150 ratings

About the author

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Bill Thomson

Bill Thomson

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Bill Thomson lives in Southington, Connecticut with his wife, Diann, and their three sons, Billy, Nik, and Ethan. Bill illustrated the picture books, Karate Hour, Building With Dad, Baseball Hour, and Soccer Hour; and he also created the wordless books, CHALK, FOSSIL and The Typewriter. Bill teaches at the Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford where he is a Professor of Illustration.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,150 global ratings
Beautiful Book
5 Stars
Beautiful Book
I follow a speech/language pathologist on Instagram (@Meaningful Speech) who specializes in the NLA method or play based/child led therapy and this book was recommended recently on one of their posts. It is perfect for children of all ages. I love that there is no text. Only rich illustrations that will get the conversation going with your kiddo. Your child can create their own story this way too. The hardback is a very generous size and excellent quality! Buy it!
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Top reviews from the United States

Amy Gentry
5.0 out of 5 stars Pictures are stunning!
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2023
Verified Purchase
First, let me say, I never write reviews. I love this book so much I just have to let others know about it. I bought this book for my Kindergarten class's "Chalk and Bubbles Day". The illustrations are just incredible- so much emotion and detail! The kiddos got the storyline very easily even though there are no words- not always the case with wordless books. We made a picture afterwards on what we would draw with "magic chalk". I highly recommend this book for a fun read and a way to spark imagination. Love it!
3 people found this helpful
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BookLover1987
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
I follow a speech/language pathologist on Instagram (@Meaningful Speech) who specializes in the NLA method or play based/child led therapy and this book was recommended recently on one of their posts. It is perfect for children of all ages. I love that there is no text. Only rich illustrations that will get the conversation going with your kiddo. Your child can create their own story this way too. The hardback is a very generous size and excellent quality! Buy it!
Customer image
BookLover1987
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
I follow a speech/language pathologist on Instagram (@Meaningful Speech) who specializes in the NLA method or play based/child led therapy and this book was recommended recently on one of their posts. It is perfect for children of all ages. I love that there is no text. Only rich illustrations that will get the conversation going with your kiddo. Your child can create their own story this way too. The hardback is a very generous size and excellent quality! Buy it!
Images in this review
Customer image
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One person found this helpful
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prisrob
5.0 out of 5 stars Without Words
Reviewed in the United States on June 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
What do you think about dinosaurs? Do you like to draw?

The author, Bill Thomson, has written a brilliant book. This is a book for children with imaginations, and I have not seen many who are not imaginative. We find ourselves in a park on a rainy day, with children who find some chalk. Soon they are drawing pictures with the chalk. The sun, butterflies, a dinosaur, and soon they all come to life. The sun shines, the butterflies fly, and well, the dinosaur is there. When you read this book, you will discover what occurs next.

Adults will enjoy this book along with the children. The children will be able to make the story up as they go along and put words into the childrens' mouths. The illustrations by Bill Thomson are bright, vivid and colorful. They depict the story as it is seen. This is quite an innovative book, and a fullmclassroom would really enjoy this book as much as one child.

Recommended. prisrob 06-07-17
11 people found this helpful
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Trish
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow! Gorgeous art. Fascinating story.
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2016
Verified Purchase
"A rainy day. Three kids in a park. A dinosaur spring rider. A bag of chalk. The kids begin to draw . . . and then . . . magic."
Wow! My grandson and I have loved the books of David Wiesner - and have most of them. I've just discovered Bill Thomson and Chalk. Gorgeous art. Fascinating story. No words, but who needs words when the pictures tell it all (a picture is worth a 1,000 words, after all!). I was going to give this to my grandson for Christmas, but I don't think I can wait. He's going to get an early Christmas present today. I'm only sorry I've already purchased books for all the kids on my Christmas list this year. I sooo want to get this for someone! :-)
And, Bill Thomson . . . . he even thanked the company who made the playground ride this story is written around.
8 people found this helpful
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Dyane Hummel
5.0 out of 5 stars Extraordinary book - perfect for grandchildren.
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
Excellent children’s book. I’m a retired elementary school teacher. It has become one of my favorite. Extraordinary artistry In the illustrations. Develops imagination. Develops communication skills. Develops emotional intelligence. I keep copies in my gift closet.
One person found this helpful
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Ally Dubya
4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Chalk
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book starts with a group of kids who find a bag of chalk. The thrilling story takes you through different emotions all without words. You go from joy, to fear, to relief...all without a single word to guide you. This is art at its best. I never knew a story could be told, portrayed with such great detail, without a single word. You can create your own dialogue to go with the story, or simply allow the pictures to speak for themselves. An excellent book for kids of all ages.
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Kate E
5.0 out of 5 stars It's a great book to get kids involved in storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2017
Verified Purchase
Yes, this book has no words. But it doesn't need words because the pictures are so engaging. It's a great book to get kids involved in storytelling. You can tell the story together and talk about what is happening in the pictures. It's so much fun to re-read because the story can be different each time- you just have to be creative! The kids I work with who can't read love that they can still "read" the book to me and tell me the story, and we use it to work on vocabulary, making inferences, describing, etc. I just love the art- it looks computer generated but it's actually not.
4 people found this helpful
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Emily J. Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Somehow darling and exciting at the same time
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
I love reading, so some might find it strange I get so much pleasure out of wordless picture books. But I figure it only pays homage to the illustrator to conduct a great story without writing a word. David Wiesner has done it, and Thomson can certainly spin a yarn as well. Here is the magical adventure of some children who find some mysterious chalk and, in the way of kids, don't question the origin but set to drawing... only to run into trouble as the drawings come to life. The illustrations burst with color and the expressions are note-perfect. The pace of the wordless story? Perfect and will keep kids eagerly turning the pages. Wonderful book.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Angela
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic wordless book!
Reviewed in Canada on June 14, 2021
Verified Purchase
One of the best wordless books for young kids grades K and beyond! Easy to follow and infer from, great big pictures to look for clues, and a fun story that can be followed up with a chalk activity! A must have!
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JJ
5.0 out of 5 stars livre
Reviewed in France on March 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
Je suis contente car ce livre n'existe plus en français mais comme c'est un livre sans texte, seul le titre est à changer
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Javier Mancebo
4.0 out of 5 stars Muy original
Reviewed in Spain on March 9, 2015
Verified Purchase
El dibujo es alucinante, tanto que me imagino que hay más ordenador que acuarela. La historia es corta pero muy original. No tiene texto, pero quizás viene bien que los niños aprendan a interpretar una historia sin texto. Me ha gustado.
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coop
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent wordless text
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2013
Verified Purchase
Wonderful story - fuels the imagination :)
My children and I love it!

An excellent picture story book - probably ideal for 5yrs +
One person found this helpful
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Elsh21
3.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic pictures, very short
Reviewed in Australia on August 6, 2014
Verified Purchase
Fantastic pictures, very short. Not a good reader for kids to learn on but it does allow room for kids to imagine.
One person found this helpful
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