The Contemporary Russian Silent Book in the System of Artistic and Educational Practices

The article examines the phenomenon of the “silent book” — a format in which the narrative is conveyed exclusively through images, without text. Using the works of Russian illustrators from the early 21st century (I. Oleinikov, O. Fadeyeva, M. Shebeko, participants of the Silent Book Contest) as examples, the study analyses the genre’s key features: visual narrative, interactivity, the ability to overcome language barriers, and the capacity to engage the readers in creating their own interpretation of the story. The relevance of the research stems from the growing popularity of this format in today’s visual-oriented society. The development of the silent book in Russia and its role in fostering a culture of “slow reading” are also explored.
The study demonstrates that the silent book is becoming an important tool for multicultural communication and a new format of the author’s book, where the illustrator acts as the full-
fledged author of the narrative. There is also a noted increase in interest in the genre among illustrators, readers, and publishing houses.

silent book, book graphics, children’s book, illustration, book design, modern book for children, children’s literature