If You Run Out of Words: A Picture Book

by Felicita Sala

In this imaginative bedtime adventure from award-winning artist Felicita Sala, a father reassures his daughter of the fantastical lengths he’d go to in order to show his love

What happens if you run out of words?
Will you have any left for me?

Don’t be silly!
I could NEVER run out of words!

But what if you DO?

Seeking reassurance of her father’s attention, a young girl peppers her dad with elaborate, anxious what-ifs. Dad soothes each worry with the perfect if he ever ran out of words, he’d visit the Elves’ Word Factory so that he never runs out again, of course! Even if it means having to brave the darkest woods, escape pirates, or even fly a rocket ship back home, there’s nothing that could ever come between them—and there aren’t enough words to describe how much he loves her.

Imaginative, humorous, and heartfelt, this new classic from internationally celebrated creator Felicita Sala is a whimsical ode to a parent’s boundless love for their child.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Adventure, Fantasy, Family, Fiction, Love

48 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2024

About the author

Felicita is a self taught illustrator. She graduated in Philosophy from the University of Western Australia. She has worked on several animation projects along with husband Gianluca, but her passion is making picture books. She lives in Rome with Gianluca and their daughter Nina.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful and relatable when you have a little one that is in that "what if" phase. My little and I had a great time reading this one.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl watches her father busily talking and texting to other people and she wonders what would happen if he ran out of words. "Will you have any left for me?" He is obviously guilt ridden and reassures her that it would never happen. "But what if you DO?" He tells her a comforting story of the lengths he would go to be with her. I especially love the double page spread of the Elves' Word Factory. Reminiscent of the Margaret Wise Brown's The Runaway Bunny, this is an enchanting parent - child story. A truly magical picture book to share on Father's Day!

"'What if the journey takes so long that you forget about me?'

'I could never forget about you!'"

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe I've become a sap now that I have my own little kiddo, but this book made me feel a bit smooshy. A little girl asks her father what would happen if he used up all his words on social media instead of speaking to her, and his answers are both whimsical and tender. The art is super cute as well, especially the illustrations of the hilarious poses by the little girl while she chats to her dad in bed.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Sala's illustrations and this is a sweet story about a child and father and all the "what if" questions kids ask -which ultimately leads to "I love you".

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se você ficar sem palavras (São Paulo: VR, 2024)

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a darling What If? book! Sala brings us a modern Runaway Bunny that considers a dad giving so many of his words to others, and his daughter wondering if he’ll have any left for her. The ensuing adventure is creative and impossible, but a little magical. The illustrations have tons of fun details, little things for children to scour over as they read and re-read this clever tale. There are so few books with a sole father as the bedtime figure. Fills a fun spot in children’s literature.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As she gets ready for bed, a little girl asks her Dad lots of questions, the first of which is, “What happens if you run out of words?” Dad, who is furiously typing on his phone, stops to answer his daughter’s question: He’d go to the “Elves Word Factory” underground, and he’d buy an infinity bottle, so he’d never run out. Dad’s answers to his daughter’s questions get more and more fantastical. After the word factory, he builds a rocket, goes to the bottom of the sea, and escapes from mouse pirates. Finally, Dad tells the little girl that he won’t ever run out of words for her, “especially not these three…” – and then he whispers lovingly into her ear as she falls asleep.

What a wonderful flight of imagination – kind of the opposite to Margaret Wise Brown’s The Runaway Bunny, where the child runs away from the mother. Here, the father, is always finding a way back to his child. I love the counterpoint of the huge hulking olive-skinned father with tiny feet in little red slippers, to his tiny little girl, in a different funny slouch on each spread (The slouches are displayed on the front endpapers and they are priceless.) The girl is on her bed on the left side of the spread, and the fanciful world of her father’s imaginary adventures on the right. Sala’s artwork, in gouache, ink watercolor, colored pencils and oil pastels, is just fabulous. Every character is unique and fascinating: the cute little elves in the word factory, a giant owl that picks her dad up and deposits him on the moon, funny, odd beings who are “the smartest scientists in the universe,” the pirate mice. I loved the little nods to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland when Dad drinks a shrinking potion, and Popeye, when he downs a can of spinach to become the strongest man in the world. This book is a treasure to read at bedtime or any time.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been many years since I had small kids at the "what if" stage, but this sweet book brought the experience back in a rush.

A young girl watches her mustachioed dad talk: to a friend at the market, on the phone while cooking and texting while his daughter put on her PJ's. He is visibly stricken when she plaintively asks, "What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?"

And this launches a delightful imaginative series of reassurances where every playful answer is met by a wilder question. Dad's wonderfully silly responses are expanded in Sala's intricately detailed illustrations. Using gouache, ink, watercolors, colored pencils and pastels, Sala spins out the fun in pages kids will love to explore. The stories are extravagant but the father's love for his child radiates from the tale. All the while they play this what if game, the little girl is wiggling through the gymnastic movements on the bed so funny and so authentic, parents will laugh and tear up too.

The father's ultimate reassurance is the whispered three words treasure by all kids that close out the book.

This is a perfect bedtime story and one that kids and their parents will reach for again and again. A must purchase!

[Jared White · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this once and looking through it a couple of more times, I'm going to go ahead and give this one 5 stars. :)

I love the exchange between the father and child and the setup of that exchange. Through the first few pages, we see that the father only has words for others, so when their child asks them at bedtime, "What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?" the father realizes what they've been doing, puts their phone away, and takes their child on an adventure of reassurance. The questions by the child and the answers by the father are absurd, whimsical, and fun and the illustrations fit perfectly. Also, I love the little collections of items on the bedside table at the end of the book that hint that all of the wild adventures actually happened (or maybe were inspired by things in the room?).

[Allie Maziarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book because it was hard to follow along with the story. The girl starts by asking her Dad the simple questions of “What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?” and then this turns into a book of “what-ifs”. The what-if’s take the dad all over the place from going to an elf factory, building a rocket, and being held as a prisoner. The illustrations are beautiful but the overall story line jumps from scenario to scenario quickly! If I were to use this in book in a classroom it would be as a read-aloud where we could have a discussion afterwards talking about how “what if” questions can lead to never ending conversations! On a positive note we could also discuss how people who love us will always have a plan to get back to us, just how the dad in the story would find any way back to his daughter who he loves.

[Ileana (The Tiniest Book Club) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gute-Nacht-Geschichten gibt es viele auf dem Bilderbuchmarkt. Diese hier ist wundervoll bebildert von der in Australien lebenden italienischen Illustratorin und Autorin Felicita Sala und erzählt eine liebevolle Geschichte, richtig cozy und herzerwärmend.

Wir sehen einen vielbeschäftigten Papa (of Color <3), der einkauft, dabei einen Plausch hält, telefonierend Abendessen kocht und auf dem Handy herumdaddelt, während sein Sprössling bereits genervt an der Schürze zieht. „Was ist, wenn du mal keine Wörter mehr hast? Sind dann für mich noch welche übrig?“ Der Papa findet eine fantasievolle Antwort auf diese Frage und alle folgenden und beweist damit nicht nur, dass er ein begnadeter Geschichtenerzähler ist, sondern auch die zärtliche und unerschöpfliche Liebe, die er für sein Kind empfindet.

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

         I love this sweet book. It starts simply, with a distracted, texting parent and a child looking for attention. I love that the Dad realizes his error and instead of becoming irritated by being caught (or the constant "but what if..."), he makes up for not being present but spinning a tale of how he could never run out of words for his child. The illustrations are spot on with each fantastical addition to the tale and also in the ridiculous positions the child takes as they listen to the story. A great little book on how to be present when you can as kids can be very forgiving with a little magic and love.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

whimsical and sweet and absolutely lovely; I really love how the story closes--and it works, because she's hooked and invested the listener/reader from the jump.

Running out of words means running out of time and energy, will there be any left over for the child who desires their share of it? Just how interested is said parent in demonstrating their desire to spend time/attention on their child? No distraction is going to get in the way of this parent becoming present.

The story is beautifully illustrated (of course); is entertaining; and it resonates.

Just Because by Mac Barnett + Isabelle Arsenault came to mind.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a girl and her questions before bed. One question leads to another question. I remember the constant questions kids had. For my two niblings, some of their questions were stall tactics to stay up later. They still have stall tactics to keep from going to bed, but they are more elaborate now.

This girl asks her dad, "What would happen if you run out of words?" That starts this long bout of imagination. One wild question leads to the next wild set up. The father/daughter duo are in the land of imagination and play.

The artwork was just not for me. It was fun, but not my sort of messy.

[Andreia Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que livro tão giro para a fase do ''e se'' dos mais pequenos.
Nesta história em especial, uma menina ao ver o pai a falar ao telefone e a trocar mensagens, fica preocupada que ele fique sem palavras. Através de umas quantas perguntas sobre as soluções que o pai teria para o caso de isso acontecer, a autora faz uma maravilhosa homenagem ao poder paternal!

Encontramos sempre forma de dar carinho e atenção a quem amamos. :)

Que história doce, subtil e encantadora.

É editado em Portugal pela Fábula, uma chancela da Penguin Random House, sob o título: ''Pai, e se ficares sem palavras?''

[John Mullarkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book that in some ways, is a sign of the times. While watching her dad texting away on his phone, a little girl asks him what would happen if he “runs out of words”? - would there be any words left for her? What follows is a fantastic and imaginary tale of all of the extreme lengths he would go to do anything for her - mostly “to be there. For her”. The wonderful illustrations go at length to tell the tale - all colorful, magical, and detailed, and very fun. The story is great to read one on one, or to share with a class. I am sure an audience of youngsters can relate to it!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts off with vibes of "My Parents Won't Stop Talking!" where a kid is being dragged around and their adult (a dad in this case) keeps talking to other adults (in person, on the phone, via text) instead of paying any attention to their kid. But this isn't a bad daddy, so when the child at bedtime asks if daddy will ever run out of words to talk to her/him, he realizes what the child is actually asking. So then the slides into the repetitive reassuring comfort strongly reminiscent of The Runaway Bunny where the parent will always make their way back to their child.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the beginning, the little girl is feeling ignored by her dad because he is talking to other people, on his phone, and texting, so she starts by asking what happens if he runs out of words and can't talk to her. This leads to more and more questions, and the dad is very patient and answers them all by stringing together an adventure story. The drawings weren't my favorite, and I was really annoyed by the girl's endless questions, but the dad put down his phone and paid attention to his child, so that was good.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readers are introduced to a young girl and her father. Children will recognize the frustration the child has when her father talks, talks and talks with other adults. One night she asks her father what he would do if he ran out of words for her. This begins a fantastical back and forth, cumulative tale of how the father would solve increasingly intricate problems. Readers will have no trouble guessing what the three words that father whispers to daughter at the end.

Highly enjoyable and recommended for storytime.

[Camille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the cutest, sweetest picture book I’ve read in a long time. Along the lines of Runaway Bunny, this book is about a father assuring his daughter that he’ll always be there for her.
I adore the hand drawn and painted illustrations and the different page layouts.
I would recommend this for a cozy lapsit storytime and pair it with What If by Samantha Berger and/or Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, but be prepared for the ending of LYF.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this imaginative story, a girl poses a series of questions to her distracted father, who must divert his attention from his cellphone to his daughter to answer each of her questions with fanciful responses. The surprise ending invites readers to share the three most important words of all before bedtime. Engaging illustrations delightfully depict Daddy’s epic adventures to bring back an endless supply of words for his beloved daughter.

[Dayanara Garza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet book about a young imaginative girl and her father. She asks a lot of "what if" questions and her father soothes all of her worries with very creative answers. I like how creative the father gets with his answers. This is perfect in an early childhood classroom because children love to asks many questions. You can also use this book for an interactive read aloud and ask children how they would respond to those questions.

[Emily Withers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this dad gives out of this world explanations to his daughter imaginative questions, the dad shows endless love for his daughter. Through a series of imaginative scenarios, including visiting the Elves' Word Factory, shrinking, becoming the world's strongest man and more, it highlights the father's deep commitment to his child. This is a fantastic story to reassure and connect with children and remind them love can be expressed beyond words.

[Nathália · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fofíssimo.

Gostei muito dos detalhes: a menina sendo querendo a atenção do pai distraído falando com outros, o vício no celular, a menina e o coelho fazendo poses na cama, as cores...

E embora seja sim possivel esquecer alguém, o pai falando com a filha da sentido e é só amor.

E adoro livro q termina com 3 palavras e adivinhe vc quais são, hahaha.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the images in this book. So colorful, and full of interesting little things in the pictures. I love that the dad is wearing yellow PJ's and red slippers that are so small. Kids ask so many questions, and many are of the What If type, and this book captures that so well. I love the ending too and the three words we all know are being whispered to the kid at bedtime. So cute!!

[Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our favorite picture book of the year, filled with wonder and imagination, and infinite words and ways to say I love you. My husband and I both separately bought Wallace this book for Christmas, which speaks to it's timely power for parents. Wallace was immediately transfixed. May we never run out of words (and picture books).

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young girl asks her pre-occupied phone parent a series of what-if questions to gain reassurance of his love and devotion.

"What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?"

The illustrations were done using guouache, ink, watercolor, colored pencils, and oil pastels.

[Daisy Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl observes her father actively talking and texting to other people and she wonders what would happen if he ran out of words. Great story for this day and age when we are so distracted with not only other people, but to our devices and gadgets. A truly magical picture book to share on Father's Day!
Paired with whimsical, sweet and vibrant illustrations.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, you know how kids always ask "Why" and expect an answer each time? Well, this book doesn't ask "Why," instead it asks"What if..."

It's super cute & a reminder that being "present parents" will calm your kid's worries and anxieties.

Many thanks Edlewiess & publisher for the arc

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bursting with imagination and a father's gentle indulgence, this is a sweet, charming story about when a child overflows with anxiety. Perfect pacing + fantastically funny illustrations = don't miss this one!