What do you think?
Rate this book
Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book
(Sports humor) Two gophers feel the joy—and trials—of golfing (thanks to other critters). Children can find and name animals as they describe the action on the golf green.“Hilarious.… Make up a fun story to tell…with the very cute illustrations…. Young children will really love this book.” – Sonja Nishimoto for Sunnie Reviews. Kids cement extant vocabulary telling or writing what’s in the pictures—which can prompt the learning of new words. A colorful picture book for beginning readers (ages 2 – 6/preschool – first grade, Emergent Reader/Fountas & A, 1).Watch for the squirrel! Get number 3 in the Stories Without Words series (stand alone; previous titles not needed) by best-selling, award-winning author and college media instructor Karl Beckstrand ( How We Get Food from Our Garden—see all of Beckstrand’s 60+ multicultural books); Illustrated by Jordan C. Brun.The perfect length book for kids (not too long for adults): 30 full-color illustrations. Other wordless Polar Bear A Story Without Words, Butterfly A Book Without words. 8.5″x8.5″ hard/soft cover children’s activity book, also an ebook; Premio Publishing & Gozo Books (worldwide rights © Feb. 2021). More inside images/video book PremioBooks, libraries, and all major distributors. JUV032190, JUV009080, JUV002160, JUV019000, SPO016000, HUM001000, JUV054000, JUV010000, JNF003160, JNF003140; 2020952133; Hard 978-1951599096, 978-1951599102, 978-1005586782
- GenresChildrens
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2021
About the author
Karl Beckstrand
71 books365 followersKarl Beckstrand is the bestselling author-illustrator of 50+ cross-cultural children's and young adult books published through Premio Publishing and its KidsWorldBooks imprint (est. 2004, St. George, Utah). His titles have been reviewed by Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal, and adopted by the Library of Congress, the USDA (via Virginia Tech), and the State of Vermont for primary school curriculum. He has won the 2025 Global Book Award for Nonfiction (Abundant Paths), the 2016 International Book Award for Fiction (To Swallow the Earth: A Western Thriller), and the 2014 UP Author's Design Award (Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story). His biography Agnes's Rescue: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl is tied to the 2011 film 17 Miracles.
Raised in San Jose, California, Beckstrand earned a B.A. in Journalism from Brigham Young University, an M.A. in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from American Public University, and a film and broadcast certificate from the Film A Academy. He taught college media for eleven years and English to immigrants in North and South America. Before founding Premio, he was a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley, a Stanford Hospital chaplain, a Spanish interpreter for Angel Flight (aviator nonprofit), and a rock band front man. He consults in English and Spanish on publishing and cross-cultural education.
Raised in San Jose, California, Beckstrand earned a B.A. in Journalism from Brigham Young University, an M.A. in International Relations and Conflict Resolution from American Public University, and a film and broadcast certificate from the Film A Academy. He taught college media for eleven years and English to immigrants in North and South America. Before founding Premio, he was a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley, a Stanford Hospital chaplain, a Spanish interpreter for Angel Flight (aviator nonprofit), and a rock band front man. He consults in English and Spanish on publishing and cross-cultural education.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 6, 2021
3.5★
“A wordless picture book.”
This is a great idea for stimulating children’s imaginations. I imagine I’d give it to kids to go through on their own and then maybe start from the beginning and look at it with them. I’ll include a handful of illustrations in the order they appear in the book, so you can get an idea of the flow.
We see a bird intercept a ball and place it in a nest full of eggs.
We see the gophers up in the tree, hitting the ball from the nest (with eggs at risk). I’ve never seen a gopher up a tree that I know of, but that alone could spark a conversation.
Later, a ball seems to land in a tree where there is a squirrel (I *think* it is a squirrel). A gopher lines up on an acorn instead of a ball, as the two of them kill themselves with laughter.
The book does show where their ball went.
The squirrel with cheeks full of nuts and a golf ball
It also shows their acorn shot landing in a nearby pond.
There is a lot of laughter and humour in this, and I think kids would have fun making up a story and adding dialogue no matter what language they speak or are learning as a second language. This sort of picture book can help them develop vocabulary. Personally, I'd prefer another style of illustration, but that's just me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social for the preview copy.
“A wordless picture book.”
This is a great idea for stimulating children’s imaginations. I imagine I’d give it to kids to go through on their own and then maybe start from the beginning and look at it with them. I’ll include a handful of illustrations in the order they appear in the book, so you can get an idea of the flow.
We see a bird intercept a ball and place it in a nest full of eggs.
We see the gophers up in the tree, hitting the ball from the nest (with eggs at risk). I’ve never seen a gopher up a tree that I know of, but that alone could spark a conversation.
Later, a ball seems to land in a tree where there is a squirrel (I *think* it is a squirrel). A gopher lines up on an acorn instead of a ball, as the two of them kill themselves with laughter.
The book does show where their ball went.
The squirrel with cheeks full of nuts and a golf ball
It also shows their acorn shot landing in a nearby pond.
There is a lot of laughter and humour in this, and I think kids would have fun making up a story and adding dialogue no matter what language they speak or are learning as a second language. This sort of picture book can help them develop vocabulary. Personally, I'd prefer another style of illustration, but that's just me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Books Go Social for the preview copy.
January 24, 2021
Gopher Golf is a wordless children's picture book about two gophers playing golf, the places they visit, and the friends they meet. The object of the book is for youngsters to make up their own stories based upon the pictures in the book.
I actually like the concept of this book a lot as a have a five year old grandson who loves to make up stories. The illustrations are well done and would lend well to young imaginations.
I received a free copy of this book from BooksGoSocial via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
I actually like the concept of this book a lot as a have a five year old grandson who loves to make up stories. The illustrations are well done and would lend well to young imaginations.
I received a free copy of this book from BooksGoSocial via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.
January 26, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised on how much I enjoyed this wordless picture book. The expressions of the illustrations are engaging and funny. Reading with your children will bring out their imagination and encourage your children to think for themselves. Highly recommend.
A Special thank you to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
A Special thank you to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
January 22, 2021
This is a fun book for kids. It's hilarious, even though there are no words. You totally can see what the mischievous gophers are up to. Children and parents, both, can make up a fun story to tell along with the very cute illustrations. The illustrations, themselves, tell a very cute and fun story. Young children will really love this book.
I received a free ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
I received a free ebook copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.
February 10, 2021
We enjoyed this one! A lovely picture book that tells a fun, delightful story with no words whatsoever. Lovely illustrations that have plenty of personality make it easy to work out just what's going on, and we had smiles on our faces as we followed (and told, in our own heads and to each other, rather than reading from the page) the adventures of a couple of playful gophers.
October 11, 2022
Yes, it shows a story without words
Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book is a book without words. The illustrations are enough to show the story. Each page is fun. I read this on the kindle app on my computer, and as I scrolled through the pages, it was like those old animations, where you flip pages to make it move. I really loved the illustrations and I knew what the story was about. Gopher Golf. What you see is what you get, and I think children would just love looking at the pictures, and maybe flip them a bit faster to see the Gopher play golf. It's fun, entertaining, and something that kids would just love to look at. Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book is a book without words. The illustrations are enough to show the story. Each page is fun. I read this on the kindle app on my computer, and as I scrolled through the pages, it was like those old animations, where you flip pages to make it move. I really loved the illustrations and I knew what the story was about. Gopher Golf. What you see is what you get, and I think children would just love looking at the pictures, and maybe flip them a bit faster to see the Gopher play golf. It's fun, entertaining, and something that kids would just love to look at. Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews.
February 12, 2021
Gopher Golf by Karl Beckstrand and Jordan C Brun – A Whimsical Wordless Conversation Starter for Kids and Parents
“Gopher Golf” is a picture book that tells a delightfully whimsical story with no words. The pictures are full color and the art is well done. The story flows well from page to page and you are never left wondering what is going on. This is a delightful conversation starter to use for parents and children. Questions like, “How did he feel?”, “Where did the ball go?”, and “How did that little animal get his paws on a golf club?” are wonderful ways to get children talking.
Disclaimer, I got a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
“Gopher Golf” is a picture book that tells a delightfully whimsical story with no words. The pictures are full color and the art is well done. The story flows well from page to page and you are never left wondering what is going on. This is a delightful conversation starter to use for parents and children. Questions like, “How did he feel?”, “Where did the ball go?”, and “How did that little animal get his paws on a golf club?” are wonderful ways to get children talking.
Disclaimer, I got a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2021
Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 5th February 2021 – publication day!
I read this book with my three-year-old daughter and she really enjoyed it and as a mum I thought it was great in that she was able to make up her own story and use her imagination – that for me was a massive plus with the book!
We have read it a few times now and been able to create different stories each time we have read it and it has allowed her creative side to shine.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, a great concept and well executed – very highly recommended!
I read this book with my three-year-old daughter and she really enjoyed it and as a mum I thought it was great in that she was able to make up her own story and use her imagination – that for me was a massive plus with the book!
We have read it a few times now and been able to create different stories each time we have read it and it has allowed her creative side to shine.
It is 5 stars from me for this one, a great concept and well executed – very highly recommended!
February 9, 2021
This was so cute and it made me giggle. The pictures were simple and told the story well. I like that it showed kids that you can communicate in other ways besides using words. I also loved that this easily allows children to tell their own story to go along with the illustrations. Each kid can take their turn with the book and get something a little different each time. This is excellent to foster creativity. I loved it!
Thank you Met Galley and the publisher for this digital ARC for my honest review.
#GopherGolf #NetGalley
Thank you Met Galley and the publisher for this digital ARC for my honest review.
#GopherGolf #NetGalley
February 18, 2021
Fun With the Golphers
I absolutely adored this book. The animal's facial expressions are made so well that the child will have no problem making up his own personal story, no matter the age. To make it perfect with two or more children. You can let each child make the story his or hers for the next page. It must make sense in the story. What fun you will have.
You can challenge your older children to write a story for this book. During this time of home schooling you can use this book again.
I absolutely adored this book. The animal's facial expressions are made so well that the child will have no problem making up his own personal story, no matter the age. To make it perfect with two or more children. You can let each child make the story his or hers for the next page. It must make sense in the story. What fun you will have.
You can challenge your older children to write a story for this book. During this time of home schooling you can use this book again.
January 31, 2021
What an interesting concept!
My son (aged 3) and I enjoyed this book immensely.
We read it together, I read it to him and he read it to me. With a different story each time!
An excellent book to expand children's vocabulary through discussion (and sometimes debate!) around what is happening in each picture. With no set 'rules' we had a range of thoughts and emotions from the Gopher, with many diverging plotlines and funny moments.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc.
My son (aged 3) and I enjoyed this book immensely.
We read it together, I read it to him and he read it to me. With a different story each time!
An excellent book to expand children's vocabulary through discussion (and sometimes debate!) around what is happening in each picture. With no set 'rules' we had a range of thoughts and emotions from the Gopher, with many diverging plotlines and funny moments.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc.
February 5, 2021
Get ready to laugh!
Gopher Golf takes readers on a wild adventure as two gophers get up to all sorts of mischief while playing golf. This wordless picture book speaks volumes with its engaging illustrations and it stirs the imaginations of readers. It is perfect for classrooms, giving teachers the flexibility to use the book as a springboard for lessons across the curriculum.
A Special thank you to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the ARC.
Gopher Golf takes readers on a wild adventure as two gophers get up to all sorts of mischief while playing golf. This wordless picture book speaks volumes with its engaging illustrations and it stirs the imaginations of readers. It is perfect for classrooms, giving teachers the flexibility to use the book as a springboard for lessons across the curriculum.
A Special thank you to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley for the ARC.
February 16, 2021
A wordless picture book that follows a gopher on the golf course. Simple but expressive illustrations with no text permit the young reader to imagine what it being said.
This is a perfect book for preschoolers and kindergarten children who love to make up their own stories. Parents and teachers can also prompt young minds to create and imagine by asking the appropriate who, what, when, and why, questions as they move from picture to picture.
This is a perfect book for preschoolers and kindergarten children who love to make up their own stories. Parents and teachers can also prompt young minds to create and imagine by asking the appropriate who, what, when, and why, questions as they move from picture to picture.
February 12, 2021
A story without words. The saying says “An image is worth a thousand words” and this book shows it is very true.
A good example to teach children about sharing and friendship.
The illustrations are very beautiful and colourful. They are very clear and you can see what happens very easily.
I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
A good example to teach children about sharing and friendship.
The illustrations are very beautiful and colourful. They are very clear and you can see what happens very easily.
I received a copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 26, 2021
I have not “read” a wordless picture book in quite some time. Gopher Golf is a funny tale with cute illustrations that should lend itself to imaginative storytelling.
February 16, 2021
A very cute and beautifully illustrated "story" book that non reading children can look at the pictures and read their own story. It is adorable. I chuckled at stories that I could only imagine toddlers telling.
February 6, 2021
This is a delightful picture book. Two gophers decide to go golfing and much excitement ensues.
The pictures are so much fun and wonderfully drawn, showing so much expression on the gophers and other characters' faces. You cannot help but smile on the very first page. Even without telling a story aloud, there is so much story here. But my kids had a ton of fun coming up with a story to go along with the pictures, getting so creative.
This book will have your kids using their imagination and building their storytelling skills in no time. I highly recommend this fun book!
The pictures are so much fun and wonderfully drawn, showing so much expression on the gophers and other characters' faces. You cannot help but smile on the very first page. Even without telling a story aloud, there is so much story here. But my kids had a ton of fun coming up with a story to go along with the pictures, getting so creative.
This book will have your kids using their imagination and building their storytelling skills in no time. I highly recommend this fun book!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews