Also Available from APH!
More accessible books for children and information for parents on developing early literacy skills
APH sells a variety of books created especially for young children with visual impairments. These feature touchable (tactile) illustrations and both braille and large print text.
Visit the APH online shopping site to learn about:
On the Way to Literacy Storybooks —tactile illustrated books for children 3 to 5 years of age, featuring real objects, textures, molded images, and raised outline images as illustration; books are also colorful for a child with some vision or typical vision.
Moving Ahead Tactile Storybooks —tactile illustrated books for children 4 to 7 years of age, featuring raised line drawings and symbols to represent story characters and events.
Most books include a storyboard with hook/loop material attachments for the story characters.
Alphabet Scramble—an alphabet book for braille readers, with colorful pages and large print letters for other readers; lines of repeating letters to feel across the page with a rhyme for each—for children 4 to 7 years of age.
APH also offers materials for parents to help them support their child’s learning:
On the Way to Literacy: Early Experiences for Children with Visual Impairments—a handbook giving parents and teachers information they need to support their child, from birth, in developing the skills he/she will need for literacy. Early communication and language, concept development, learning through touch, experiences with books and writing, and bridging into reading are discussed. Suggestions for selecting appropriate books and how to read aloud are provided.
Discovering the Magic of Reading: Elizabeth’s Story—a DVD that explores sharing books with a young child with a visual impairment, from birth through the preschool years. Reading aloud and sharing various types of books are shown. There is a demonstration of how to use a story box.
Teaching Touch—a guide for parents and teachers giving insight into the needs of young tactile learners. This guide helps parents or teachers encourage young children (ages 4-7) who are blind to become active explorers and readers of tactile graphics.
VIPS Video Library—from Visually Impaired Preschool Services, a series on DVDs for parents of young children who are visually impaired. These videos offer practical and proven techniques that foster the development of children who are visually impaired and blind, geared to parents and educators. Of special importance for developing literacy, the series includes these titles: Learning About the World: Concept Development, Hands-On Experience: Tactual Learning and Skills, and Power at Your Fingertips: An Introduction to Learning Braille.
Rolling Into Place—interactive storybook has a hook/loop material ball that rolls along a path and hook/loop material attachments.
Best for a Nest—tactile illustrated book featuring small textured symbols for story characters, colorful raised line drawings, and a storyboard with hook/loop material attachments.