ReadBooks! is a national
children's braille literacy program to encourage families with blind children to read print/braille
books together.
National Braille Press, along with Seedlings Braille Books for Children, is
distributing attractive braille book bags to families with blind and visually impaired children, ages birth
to seven, across the U.S. and Canada. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and
early intervention professionals.
A link to your child's future (watch video)
- To foster a love of books and reading at an early age;
- To support families of preschool blind children and help them spread the word that braille is an effective method of reading and writing;
- To introduce visually impaired children to a means of reading independently;
- To help parents learn "just enough" braille to assist their child as they grow;
- To give parents the knowledge and language they need to advocate for braille instruction when their blind child enters school;
- To promote an early expectation of personal achievement through literacy.
- An age-appropriate print/braille book for three age groups: birth-3, 4-5, and 6-7 in English or Spanish;
- A braille primer for sighted parents entitled Just Enough to Know Better;
- A tactile ball (red bags only);
- Print/braille bookmark;
- Print/braille alphabet card;
- Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;
- Because Pictures Matter, a guide for parents on the importance of tactile pictures for their blind child;
- A tactile maze or flag;
- Wikki Stix, a product that allows a child to make tactile pictures (blue or green bags only);
- A gift coupon redeemable for another print/braille book or braille/large print playing cards;
- Print/braille magnetic letters or numbers (blue or green bags only);
- A Braille Caravan block;
- A description of the program on DVD.
Anyone who knows, works with, or cares for a blind child, aged birth to seven, can participate in the program.
Parents or caregivers can find more information here.
Teachers or agency professionals can find more information here.
Substantial grants from Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, BNY Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Alice P. Chase Trust, Edith Glick Shoolman Foundation, May & Stanley Smith Trust, Delta Gamma Foundation, Moses Kimball Fund, Harold C. Schott Foundation, Innovating Worthy Projects Foundation, and John W. Alden Trust enable us to produce and distribute these book bags at no cost to the families or to the participating professionals. Currently, funds support the distribution of bags to over 10,000 families in identified states across the country.
We received a braille book bag a little over a year ago when I found the program. I thought it was WONDERFUL. It was nice to feel so empowered to be able to get some introductory materials myself and begin my own education process as well as my daughter's. We love books and reading so it was a wonderful addition to our collection.
