ReadBooks! is a national
children's braille literacy program to encourage families with blind children to read print/braille
books together.
- To foster a love of books and reading at an early age;
- To expose parents of preschool blind children to braille as an effective method of reading and writing;
- To encourage parents to learn just enough braille to help their child;
- To introduce visually impaired children to a means of reading independently;
- To prepare parents to advocate for braille instruction when their blind child enters school;
- To promote an early expectation of personal achievement through literacy.
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 country. The distribution process is a collaborative effort with educators and
early intervention professionals.
Each bag contains:
- 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 colorful print/braille place mat;
- Print/braille bookmarks;
- Because Books Matter, a guide for parents on why and how to read books with their young blind child;
- A gift coupon redeemable for another print/braille book or braille/large print playing cards;
- Print/braille magnetic letters.
Participants in the program agree to:
- Identify children who are potential braille readers, birth to seven, and their families;
- Personally deliver the book bags or supply us with the mailing address for identified families in their state;
- Help us to evaluate and improve the program.
Substantial grants from Reader's Digest Partners for Sight Foundation, Mellon Charitable Giving Program/Alice P. Chase Trust, and others
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 7,200 families in identified states across the country.
Honorary Co-Chairs
Mrs. Laura Bush Mr. Marc Brown
"She absolutely loves her book! The first day we received the book, she
had me read it to her, literally, about ten times. She ran her fingers across the braille and looked at the
big, bright pictures. It has become one of her favorite books."
