Braille Books from DK

Submitted by Charlotte Cushman on May 13, 2016

The DK Braille Series a set of 5 books for children who are blind or visually impaired, which were recently published by a division of Penguin Random Book. The aim was to produce a series of high-quality, custom books with braille and tactile images for children with visual impairments, or sighted children with blind parents.

Each of the books in the series combines images with high-contrast colors to maximize any sight that readers with low vision may have. The images in the books are embossed and printed text appears above braille on the page, allowing family members or friends to participate in a shared learning experience, whether they are sighted or visually impaired. All of the books are in UEB, uncontracted braille.

Titles in the DK Braille series:

Counting

Go on a counting adventure in the park and learn how to count all the way to ten in this board book. ($14.99; 9781465436139)

Shapes

Feel the difference between a circle and triangle as the rhyming story guides readers through the pages. ($14.99; 9781465436122)

On the Move

From submarines deep in the ocean to hot air balloons in the sky, this book covers all the exciting forms of travel. ($22.99; 9781465436108)

Animals

Take a walk on the wild side and learn fascinating facts about lions, elephants, koalas, and more. ($22.99; 9781465436115)

It Can’t Be True!

How big is the Sun? What is the smallest bird? Where is the tallest building? Find out the answers to these questions and more this book suitable for older children. ($29.99; 9781465444066)

Book Review by Braille Reader

We invited a young braille reader to review these books and his mother shares her feedback below. A young boy reads the shape book.

Liam's Review (written by his mother)

My son Liam is 6 years old (almost 7!) and he attends first grade in a mainstream classroom. He is a braille reader and he happens to be deafblind. His favorite things include books and all things braille so he was very excited to get his hands on the two new books.

Shape Book:

Pros:

My son loved the variety of shapes and textures mixed with the cut out shapes. He liked how the cutouts continued to other pages. He loved exploring this book. As a mother I appreciated a well--made book that both my boys could enjoy (I have a younger son that has typical vision and hearing). I appreciated the tactile detail that made the book very appealing to my son. There are not many books out there like that (and I would know! I usually end up having to make books for my son because there are not enough out there!) I also liked that it didn't look like a baby book.

Cons:

My only complaint is that the book was written in Grade 1 (uncontracted) braille. My son is learning to read using Grade 2 (contracted) braille, so he did not recognize quite a few of the words.
The braille "dots" could be raised a bit more. My son did not have any problem reading the braill, but my concern is that it may wear down quickly and it is not as easy to read as it could be.

Animal book:

Pros:

A young boy signs as he reads the book

What a fun and motivating book! I loved how it included a table of contents, labels, and other non-fiction conventions that would be included in books that his peers would be reading in class! Again, I liked that it would be a book that could be enjoyed by both of my boys. I loved how the graphics had a variety of textures, not JUST the outline of the shape. Liam especially loved the soft textures and the snake and the tiger's stripes! I really, really wish there were more "big boy" books out there like this! Nicely done! If you made more non-fiction books like this I would definitely purchase some and also encourage my son's school to do the same! Thank you for considering our children with vision impairments and making them quality motivating books!

LOVE IT!

Cons:

My only complaint is that the book is written in Grade 1 (uncontracted) Braille. My son is learning to read using Grade 2 (contracted), so he did not recognize quite a few of the words.
The braille dots could be raised a bit more. My son did not have any problem reading the braille, but my concern is that it may wear down quickly and is not as easy to read as it could be.

Readin Animal book cover A young boy reads the table of contents.