Recommended Readings for Children

Some of the following list of books has everyday characters that just happen to be blind. Some express few stereotypical images of blindness such as counting steps or fence posts. But mostly, they demonstrate individuals who are blind doing things everyone else can do such as feeding, grooming, and riding a horse around the countryside. They also demonstrate how the other senses provide information to the character. Some books don’t reveal until the end that the main character is blind.

LOUIS BRAILLE: The Blind Boy Who Wanted to Read, by Dennis B. Fradin

MANDY SUE DAY, by Roberta Karim

MY FAVORITE PLACE, by Susan Sargent & Donna Wirt

THE NIGHT SEARCH, by Kate Chamberlin

THE SEEING STICK, by Jane Yolen

THE TRUE STORY OF OWIN M., by Merry-Noel Chamberlain, NOMCT

The following books are available through Quota Funds. Ask your child’s Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments if you may borrow it. These books may also be purchase through the American Printing House for the Blind at www.aph.org.

GOIN’ ON A BEAR HUNT, retold by Suzette Wright

SPLISH THE FISH, by Suzette Wright

LOUIS BRAILLE: The Blind Boy Who Wanted to Read

Author: Dennis B. Fradin

Illustrator: Rob Sauber

Publisher: Silver Burdett Pr (February 1997)
ISBN-10: 0382394682
ISBN-13: 978-0382394683

This is a nice book to read for all ages. Although this book focuses on Louis Braille, who invented Braille at age 15, there is mention about ‘counting steps’ from one location to another. This would bring about a great conversation as to why counting steps is not always practical. In addition, at a young age, Louis’ used a stick to maneuver about. There is also discussion in the book regarding auditory and olfactory clues.

MANDY SUE DAY

Author: Roberta Karim
Illustrator: Karen Ritz

Publisher: Sandpiper (June 15, 2003)
ISBN-10: 0618316752
ISBN-13: 978-0618316755

This book allows the reader to follow Mandy Sue throughout ‘her’ day. It does demonstrate how she maneuvers about her own yard without using a long white cane – counting fence posts. A great discussion following this reading may focus on how one does not need a long white cane while traveling on their own property but may feel a long white cane is needed while traveling in particular situations.

MY FAVORITE PLACE

Author: Susan Sargent & Donna Wirt

Publisher: Abingdon Pr (August 1983)
ISBN-10: 0687275385
ISBN-13: 978-0687275380

This book may be difficult to locate but worth it. It is about a young girl who is blind who does not travel independently. It focuses a lot on auditory and olfactory clues. It can bring about a great discussion as to the many opportunities a long, white cane can offer this little girl. I.E. if she had a long white cane, she could walk around independently.

THE NIGHT SEARCH

Author: Kate Chamberlin
Illustrator: Dot Yoder

Publisher: Jason & Nordic Pub (January 1997)
ISBN-10: 0944727328
ISBN-13: 978-0944727324

At the beginning of this story, the character does not want to use her long, white cane. However, as she experiences a situation where using a long, white cane would benefit her she comes to change her opinion. Check vocabulary.

THE SEEING STICK

Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: Daniela Terrazzini

Publisher: Running Press Kids; Reprint edition (1977 and 2009)
ISBN-10: 0762420480
ISBN-13: 978-0762420483

This book has an older man travel across the land to help a princess who is blind. As he does so, he carves pictures in a walking stick. When he arrives, he shows the stick to the young princess. Using her fingers, she is able to ‘see’ his travel adventure. It isn’t until the end that the reader discovers the older man is also blind. A great discussion as to how the walking stick was his long, white cane.

THE TRUE STORY OF OWIN M.

Author: Merry-Noel Chamberlain, NOMCT
Illustrator: Ashley Roth

The True Story of Owin M., by Merry-Noel Chamberlain, MA, NOMCT, TVI. is about a young boy who happens to be blind and wishes to educate the reader in the skills necessary in order to travel independently using the long, white cane. It is intended for individuals of all ages with visual impairments who want to learn more about Orientation and Mobility (O&M). This book will capture the reader’s interest in learning techniques that will enhance their O&M skills. The True Story of Owin M. is not only to educate the cane user but also to provide information to parents, guardians, classroom teachers, and anyone else interested in learning more about O&M so they can offer support and guidance to those with visual impairments. Also included is Flowers’ Blooming; an educational play, by Merry-Noel Chamberlain.

Proceeds for the sale of this book go to the National Organization of Parents of Blind Children (NOPBC). http://www.nfb.org/nfb/About_NOPBC.asp?SnID=1074503887

You may purchase the True Story of Owin M. for $15 in electronic, accessible PDF, in standard, or large print. Click this link to order your copy.

G Goin' on a Bear Hunt OIN’ ON A BEAR HUNT, retold by Suzette Wright

Author: Retold by Suzette Wright
Illustrator: Suzette Wright.
Publisher: American Printing House for the Blind

This book is great for discussion as to traveling over, around, through…. It also discusses auditory sounds. The long white cane is not discussed, nor is the character blind. This book is available through Quota Funds. Ask your child’s Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments if you may borrow it. This book may also be purchase through the American Printing House for the Blind at www.aph.org.

SPLISH THE FISH

Author: Suzette Wright
Illustrator: Suzette Wright
Publisher: American Printing House for the Blind

This book is great for discussion as to over, beside, under, next to… The long white cane is not discussed, or is the character blind. This book is available through Quota Funds. Ask your child’s Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments if you may borrow it. This book may also be purchase through the American Printing House for the Blind at www.aph.org.