September, 2024
Dear teachers and parents of the visually impaired and school librarians,
Now in our 25th year as an organization dedicated to promoting braille literacy for blind children, Wisconsin Braille Inc. is very pleased to offer another new selection of free braille books, financially supported by the Glen Stacey Fund. Once again, this year's collection was well researched and includes recommended children's books not already available in braille after checking the Louis database at the National Library Service (www.loc.gov/nls).
Are you interested in books with a variety of age-appropriate story lines and delightful content that also teach early concepts and promote positive self-concept? If so, you will find books in this collection to match your interests. Books in this year's collection will be produced as print/braille with the exception of What Should Danny Do? On Vacation! which will be produced in braille only.
Teachers, please work with your school librarians to make them aware of our project and answer any questions they may have. Likewise, please alert the parents with whom you work about our project, especially those who do not have ready access to school libraries; this group may wll include the parents of preschool blind children.
You should receive your books in the spring of 2025. Many thanks for using our service!
Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld
Cori Doerrfeld is a New York Times bestselling author. In this stunning book, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves: Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things. It's when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements of nature, are more than they appear. Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath person who seems like they won't understand what you're feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way. This tender book celebrates our similarities, differences, and that there's always more under the surface of what we can see. Print/Braille Ages 4-8
The Digger and the Duckling by Joseph Kuefler
All the trucks enjoy their work until a tiny, yellow duckling appears on the scene! The duckling interrupts their hoisting, digging, and building, and every truck except the Digger wants the duckling gone. As time goes on, though, they all find ways to care for the duckling and therein become a family. This book is a great introduction to taking care of the environment. Print/Braille Ages 3-8
Finding Family: The Duckling Raised by Loons by Laura Purdue Salas
This is a true story: on a lake in northern Wisconsin in 2019, loon researchers were surprised to discover a mother and father loon caring for a mallard duckling. Normally loons and mallards live very different lives and do not get along. Follow along as the duckling grows and displays a mix of both loon behaviors and mallard behaviors. Intriguing verse and striking illustrations combine in this heartwarming tale of unexpected animal cooperation. Print/Braille Ages 5-10
From Here to There: A First Book of Maps by Vivian French
One day, Anna's friend Zane sends her an invitation to come over to play, and inside the envelope is a map. But Anna is convinced the map can't be right- why has Zane put his house in the middle and hers on the edge? So Anna decides to draw a map of her own, and Dad joins in as well. With an inviting narrative, and running commentary about various aspects of maps, aspiring cartographers are introduced to everything from symbols to point of view, road maps to family trees-and even a special "cat map" of Anna's pet's favorite spots. A final spread spurs readers to try their own hand at mapmaking. Print/Braille Ages 3-8
I'm Not Scared, You're Scared! by Seth Meyers
Bear is easily scared, but his friend, Rabbit, is determined to help Bear face his fears. When they go on an adventure together, not everything goes as planned. Bear is forced to find the bravery inside himself when Rabbit needs him the most. Equal parts hilarious and touching, this tale of adventure and bravery will both inspire the adventurous spirit in all of us and make us laugh along the way. Print/Braille Ages 3-8
Just Like Grandma by Kim Rogers
Becca loves spending time with Grandma. Every time Becca says, "Let me try," Grandma shows her how to make something beautiful. Whether they are beading moccasins, dancing like the most beautiful butterflies, or practicing basketball together, Becca knows that, more than anything, she wants to be just like Grandma. And as the two share their favorite activities, Becca discovers something surprising about Grandma. There is an author's note and a glossary in the back of the book. This book received the Charlotte Zolotow Award, an award which is given annually to the best picture book published in the U.S. Print/Braille Ages 4-8
More Than Words: So Many Ways to Say What We Mean by Roz MacLean
"Nathan doesn't say much. He sure has a lot on his mind, though." At school, Nathan quietly observes the ways his peers communicate. Even when they're not talking, they're expressing themselves in all sorts of ways! By witnessing the beauty of communication diversity, Nathan learns and shows his classmates the essential lesson: not only does everyone have something to say, but seeking to understand one another can be the greatest bridge to friendship and belonging. This tender book explores and celebrates the many forms of expression-signing, speaking, writing Braille, singing, smiling, among others-and culminates in a poignant story about connection and understanding. There is additional material at the end of the book with vocabulary, an introduction to various forms of communication, and information about communication access. Print/Braille Ages 4-8
Pig the Pug by Aaron Blakey
"Pig was a pug and I'm sorry to say, he was greedy and selfish in most every way..." so begins the book. Pig the Pug lives with Trevor the Dachshund, and like many siblings, Pig the Pug does not want to share. Join Pig as he learns to share - the hard way! Print/Braille Agent 2-5
Quiet as Mud by Jane Yolk
What do you hear when you are all by yourself? What do you hear when you listen to yourself? This book celebrates the beauty of being your authentic self and the peace of being with your thoughts. This is a gentle introduction to the concept of being an introvert, as well as an invitation for children and grown-up readers alike to observe and imagine their inner world and the world around them. Print/braille Ages 6-11
Sometimes I Cry by Jess Townes
This book deftly tackles the wide array of emotions experienced in childhood, and especially reminds the readers that there's nothing wrong with crying. There are all sorts of feelings that can make us cry - from disappointment to joy, from grief to love. Sometimes I Cry offers a gentle affirmation of the emotional complexity of growing up. Print/Braille Ages 4-8
Sometimes When I'm Worried by Deborah Serene
The girl in this book describes the many ways she feels and acts when she's worried: scared, nervous stomach, reluctant to try new things, etc. In each scenario, a supportive family member (she has two dads and a sister) acknowledges her concerns and suggests concrete coping mechanisms that help her feel better. A six-page "Guide for Caring Adults" offers information about anxiety in children from infants to school-age children and suggestions on ways to help. Print/Braille Ages 3-7
What Should Danny Do? On Vacation! by Ganit & Air Levy
Danny is a real-life superhero in training, learning about his most important super power of all: "THE POWER TO CHOOSE." Join Danny in his most fun adventure yet! In this book, YOU decide how Danny's vacation will end by making choices for him. You'll have a blast trying to reach all nine endings. Braille only Ages 8-11
When Lola Visits by Nichekke Sterling
For one young girl, summer is the season of no school, of days spent at the pool and of pickling golden limes off the trees. But summer doesn't start until her "lola", her grandmother from the Philippines, comes for her annual visit. Summer is special. For her, lola fills the house with the aromas of mango jam, cassava cake, freshly opened cans of tennis balls, gooey sunscreen lotion, trees, banana leaves and so much more. Print/braille Ages 6-10
When Someone is Afraid by Valeri Gorbachev
When an ostrich is afraid, it sticks its head in the sand. When a turtle is afraid it shrinks into its shell. Rabbits run away and cats hide under the bed. But when a little boy has a bad dream in the middle of the night, his mother is there to comfort him. This book shows young children that everyone is afraid sometimes. Print/braille Ages 3-8
While this project is supported by Glen Stacey funds, none of these funds are used by Wisconsin Braille for its day-to-day operations. We rely on our membership dues to support our other activities, including a newsletter and a website. If you appreciate receiving these free books, we would urge you to become a member of Wisconsin Braille Inc. Annual dues are only $10 for a regular membership or $30 for a sustaining membership. A membership form is attached; it can also be found on our website: www.wisbrl.org. Wisconsin Braille does not sell its membership list to any other organization. For your convenience, it is possible to pay dues or make a donation using PayPal, now loaded on our website.
You do NOT need to be a member of Wisconsin Braille to order books from us. BUT one decided advantage of becoming a member of Wisconsin Braille Inc. is that you may order additional free books from our composite listings. A composite listing of UEB books has been posted and updated this fall to our website (www.wisbrl.org)
Please remember to submit your order by December 31, 2024 at the latest, using the accompanying order form; return it to Alison McKee, using the address on the form. All our books are now being produced in contracted braille only. Teachers, please work with your school librarians to make them aware of our project and answer any questions they may have. Likewise, please alert the parents with whom you work about our project, especially those who do not have ready access to school libraries; this group may well include the parents of preschool blind children.
Special Book Project Committee Members,
Cindy Collins, Alison McKee, Tricia Shales
Email contact: amckee8473@gmail.com