Clovernook Center publishes 2 original children’s books

Clovernook Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired has released its first two original print/braille children’s books, “All About Orion” and “Juniper and the Red Swoosh,” through its Tactile Literacy Program. 

The Tactile Literacy Program creates books that can be read by both sighted and visually impaired readers. It combines print and braille on the same page, with embossed braille pages inserted between illustrated or print pages to create a shared reading experience.  In recent years, the program has also incorporated tactile graphics and 3D models to enhance literacy for young readers. 

“All About Orion,” by local astronomer Dean Regas, introduces young readers to stars and constellations using tactile graphics. Meanwhile “Juniper and the Red Swoosh,” written by third-grader Juniper Eisenberg and co-authored by her mother Chi-Hoon Kim, follows Juniper’s adventure with a focus on abacus puzzles. 

Both books feature braille overlays, large print and vibrant illustrations, allowing children with blindness or low vision to fully engage in the reading experience alongside sighted readers.

Samuel Foulkes, director of braille production and accessible innovation, explained that “bringing original stories to life” for visually impaired readers has been a long-term goal of Clovernook Center, home to the largest-volume braille printer in the world.

For these first original works, Foulkes and team collaborated with the Scripps Howard Fund and the three authors to ensure the stories were engaging for all types of readers. A grant from the Scripps Howard Fund helped support the production of these books, including the creation of 3D models. 

“Every child should have access to books that meet their needs to experience the magic of reading,” said Meredith Delaney, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Fund. “We’re proud to support Clovernook Center’s Tactile Literacy Initiative and see the impact of their innovative work in creating books that both sighted and visually impaired children can enjoy together.”

Both books are available for purchase at clovernookprints.org/category/Books2