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She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer – The Inspiring True Story for Kids (Ages 10-12) About a Girl Who Changed Education
When she was just two years old, Laura Bridgman lost her sight, her hearing, and most of her senses of smell and taste. At the time, no one believed a child with such severe disabilities could be taught to communicate, much less lead a full and productive life. But then a progressive doctor, who had just opened the country’s first school for the blind in Boston, took her in. Laura learned to communicate, read, and write—and eventually even to teach. By the age of 12, she was world famous.
Audiences flocked to see her, and she was loved and admired by children everywhere. This fascinating and moving biography shows how Laura Bridgman paved the way for future generations of children with disabilities, making possible important advances in the way they would be educated. As a blind person with some hearing loss, Sally Hobart Alexander lends a unique and intimate perspective to this inspiring account. At last, the story of Laura Bridgman can find its long-deserved place alongside those of Louis Braille and Helen Keller.
Audiences flocked to see her, and she was loved and admired by children everywhere. This fascinating and moving biography shows how Laura Bridgman paved the way for future generations of children with disabilities, making possible important advances in the way they would be educated. As a blind person with some hearing loss, Sally Hobart Alexander lends a unique and intimate perspective to this inspiring account. At last, the story of Laura Bridgman can find its long-deserved place alongside those of Louis Braille and Helen Keller.
112 pages, Hardcover
First published February 18, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
June 30, 2011
Born fifty years before Helen Keller, Laura Bridgman lost her sight and hearing from scarlet fever and yet went on to live a remarkable life. The author of She Touched the World, Sally Hobart Alexander, tells Laura's life story with a sensibility born from experience as she, too, is completely blind and partially deaf. Laura's story brought her fame because of all she was able to overcome, and parents held her up as an example to their own children of what can be accomplished with hard work and a good education. This biography is filled with wonderful daguerreotypes of Laura, her school, her doctor -Samuel Gridley Howe - as well as photographs of educational tools used for the blind in the 1800's like tactile globes, a braille bible, pasteboard device for writing, and a metal case for learning arithmetic. Kids of all ages would enjoy learning of Laura's story and hearing of her introduction to the "poorly behaved and wild" Helen Keller. Includes excellent source notes, bibliography and website list.
February 25, 2025
This non-fiction book written for younger readers gives insight into the life of Laura Bridgman, early Perkins student, who raised awareness about people who are deaf-blind. The way she was taught informed educational practices for the deaf/blind prior to Helen Keller. History has forgotten much of her story and significance so I’m glad this book was suggested to me.
It reminded me how thankful I am that my daughter, who is deaf-blind, was born at a time in which educational practices, laws, and technology resulted in a different level of access for her. While there is ongoing work to be done to raise awareness/access and combat ableist thinking, this book demonstrates how far we have progressed. I left the book wanting to read works penned by Laura Bridgman, herself.
It reminded me how thankful I am that my daughter, who is deaf-blind, was born at a time in which educational practices, laws, and technology resulted in a different level of access for her. While there is ongoing work to be done to raise awareness/access and combat ableist thinking, this book demonstrates how far we have progressed. I left the book wanting to read works penned by Laura Bridgman, herself.
March 30, 2013
This was a pretty amazing biography about Laura Bridgman. At 2-yrs-old, Laura lost her sight, hearing, taste, and smell due to Scarlet Fever. A doctor in Massachusetts (Samuel Howe) heard about her and convinced her parents to let Laura live with him on the East Coast so he could teach her. Laura was really very smart and was easy to teach and Howe was able to show the world that people with disabilities were able to learn and live productive lives just like non-disabled people. Really, his work was ground-breaking at that time. And Laura was famous! Many people were inspired by Laura including Charles Darwin, Charles Dickens, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Charles Darwin observed Laura signing while dreaming which he believed proved his theory that language is necessary for thought (interesting!!??). Laura lived well before Helen Keller and actually taught Helen's teacher, Ann Sullivan, how to fingerspell. She was an amazing person who overcame amazing adversity and lived by the motto: "Obstacles are things to be overcome"
June 5, 2008
There is a lot to be admired -- Laura Bridgman and her spirit, those who helped her, and the author who chose to tell the story of this extraordinary person's life and who herself suffers from disabling conditions.
But for some reason, after closing the book, I did not feel that this is a subject that made a tremendous impact in history, because, she didn't. There is an anti-climatic feeling toward the end of the book. Although I certainly benefited from learning about the science advancement in brain research and the fields of educating blind/deaf people/children.
Notes to self:
xi: Introduction... "... And then you would have poked out the doll's eyes." <-- powerful and surprising phrase.
p. 10: "Rock, rock, rock. Minutes, hours passed slowly. Time was her enemy." <-- I like these phrases.
But for some reason, after closing the book, I did not feel that this is a subject that made a tremendous impact in history, because, she didn't. There is an anti-climatic feeling toward the end of the book. Although I certainly benefited from learning about the science advancement in brain research and the fields of educating blind/deaf people/children.
Notes to self:
xi: Introduction... "... And then you would have poked out the doll's eyes." <-- powerful and surprising phrase.
p. 10: "Rock, rock, rock. Minutes, hours passed slowly. Time was her enemy." <-- I like these phrases.
April 18, 2023
Laura Bridgman was multi-handicapped--scarlet fever left her blind and deaf with no sense of taste or smell. Yet Laura was very bright. This poor child was born in 1829--50+ years before Hellen Keller. And most interesting, she was Anne Sullivan's teacher. (Anne Sullivan was Helen Keller's teacher that taught Helen sign language and eventually to speak.) Laura taught her sign language at the Perkins School for the Blind.
if you lived in America in the 1840's you would have known her. Laura was very famous. At 12 years old she'd learned to do many things that people would have thought impossible--including sewing, lace making, figuring difficult math problems, etc. etc.
Oh the horror people went through for "healing". Back then, trained physicians used bleeding, cleaning, sweating and medicating with dangerous drugs such as calomel, camphor, and opium.
The author of this book, Sally Hobart Alexander, is blind and partially deaf.
if you lived in America in the 1840's you would have known her. Laura was very famous. At 12 years old she'd learned to do many things that people would have thought impossible--including sewing, lace making, figuring difficult math problems, etc. etc.
Oh the horror people went through for "healing". Back then, trained physicians used bleeding, cleaning, sweating and medicating with dangerous drugs such as calomel, camphor, and opium.
The author of this book, Sally Hobart Alexander, is blind and partially deaf.
March 29, 2018
There are all kinds of great historical figures about which we largely know nothing.
The story of Laura Bridgman is fascinating. Having been born about 50 years before Helen Keller, she was the only one of her two siblings to survive scarlet fever as a very young child. In the process, she lost both her vision and hearing.
Once she was taken to what eventually became a school for the blind, she became the original miracle child. What I find most fascinating is that in addition to reading and finger-spelling, she was actually taught to write letters to her mother using a pen and paper!
This is a children's book of about 100 pages. Laura Bridgman will take away any excuse you may have for whatever you think you are unable to do.
The story of Laura Bridgman is fascinating. Having been born about 50 years before Helen Keller, she was the only one of her two siblings to survive scarlet fever as a very young child. In the process, she lost both her vision and hearing.
Once she was taken to what eventually became a school for the blind, she became the original miracle child. What I find most fascinating is that in addition to reading and finger-spelling, she was actually taught to write letters to her mother using a pen and paper!
This is a children's book of about 100 pages. Laura Bridgman will take away any excuse you may have for whatever you think you are unable to do.
November 9, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Grade Level: Primary
When you think about the first blind/deaf person, you probably think Helen Keller, but it was actually Laura Bridgman. I found this book to be really interesting as it talks about Laura's struggles before she went to the school in Boston and also all about how she learned to communicate. It was a little bit longer than I expected it to be and there weren't many illustrations,but I think this book would be a good read aloud regarding differences and you could teach students some sign language as a fun activity to go with it.
Recommended Grade Level: Primary
When you think about the first blind/deaf person, you probably think Helen Keller, but it was actually Laura Bridgman. I found this book to be really interesting as it talks about Laura's struggles before she went to the school in Boston and also all about how she learned to communicate. It was a little bit longer than I expected it to be and there weren't many illustrations,but I think this book would be a good read aloud regarding differences and you could teach students some sign language as a fun activity to go with it.
August 28, 2018
A fascinating book about a girl whose sight, hearing, smell and taste were almost completely destroyed by scarlet fever. I had never heard of her before. She and her benefactors demonstrated that people with disabilities could be productive members of society. The books was written by a modern woman who also us deaf-blind. The work of Laura is linked to Helen Keller and the suffragette, Julia Ward Howe. A very interesting read, and the photos in the book really add to the story.
October 18, 2019
Never knew this story of Laura Bridgman, deaf blind girl who grew up before Helen Keller. She was a pioneer among the great minds of Horace Mann, Benjamin Franklin and many others who found Laura to be fascinating in how she learned using her sense of touch. This book was inspirational and educational!
April 30, 2024
a recommendation from a 3rd grader - It was a great recommendation. I had never heard of Laura Bridgman. She was blind and deaf and everyone had heard about her at the time because she learned to read and write and even speak - at a time when it was thought impossible. She loved the spotlight and being around people and learning.
September 12, 2017
Growing up almost everyone learns something about Helen Keller. As a TVI, I was surprised I hadn't heard of Laura Bridgman before. This is a relatively short book, but informative and contains interesting history.
September 27, 2017
What an inspiring story. I can hardly stop thinking about everything this woman went through, and all that she was able to accomplish. Incredible story.
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July 5, 2021A good person to know about, and one of the authors, Sally Hobart Alexander, is deaf-blind herself.
September 23, 2021
Wow really interesting
March 20, 2022
We really enjoyed learning about Laura Bridgman and that she taught Anne Sullivan how to fingerspell. We hear about Helen Keller so often, but never this woman. Highly recommend.
Currently reading
August 12, 2023p. 4-
February 26, 2025
I learned a great deal as a result of reading this book. While acknowledging that this was written for a younger audience, I felt there were elements that could have been expanded upon. I constantly had to remind myself that views and perspectives related to disability were vastly different in the 1800s from what they are today.
July 6, 2025
This book was well researched and has many interesting facts and connections, but it was not very engaging. The many photos helped.
March 3, 2017
When she was just two years old, Laura Bridgman lost her sight, her hearing, and most of her senses of smell and taste. At the time, no one believed a child with such severe disabilities could be taught to communicate, much less lead a full and productive life. But then a progressive doctor, who had just opened the country’s first school for the blind in Boston, took her in. Laura learned to communicate, read, and write—and eventually even to teach. By the age of 12, she was world famous.
Audiences flocked to see her, and she was loved and admired by children everywhere. This fascinating and moving biography shows how Laura Bridgman paved the way for future generations of children with disabilities, making possible important advances in the way they would be educated. As a blind person with some hearing loss, Sally Hobart Alexander lends a unique and intimate perspective to this inspiring account. At last, the story of Laura Bridgman can find its long-deserved place alongside those of Louis Braille and Helen Keller.
Audiences flocked to see her, and she was loved and admired by children everywhere. This fascinating and moving biography shows how Laura Bridgman paved the way for future generations of children with disabilities, making possible important advances in the way they would be educated. As a blind person with some hearing loss, Sally Hobart Alexander lends a unique and intimate perspective to this inspiring account. At last, the story of Laura Bridgman can find its long-deserved place alongside those of Louis Braille and Helen Keller.
February 5, 2017
Laura Bridgman lost her sight and hearing at the age of 2. She was curious and frustrated lost in herself. Dr. Samuel Howe heard of her and came to see if he could help her. He took her back to the Perkins Institute where he taught her to read and write. He taught her fingerspelling and reading by raised letters. She became the teacher of Anne Sullivan who came to the Perkins Institute before she went on to become Helen Keller's teacher.
I got immersed in this story. I learned a lot. I never knew about her nor what was done for those who had disabilities in the past except that they were kept locked away by their families. Laura's family did not do that but they could not teach her themselves as they had a farm to run and other children to take care of. When Dr. Howe came and said he could help her they took her to the school where he was director. Because she was only 8 she was able to learn manual fingerspelling and reading by feeling raised letters. Older students were not as successful as Laura. When she became an adult she remained in the school and helped wherever she was needed. She also had learned to knit, arithmetic, and to take care of herself. She was curious and did not lose that curiosity. She paved the way for reform in how those with disabilities were treated.
The end of the book tells of the advances made from Laura's time in the mid-1800's to today. This is a fascinating read that pulled me in from the first page. It will remain on my keeper shelf.
I got immersed in this story. I learned a lot. I never knew about her nor what was done for those who had disabilities in the past except that they were kept locked away by their families. Laura's family did not do that but they could not teach her themselves as they had a farm to run and other children to take care of. When Dr. Howe came and said he could help her they took her to the school where he was director. Because she was only 8 she was able to learn manual fingerspelling and reading by feeling raised letters. Older students were not as successful as Laura. When she became an adult she remained in the school and helped wherever she was needed. She also had learned to knit, arithmetic, and to take care of herself. She was curious and did not lose that curiosity. She paved the way for reform in how those with disabilities were treated.
The end of the book tells of the advances made from Laura's time in the mid-1800's to today. This is a fascinating read that pulled me in from the first page. It will remain on my keeper shelf.
September 9, 2008
Alexander, Sally Hobart and Robert Alexander. 2008. She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer.
Introduction:
If you had lived in 1841, the name Laura Bridgman would have echoed through your home, your school, your neighborhood. It would have rung out in the streets of Boston, in the halls of Congress, and across the ocean to England and Europe and beyond. By the time Laura Bridgman was twelve years old, she was that famous.
Like all children, you would have loved and admired her. You would have named your favorite doll after her...and then you would have poked out the doll's eyes.
Did that intro make you as curious as it made me? Laura Bridgman first came to my attention last year. She was mentioned briefly in the oh-so-wonderful-and-amazing Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller. When I saw her name pop up here, I knew I had to read this one and find out more.
Laura Bridgman was not born deaf nor blind. Both were the result of a childhood illness--well, an illness when she was a toddler. This book is the story of how she learned--with much help--to function and communicate in the world. At this time, there was no "help" to be had. No one had ever successfully taught someone who was both deaf and blind to communicate with others. There was no tried-and-true methodology in place. Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, a doctor and an educator, saw great potential in Laura Bridgman. While he had tried and failed in other cases (all adult cases I believe), he was ready to try again this time with a much younger student.
The book is well-written, well-researched, and interesting. The attention to detail amazed me--I certainly wasn't expecting that much from the book. And it truly is a fascinating story.
Introduction:
If you had lived in 1841, the name Laura Bridgman would have echoed through your home, your school, your neighborhood. It would have rung out in the streets of Boston, in the halls of Congress, and across the ocean to England and Europe and beyond. By the time Laura Bridgman was twelve years old, she was that famous.
Like all children, you would have loved and admired her. You would have named your favorite doll after her...and then you would have poked out the doll's eyes.
Did that intro make you as curious as it made me? Laura Bridgman first came to my attention last year. She was mentioned briefly in the oh-so-wonderful-and-amazing Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller. When I saw her name pop up here, I knew I had to read this one and find out more.
Laura Bridgman was not born deaf nor blind. Both were the result of a childhood illness--well, an illness when she was a toddler. This book is the story of how she learned--with much help--to function and communicate in the world. At this time, there was no "help" to be had. No one had ever successfully taught someone who was both deaf and blind to communicate with others. There was no tried-and-true methodology in place. Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, a doctor and an educator, saw great potential in Laura Bridgman. While he had tried and failed in other cases (all adult cases I believe), he was ready to try again this time with a much younger student.
The book is well-written, well-researched, and interesting. The attention to detail amazed me--I certainly wasn't expecting that much from the book. And it truly is a fascinating story.
April 11, 2014
Because my major is deaf education, the first non-fiction book that I was drawn to was She Touched the World: Laura Bridgman, Deaf-Blind Pioneer by Sally Hobart Alexander and Robert Alexander. Most people in the United States are familiar with Helen Keller, but very few have heard of Laura Bridgman. Bridgman was born fifty years before Keller, and Bridgman’s education made it possible for Keller to receive her education. Bridgman taught Anne Sullivan Sign Language.
I would pair this book with Nobody’s Perfect by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney. Matlin and Cooney’s book is about a deaf girl named Megan that is planning her perfectly purple birthday party, but when a new girl moves to town she is not interested in being nice to Megan at all.
There are several similarities between the two books. First of all, the book about Bridgman chronicles her life from becoming deaf at age 2, her years of school at the Perkins School for the Blind, through to her death. Bridgman was the pioneer of deaf-blind education. When Bridgman became deaf and blind people did not know how to react to her. I was not until later that they knew that she was a very capable individual. This also happened in Nobody’s Perfect, Alexis the new girl was unsure how to interact with Megan until she got to know her. Other similarities are that both girls are deaf, they both use American Sign Language to communicate, and they both have obstacles to over come in life. I could see using both books as ways to talk to students about accepting others’ differences.
I would pair this book with Nobody’s Perfect by Marlee Matlin and Doug Cooney. Matlin and Cooney’s book is about a deaf girl named Megan that is planning her perfectly purple birthday party, but when a new girl moves to town she is not interested in being nice to Megan at all.
There are several similarities between the two books. First of all, the book about Bridgman chronicles her life from becoming deaf at age 2, her years of school at the Perkins School for the Blind, through to her death. Bridgman was the pioneer of deaf-blind education. When Bridgman became deaf and blind people did not know how to react to her. I was not until later that they knew that she was a very capable individual. This also happened in Nobody’s Perfect, Alexis the new girl was unsure how to interact with Megan until she got to know her. Other similarities are that both girls are deaf, they both use American Sign Language to communicate, and they both have obstacles to over come in life. I could see using both books as ways to talk to students about accepting others’ differences.
June 3, 2011
A good nonfiction and biography for all ages, including its intended children's audience. It isn't overwhelming. The writing wasn't boring. It included some of her weaknesses right along with her positive points. Her story is inspirational, and I learned a whole lot more about her than I did before. It was interesting to think beyond the text and what was going on around her and in her family. For example, what was it like when her family lost their 3rd child during the first couple of years that Laura was away at school? What was her life like during the Civil War, and what were her thoughts about it? How did the teachers meet their spouses when it seemed they spent so much time with the pupils? Of course, that is my own wonderings and I do not think the simplicity and basic information takes away in the least.
I also enjoyed the end of what Laura's life may have been like today--for I have worked with visually impaired (some deaf as well) and seen some of the many tools and technology that were mentioned. I also know Braille and have seen raised letter books. The world for the visually impaired is just a little closer to my heart since I have been able to step into it as one who has tried to help them.
3 stars for the book and its telling, but one more for its inspiration, the co-author's connection, and my own personal connections.
I also enjoyed the end of what Laura's life may have been like today--for I have worked with visually impaired (some deaf as well) and seen some of the many tools and technology that were mentioned. I also know Braille and have seen raised letter books. The world for the visually impaired is just a little closer to my heart since I have been able to step into it as one who has tried to help them.
3 stars for the book and its telling, but one more for its inspiration, the co-author's connection, and my own personal connections.
April 28, 2008
You know about Helen Keller, but have you ever heard of Laura Bridgman? Laura Bridgman was born just about 50 years before Helen Keller. When she was a young child, she had scarlet fever, a disease that robbed her of her hearing, sight, and most of her senses of smell and taste. Laura was an intelligent, curious girl and once she was taken to school, she quickly learned to communicate. She became famous for her ability to communicate when most other Deaf-Blind people were locked in their own worlds. People all over the country knew her name. Laura Bridgman even taught Annie Sullivan to fingerspell.
Hand this fascinating book to fans of Helen Keller or any kid looking for a good biography to read. Many photographs accompany the text, which is broken into short chapters. A section at the end describes how life is different for Deaf-Blind people today.
Hand this fascinating book to fans of Helen Keller or any kid looking for a good biography to read. Many photographs accompany the text, which is broken into short chapters. A section at the end describes how life is different for Deaf-Blind people today.
September 2, 2023
Very interesting read about the first individual who was deaf and blind to be educated. Laura was indeed quick to learn the meaning of words and to read and write, but it was very sad that she was unable to have more experiences in life such as long-term relationships with people or the chance to get married. In those days, deaf-blind people weren't allowed to marry or do other things that people who were capable of seeing and hearing people could. Everyone Laura developed friendships with ended up pushing her away due to getting married and starting families. If only she were alive during the 20th century or even the 21st; she'd be allowed to make long-term friendships, go to college, get married, and so much more.
But it's very much true that Laura touched the world by being able to at least get something no other deaf-blind person could back then...get an education!
But it's very much true that Laura touched the world by being able to at least get something no other deaf-blind person could back then...get an education!
May 20, 2017
This was fascinating. I had never heard of Laura Bridgman until I read Miss Spitfire by Sarah Miller, also a great book. I've always been in awe of Helen Keller, but had no idea that if it were not for the success of Laura Bridgman, Annie Sullivan might never have been able to reach Helen.
My only real complaint about this book is the very beginning, when the author mentions how the children of Laura's day would have heard of her, pretended their dolls were her, and poke out their eyes.... excuse me, but what? Who does that? Is it just me, or would only a really sick child do that? I dunno.
Anyway, Laura Bridgman is totally inspiring. I am hoping to find more to read about her.
My only real complaint about this book is the very beginning, when the author mentions how the children of Laura's day would have heard of her, pretended their dolls were her, and poke out their eyes.... excuse me, but what? Who does that? Is it just me, or would only a really sick child do that? I dunno.
Anyway, Laura Bridgman is totally inspiring. I am hoping to find more to read about her.
April 16, 2008
Laura Bridgman became deaf and blind at a very young age, in an era before educating persons with such disabilities had been developed. Essentially, the story describes her challenges and triumphs from birth to adulthood.
This biography goes beyond describing the details of Laura's life by also revealing her personality. The wonderful anecdotes and details deepen the readers insight, which is further achieved through the inclusion of her flaws as well as her charms.
It is a surprisingly quick and easy read, accessible to youngsters in intermediate and upper elementary. It would also make a great teacher read aloud for younger children.
Highly recommended.
This biography goes beyond describing the details of Laura's life by also revealing her personality. The wonderful anecdotes and details deepen the readers insight, which is further achieved through the inclusion of her flaws as well as her charms.
It is a surprisingly quick and easy read, accessible to youngsters in intermediate and upper elementary. It would also make a great teacher read aloud for younger children.
Highly recommended.
July 14, 2010
Laura Bridgman became deaf and blind at a very young age, in an era before educating persons with such disabilities had been developed. Essentially, the story describes her challenges and triumphs from birth to adulthood.
This biography goes beyond describing the details of Laura's life by also revealing her personality. The wonderful anecdotes and details deepen the readers insight, which is further achieved through the inclusion of her flaws as well as her charms.
It is a surprisingly quick and easy read, accessible to youngsters in intermediate and upper elementary. It would also make a great teacher read aloud for younger children.
Highly recommended.
This biography goes beyond describing the details of Laura's life by also revealing her personality. The wonderful anecdotes and details deepen the readers insight, which is further achieved through the inclusion of her flaws as well as her charms.
It is a surprisingly quick and easy read, accessible to youngsters in intermediate and upper elementary. It would also make a great teacher read aloud for younger children.
Highly recommended.
May 11, 2011
I had never heard of Laura Bridgman, who was deaf and blind (and had damaged senses of taste and smell as well) yet managed to learn to read, write and communicate about fifty years before Helen Keller. Laura was an amazingly smart and talented person who was unique in being able to overcome such difficult challenges at a time when doctors, therapists, teachers, etc. had very few ideas of how to help people like her. This book was very well done, with lots of large photos and drawings to accompany the text. I tried to read it to Ben, but he found it a bit boring -- it's probably more a 3rd-6th grade book.
April 6, 2008
I had never heard of Laura Bridgman before. She was a girl who was deaf and blind (and also had lost most of her sense of taste and smell) who preceded Helen Keller and was also very famous in her day. The book had a lot of information about her and was very readable, not boring. Best of all, it also a great afterward that told all about current technologies that assist blind and or deaf people today.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews