DK Braille: Counting

by Fleur Star

Learn how to count to 10 with DK Braille: Counting.

Explore tactile spreads in different textures to discover counting techniques with a book designed specifically for blind or visually impaired readers. DK Braille: Counting's pages combine braille, large print, and high contrast photography with clear and predictive layouts for curious young readers. The accompanying story in print and braille takes readers on a counting adventure in the park.

DK Braille: Counting is a unique book that teaches counting in a special, revolutionary book.

A flagship series of high-quality, custom books with braille and tactile images for blind and partially sighted children, or sighted children with blind parents. DK Braille books combine uncontracted Unified English Braille and large type with high-contrast colors, embossed images, and tactile cutout shapes for children to feel with their fingers. The combination of text alongside the braille enables sighted parents to share the reading experience with visually impaired children, and for sighted children to share with their visually impaired parents.

Reviews:

"This special little book teaches counting in a unique and revolutionary way...little ones can learn to read in more than one way." - Babble.com

"A winning series that is truly for all board-book readers and their grown-ups." - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)

"Polished design and execution make this a valuable resource." - Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"What a great addition to the often groundbreaking titles offered by DK." - New York Journal of Books

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Childrens, Mathematics

18 pages, Board Book

First published March 15, 2016

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just for the visually impaired - this is tactile fun for anyone! And very sturdy, with lots of different textures that will likely hold up to lots of little learners' inquisitive fingers. My favorite texture is the "sticky worms" and my favorite image is the leaves (because even if before I touched and realized that the veins were distinctly textured, I could see them beautifully outlined in red against the different greens).

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK Braille: Counting: This is such a great book! I love that DK makes these Braille books for young readers and this is just so special because, rather than simply being a translation of printed word to Braille, the book's illustrations are a tactile experience. From smooth rain boots to sticky earthworms to fuzzy bird wings to veined leaves, I think this would be a treat for all readers. I wanted to see if I could guess the illustrations by the shape and texture; I did not succeed very often but I attribute the failure entirely to my own lack of patience and skill and not to the illustrations!

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great board book with large print, bold colors, many textures, and, of course, braille. I think this book would engage any reader and should be part of any library's board book collection.

[Viridiana Rico · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Yes, I loved this book because it has braille. I do not see many books like this that have braille in the toddler books. For children who are visually impaired this will be a great book for them, and I believe it is amazing. The book shows the number and the word of the number. Children can count the different objects that the book shows on each page which they will be using their sensory. I like how the end of the book it reviews all of the numbers from 1-10 and it gives questions. For example, one of the questions was, "how many bees are on the page?" Children would need to count the bees, and children who are visually impaired can feel the texture of the bees that the illustration has on the page. Children will need to use their cognitive skills. Children will be entertain with the book because of the illustrations, and they will be curious because of the braille. What i will emphasize is asking the children in how many objects do they see on each page. They will be counting the numbers out loud as we go through the book, and we will repeat the numbers again once we are finished with the book.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fantastic! A definite must-have for public libraries. On a Saturday morning not too long ago, a mom brought her three children to the youth services department where I work. She asked me what materials we had to engage her youngest child, who is blind, while she worked on an adult computer and her two oldest read and used our youth Internet computers. I was stumped; that bothered me, because I am Deaf and like to imagine I'm up to date on library accommodations. We do not supply headphones for the computers, and out Talking Book machines are long gone. The well-worn Braille picture books we had were outdated and above the young girl's level. I did the best I could.

DK has done a great service in publishing these board books. The text is simple. It is based around counting; and not only includes a well-defined raised text, but also images for each number with different textures (trees with rough bark, sticky worms) that can be tactile counted.

[Jamie Wratchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Award winner)

"DK Braille: Counting" by Fleur Star, designed by Jemma Westing (2016).
Winner of ALAN (American Library Association Notable), 2017.

"DK Braille: Counting" is an exceptional board board for babies and toddlers on many levels. Bold colors and minimalistic wording capture and hold attention while varied textures invite tactile exploration and discrimination. Braille translations further touch opportunities for babies and toddlers, or introduce preschoolers to the topic of Braille. Visually-impaired readers benefit from the texture and Braille additions. I discovered the DK Braille series out of necessity when searching for my library patrons and have been very pleased with the series overall. If reading aloud to the Pre-K age range with this book, I would begin by asking questions about the cover. I would say, "Today, let's read "Counting" by Fleur Star. Look at all of these pretty circles. Can you count them with me? 1, 2, 3, 4 and so on. Oh, look at these dots along the bottom of the book! What do you suppose they mean? (kiddos take a guess) These dots are a language! People who can't see with their eyes use their fingers to read! Can you believe that?! Can you close your eyes for me? Now feel these dots. Those are letters that are put together to form words. (I might even have a sample of a letter or a short word in Braille from the Illinois State Library's Talking Book and Braille Service for each child to feel.) So, if you couldn't see with your eyes, you could use your fingers to read this book. Let's turn the page and see what we can count next." And so on. I would encourage the children to count along as I point to the objects, and would let them touch the textured objects as well as the Braille translations. I would point to the words as I read. And I love saying, "The End" with flare and drama. Then, I would ask the children if they had any questions about Braille or the book.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This board book is designed to all readers including visually impaired children. I am not familiar with braille which is a tactile writing system, and this book is a good introduction for me to learn about diverse readers and multiple reading systems. This board book contains tactile illustrations which helps readers to learn counting from 1 to 10. We have many quality books to read with children, but I realized that those books are intended to readers who are physically stable. In spite of efforts of teachers and parents, physically marginalized children miss the opportunities to be exposed to quality books, and this realization made me sad. I hope to explore and read multiple books which are targeted to diverse readers.

[Caitie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an early concept informational text that is designed especially to meet the needs of young readers who are blind or visually impaired. The pages of this text are characterized by bright colors, photographs, and different textures to help readers feel and tactically experience counting. Throughout the book, readers are counting different objects related to the park. The text is written in both standard English and Braille to accommodate all readers.

[Rachel Crowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about children who want to learn how to ten using braille. This book uses different textures throughout the while book. The book combined braille, large print and high contrast photography, the book tells a story about a group of kids who are taking a walk through the park. This book would be good for children not only because because it is using braille but it teaches blind kids another ways to make them feel like a regular child.

[Katie Bruff · Rating 5 out of 5]

In "Counting," this is an awesome book to teach children how to count using braille. Most kids don't know what it is like for people or in fact, other children to be blind or have special needs. This book has a variety of shapes and textures to experience counting. Numbers and words are also printed as text to teach children how to count.

[Jensine Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for children who have disabilities, it has great visual with awesome texture in order or children to get the full affect. This book also offers braille along with the pictures.

[Josh Bader · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading this book I like it a lot for the pure reason I'm going for special education as my major. This is a great book for a reader with maybe a sight disability. Even if he/she are slow readers at first.

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi! Grown woman here! I actually had a really fun time running my fingers over the braille sentence while my first grader read me the words. This book is good for discussion with children about how different people sometimes have different ways of learning

[Brandy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crazy in love with this book. All about texture and everything is in print and Braille. Great resource to teach about Braille.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with the DK Braille books.

[Christine Turner]

DK Braille: Counting by Fleur Star
ATA, HCPL 2019

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better touch and feel books we've seen. Lots of different textures (Peter loves the sticky worms).

[Alicia Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

For: readers looking for a braille book (or a counting book) with lots of textures.

Possible red flags: some may not enjoy the dual language format.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even for those of us without the need to learn braille this is a good counting book. The tactility is outstanding of course and the fun questions put it above the rest.

[Shaun Winford · Rating 5 out of 5]

really sweet. helpful for children learning Braille. a bit pricey but I'm guessing it has to be.

[Rachelle Impink · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve found to teach counting and number sense and to make it EVEN better - it includes different textures AND Braille!
Should be required reading for toddlers!

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun for kids and those who are learning braille

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very cool board book that includes textured illustrations and braille writing under the text.

[Michael Campana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cleverly-designed board book features the numbers 1 - 10, with each number's page having an accompanying illustration and sentence in both text and braille, both of which use the number in context. The illustrations are simple and colorful to appeal to sighted children, but each illustration also has features such as die-cut shapes, raised surfaces, and varying textures that allow vision-impaired readers to feel the shape of the items (balls, boots, trees, birds, etc.) being counted on that page.

[Michelle Turnure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nicely designed board book. The text and pictures go through numbers 1-10 showcasing common objects. The illustrations are bright and simple. The reader is able to touch and feel the items featured like a pair of rubber boots and fuzzy birds. There is a braille translation on each page below the text and the numbers. This is a great way to introduce readers to braille and may drive them to learn more about braille.

[Jennifer Panton · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK's early concept book on counting with braille introduces blind children to counting to ten. The book uses different textures and shapes for each number to create an interesting tactile learning experience for readers.

[Tory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great textures, even for sighted kids.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to Braille in a board book, includes glossary at the end of the numbers 1-10 in Braille.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful (for sighted readers) and incredibly tactile (including STICKY worms!) book. Lots of good variation in types of touch. All of the pictures are well outlined for feel.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

DK Braille makes some cool books.