Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 2^-4. Part of Adler's Picture Book Biography series, this tells the story of Louis Braille in a straightforward style and with many line-and-watercolor illustrations. A final page includes the braille raised-dot signs of the alphabet and numerals. Russell Freedman's fine biography Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille [BKL Mr 15 97] is the first choice for reading aloud and for middle-grade readers, but Adler's account will arouse the interest of younger children and make them want to find out more. Hazel Rochman
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3An appealing introduction to the Frenchman who invented the raised-dot alphabet/code now used around the world by blind and visually impaired readers. The text is simple yet informative, tracing Braille's life from the childhood accident that caused him to lose his sight through his career at the National Institute for Blind Children in Paris. Adler sprinkles in interesting facts about early 19th-century France that help readers better grasp Braille's world. The development of the alphabet/code is a major component of the book and is explained in an understandable manner. Primitive alphabet systems for the blind are discussed along with Braille's determination to replace them with his less cumbersome one. Readers can feel the alphabet and numbers from 1-10 at the back of the book. Softly colored illustrations in line and watercolor add visual clues for younger children. An excellent resource.Maura Bresnahan, Topsfield Town Library, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
The latest addition to the series introduces the life of Braille with an easy-to-read text and adept watercolors. Beginning with the accident that blinded Louis at the age of three, Adler describes the personal and educational experiences that influenced the scholar to develop a raised-dot alphabet for the visually impaired. A list of important dates and a page of the alphabet and numbers in Braille is included. From HORN BOOK 1997, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
