“I said “Somebody should do something about that. Then I realized I am somebody.”
― Lily Tomlin
I know, weird way to start a blog, but thought it was time I explained the book dream I have. My intended niche is everyone…to be inclusive as possible for everyone including people who have a great deal of difficulty reading. We talk the talk about inclusivity and I’m attempting to walk the walk as well.
Many years ago now, I was in a Good Will store in the Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I saw a young man sitting in a chair with a book in his hand. He had Down’s Syndrome. I remember smiling seeing a young man enjoying a book. Then I remember hearing comments to whether or not he could read and the book was being held upside down. Perhaps he had watched and noticed that when someone has a book and appears to be reading, they can sit and watch the world and be left in peace. Or perhaps he was reading and preferred to read upside down. Some people with disabilities actually do read this way. Perhaps a million things none of which is the goal of this story. I remember thinking that it is a shame that more books are not made for people who have challenges with reading. It’s almost as though society expects them to change dramatically as they get older. Many people are unable to read adequately. I always wondered why no one did anything about that and make more readable and enjoyable books for people who aren’t strong readers. I know there are audio books and graphic novels, but sometimes it is nice to sit and take your time to actually look at and/or read. Generally people with different disabilities want to be able to do everything everyone else does. They want to be treated normally.
So, with that in my head and time on my hands, I decided that someone should do something about that. Then I realized that I was someone (to put my quote into context). Thus my first books were born. Born of a love of photography, beautiful places and minimal writing to be read. To make books that EVERYONE could enjoy. I knew they could be enjoyed on a variety of levels for every type of person. My apologies, it is not a great format for people with visual disabilities; however my guilt is somewhat mollified by the fact that audio books are an ever growing source of reading for the visually impaired.
The other great thing about my books is that they can be enjoyed by the whole family. They could even do book club type activities of what was their favourite parts or least favourite parts.
There are very few adults with reading disabilities that would appreciate having to read children’s books because they are mostly pictorials. But, they aren’t very sophisticated nor are they very adult looking, so this leaves them feeling left out. My books fills that niche and allows for people who have great difficulty with reading, but want to have actual adult books.
My children’s books are also more adult in their approach so if your youngster is learning the alphabet a little later (teaser for next book in the series), they can appreciate the format and pictures that are of real places and things. Some children learn slower than others, so let’s make them part of the reading world by providing them the tools necessary to read and to enjoy books. Even adults can enjoy the pictures that go with my books for children, so could appeal to the whole family.
Reading should be made for everyone. We talk inclusion, we talk about having dyslexia, we talk about disabilities, so it’s time the reading world joins the rest of the world in helping spread inclusion. I want to make books that anyone could read if they wished.
This blog is written in memory of Mr. Joey Moss who brought the Edmonton Oilers and Hockey into the current century and held a steady career with them until his retirement. RIP Mr. Moss.
Thank you for reading my blog and for your interest in A & J PEI Treasures and your support for Inclusion!
A & J PEI Treasures/E Jean Simpson, BEd, BA, MA 