Braille – A Bibliography

Below is a bibliography of books about Louis Braille and Braille. All of these books should be available at your local public library. The catalogue number to receive the books in Braille or on cassette have been added for patrons of the Bureau of Braille and Talking Book Library Services.

Touch of Light: The Story of Louis Braille by Anne E. Neimark

This biography conveys the warmth of Louis Braille's home life both before and after his accidental blindness at age 3, and his dissatisfaction with the raised-letter books then available.  This dissatisfaction compelled him to develop the coded alphabet for blind readers by the time he was 15.  For grades 5-8.
BR001423

Louis Braille: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind by Margaret Davidson

A simple biography of Louis Braille, who invented an alphabet that enables blind people to read when he was only fifteen.  For grades 3-6.
BR009495
RC041325

Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille by Russell Freedman

Louis Braille accidentally blinded himself with one of his father's tools when he was three years old.  In 1819, at the age of ten, Braille began attending the Royal National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, where, by age fifteen, he had developed a system of raised dots for reading and writing that is now used worldwide by blind people.  For grades 4-7 and older readers.
BR011319
RC044992

Louis Braille: Inventor by Jennifer Fisher Bryant

Recounts the life of Louis Braille who, at fifteen, created a system of raised dots that allows blind persons to read and write.  Describes Louis's childhood, the accident that caused his blindness, the support he received from his family, and his education, which led to his creation of the Braille alphabet.  For grades 5-8 and older readers.
BR011716
RC046863

Braille: Into the Next Millennium by National Library Service for the BPH

Essays examining the history and future of Braille include such topics as the development of the literary, Nemeth, and music codes; Braille production; legal issues; library service; and literacy and computer access concerns.  Edited by Judith Dixon, with a foreword by Frank Kurt Cylke and a preface by Kenneth Jernigan.
BR013188
RC050969

A Picture Book of Louis Braille by David A. Adler

Presents the life of the nineteenth-century Frenchman who was accidentally blinded as a child.  Louis Braille originated the raised dot system of reading and writing used throughout the world by visually impaired individuals.  For grades K-3.
BR014002
RC053405

All about Braille; Reading by Touch by Laura S. Jeffrey

Discusses Helen Keller, Louis Braille, and other noted blind persons, including mountain climber Erik Weihenmayer and musicians Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.  Provides information on learning Braille, using computers with Braille displays, and walking with a cane or guide dog.  For grades 3-6.
BR015653
RC058906

Louis Braille: A Touch of Genius by C. Michael Mellor

Biography of Louis Braille (1809-1852), a blind Frenchman who by age sixteen designed a code of raised dots enabling blind people to read and write easily.  Discusses his schooling, his love of music, and the advantages of his tactile reading system.
RC063350

Factsheet: Reading by Touch by National Library Service for the BPH

This 3-page summary gives an overview of the Braille alphabet, its creation, and use today.
http://www.loc.gov/nls/reference/factsheets/braille.html
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