Customer Reviews

Just Enough to Know Better: A Braille Primer

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"This primer is for every Mom and Dad who just want toknow enough braille to help their blind son or daughter learn toread. It's fun...it's easy... it's a self-paced workbook that teaches you just enough braille to know better.

"Using your sight, you will learn to identify the braille alphabet, numbers, contract ions, and even a few exceptions to the rule that make braille so interesting. Most of all, you will show that braille is a special talent."

This description, taken from the order form, describes the intention behind this wonderful book. What is doesn't communicate is the wealth of information contained within the book, the very positive attitude it imparts about braille, the attractiveness of the book, and its accessibility and ease of use for sighted parents. Just Enough to Know Better is a clear and very readable presentation of the braille code, a little of the history of braille, and guidelines for braille reading and imparting a positive attitude about braille literacy to children--from a parent's perspective.

The book provides systematic instruction in the braille alphabet, punctuation, contractions for grade 2 braille, braille numbers, short-form words and various symbols. The information is provided in small units, with ample opportunity to practice reading what is learned. What makes this book unique is not the braille instruction itself--there have been programmed instructional texts in braille available in the past--but the content of those practice exercises. Each exercise develops the story of Rachel, written from her mother's perspective. Through Rachel's story, provided in print as well as in braille, users of the book are introduced to the process of learning to be a braille reader. This process includes discussion of some of Rachel's parents' concerns and fears; a wealth of activities and ideas for developing Rachel's sense of touch, her concepts, and her self-esteem and attitudes as a braille reader; and a description of the various devices, appliances, and their uses that Rachel and her parents encounter--such as the slate and stylus and, of course. the braille writer.

Rachel's story is followed by another delightful and informative passage, written from the perspective of a student who is 2 braille user to her teacher. in this passage, the author "grades" her teacher in a variety of areas, from mobility, to typing, to informing her and her family about resources. Again, the information contained in this passage is invaluable for developing a picture of the teacher's role and the educational process for children with visual impairments. The book also provides a comprehensive list of resources for teaching braille to children, and activities and ideas for developing "small hands." The descriptions of the braille code within each section and the rationale for the various rules and their exceptions are clear, concise, and interesting in their own right. Parent "cheat sheets" are also provided for quick reference--again with both the print and braille configurations recorded.

As indicated by requests and comments from parents across the country, this book is both timely and addresses a real need. Most importantly, it does so in a delightfully positive, supportive and informative manner. Even if the reader does not choose to work through every lesson, reviewing the print version of the passages will yield a wealth of information and ideas for assuring that both user and child will approach reading with the attitude:

that braille is

pirates and poets

shooting stars and

sleeping princesses

fire engines and frogs

dinosaurs and dignity

heaven and earth.

The National Braille Press promotes this book and it is available brand new from their website for $15 plus shipping. That said, this book is probably one of the better 'learn to read braille books' for those of us with sight. It is designed for parents of blind children and highly recommended.

I've had great success with several parents using this book. I let the parent know what letters I'll be teaching 1-2 days in advance so they can stay ahead of their child. This has led to some really great surprises for the kids when they get home and their parents can practice their letters with them and talk/reinforce what has been taught at school.

This book is useful for learning braille. The exercises tell the story of the author's experience with her daughter's blindness, so is interesting in that regard as well. However, sometimes I feel that because she's telling a story, the exercises don't cover all the letters as well as they should, just the more common ones. Although you could argue that's the braille that will end up being used the most often.

This book is way overpriced though.. I bought it for ~$40, before realizing you can buy it from the National Braille Press for a quarter of that price.