The Secret Code (a Rookie Reader)

This book was written for young children (4 to 8 years) so they can understand how blind children read Braille. In simple language and colourful illustrations it tells the story of how Oscar, a blind boy, teaches his friend Lucy how to read his Braille Book. The book is important because today when most blind children are educated in regular schools it is vital that sighted children have books they can read about blind children and how they learn. There are very few books available at this level in school or public libraries or even in print. Teachers, parents and librarians are frustrated at this lack of such materials that are available from major publishing companies.The author fully understands the needs of the blind as her brother, Derek is blind. Unlike most she was raised in a family where Braille books, Braille writers, talking books and other assistive devices were common. Dana's brother was educated both in regular school and the Perkins School for the Blind. She also knows first hand about the difficulties that sighted children have understanding about children who are blind or visually impaired. The bookshelves of children and libraries are full of books abour super heroes, animals, birds, monsters, sports and sport figures but where are the books about people who have special needs? It is not so much because children do not want to read about them but a lack of them being available to purchase. There is a great need for authors and illustrators to create well written books that publishers will produce. If century-old attitudes about the handicapped are to be changed then it has to start by educating young children in positive ways.