Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Another gem from Jen Bryant. She’s amazing!

Title: Six Dots, a Story of Young Louis Braille
Written by: Jen Bryant
Illustrated by: Boris Kulikov
Knopf, 2016, biography (historical fiction)
Suitable for ages: 4-8

Themes/topics: blind, Braille alphabet, determination

Opening:
On the day I was born, Papa announced me to the village: “Here is my son Loo-WEE!”
The neighbors came, clucking their tongues, whispering: “Too small. He won’t survive!”
Oh, but I did survive.
I was a curious child, and my eyes studied everything: Maman’s gentle face. Lace draping my cradle. The smooth shape of a bread loaf on the table.

Brief synopsis (from the jacket)
Louis Braille was just five years old when he lost his sight. He was a clever boy, determined to live like everyone else, and what he wanted more than anything was to be able to read.
Even at the school for the blind in Paris, there were no books for him.
And so he invented his own alphabet—a whole new system for writing that could be read by touch. A system so ingenious that it is still used by the blind community today.

Activities and Resources:
Jen Bryant’s Six Dots page with more links on Braille to explore
Discussion guide 

Why I like this book:
I’m such a fan of Jen Bryant. This gorgeous book, brimming with heart, is told through the eyes of Louis as a child. Bryant takes us along as the curious boy learns to use sound, scent, and touch to navigate his world. Determined to read, Louis refuses to let blindness hold him back. Like the great inventors of all time, he changes lives for the better. But unlike most, he did it as a child. Now that’s an empowering story for young readers! Jen Bryant’s text is seamless and tightly woven with meaningful threads. She definitely has a way with words. And a way with books about words!

Don’t forget – just one week left to get in on the drawing for Miranda Paul’s 10 Little Ninjas. To be eligible, just read her great post on concept books and leave a comment. The winner will be announced in next Friday’s post.

Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent resources.