020 8789 9575 info@clearvisionproject.org
Typhlo and Tactus Competition 2019: Could You Design a Book?
Could you create a picture book for a child who can't see pictures?
most young children, an essential part of childhood. But what if you can't see? Tactile image books like those in ClearVision's collection are the solution for blind or partially sighted children, as every picture is designed to be explored by touch. Imagine putting out your hand to a page and actually feeling the rough bricks of a wall, the hairy nose of a camel, the slimy squish of a slug! These incredible books aren't commercially produced, but made by creative people from every walk of life.
Just as conventional picture books have their prestigious competitions, such as the UK's Kate Greenaway award, tactile illustration has the Typhlo and Tactus International Tactile Book Competition to encourage tactile book creation across the globe. This year is its 20th anniversary. Judging will take place in Brussels in October 2019, with a prize of 1000 Euros for the winning entry.
The fantastic news is that the competition is open to anyone. Previous entrants have included teachers, artists, crafters, grandparents and students. The judges will be looking for books which are interesting, robust and entertaining for children up to age 12 who have little or no sight.
Each participating country can submit up to five books to the international contest. The UK shortlisting round will take place in September 2019 and is being organised by the ClearVision Project. The UK judges will include children and adults who have a visual impairment, tactile image experts and illustrator Rod Campbell, author of immensely popular children's picture books including everyone’s favourite, Dear Zoo.
The winning book will need to be very appealing to blind children under the age of 12. It should be enjoyable, entertaining, have lots of tactile interest and be robust enough to withstand enthusiastic exploration. For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please visit our Making Tactile Books webpage. Videos on making tactile books will shortly be available on YouTube, and workshops will be held across the UK.
All entries will be returned to their owners after the competition unless they wish to donate them to the ClearVision library, to be enjoyed by children with vision impairment across the UK and Ireland.lots of tactile interest and be robust enough to withstand enthusiastic exploration. For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please visit our Making Tactile Books webpage. Videos on making tactile books will shortly be available on YouTube, and workshops will be held across the UK.
You can find the full rules here, the entry form here and the website of the Typhlo and Tactus competition, with information about previous winners, at www.tactus.org. If you have questions, please contact ClearVision on info@clearvisionproject.org or 020 8789 9575.
The closing date for UK entries is Friday 16th August