Tactile image books are amazing: they're books in which all the pictures are made up of different objects, shapes and textures, specifically designed to be explored by touch. They let children who have little or no sight enjoy picture books just like sighted children do, and help them build up valuable touch skills which will be useful for navigating life without vision, especially if they might learn braille. They can be made in a variety of ways, including stitched fabric, collage, plastic vacuum-formed round real objects and 3D printing.

The Typhlo and Tactus International Tactile Book Competition is held every two years to encourage tactile book creation across the world. This year, judging will take place in Poland in October, with a prize of 500 Euros for the overall winner.

This brilliant contest is free to enter and open to anyone- whether you’ve never made a tactile book before, or you’ve made dozens! In past years we’ve had great entries from sewing groups, artists, parents, teachers, crafters and students. The judges will be looking for books which are exciting and entertaining for children up to age 12 who have little or no sight, and are strong enough to take enthusiastic exploring by touch.

If you're interested in entering a book, the application form can be found here: TyphloandTactusentryform2024.docx and the full rules here: http://tactus.org/participate-in-the-competition/rules/?lang=en

Hurry though, the deadline for books to be at the ClearVision library is 1^st July 2024. You can ask us for a freepost label to send us your book!

We’re also looking to recruit judges with sight impairment for the UK judging round, held at ClearVision on a weekend in mid-July. If you’re interested in taking part, please contact us!

For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please see our videos below and visit our Making Tactile Books webpage for the basics. We're holding Zoom workshops too. They're running:

Wednesday 17th April 7pm
Monday 13th May 7pm
Monday 3rd June 4pm

They’re all the same (so you only need to sign up for one!) and will run for one and a half to two hours. Signup for each closes three days before the class, email info@clearvisionproject.org to book a place.

You can find 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.

Videos:
Tactile books: what they are and who they’re for

Designing a tactile book:

Making a tactile book: practicalities

Tags: Competition, tactile books, Tactus competition, Typhlo and Tactus

More time- Typhlo and Tactus competition postponed!

Due to the disruption caused by the covid-19 pandemic, the international judging round of the world-famous Typho and Tactus tactile book competition has been postponed. To give UK book designers the maximum time to work on their entries, we’ve decided to postpone the UK judging round too. The new deadline for books to arrive at ClearVision for judging is 28^th February 2022. Download an Typhlo and Tactus entry form 2022. Here are the Typhlo and Tactus rules 2022

If you’ve already entered one or more books, don’t worry, you don’t have to resubmit them, they’ll be entered automatically on the new date. If you’d like to enter a second or subsequent book, you’re welcome to do so.

If you’re new to the contest or indeed the whole world of tactile books, entering the competition is a great way to get feedback on your creations. Tactile books are incredible books in which all the illustrations are specially designed to be explored by touch- though they can include sounds and smells too!- perfect for children with sight impairment. Anyone can make one. The judges will be looking for a robust and exciting book, suitable for children aged 12 or under with little or no sight.

Visit our Making Tactile Books webpage for the basics and see the videos below for advice on designing and constructing a tactile book.

Why not attend one of our free Zoom workshops to learn more? They are running at 8pm 17th January and 1st February 2022. They’re the same (so you only need to sign up for one!) and will run for one and a half to two hours. Signup for each closes three days before the class, email info@clearvisionproject.org to book a place.

Videos:
Tactile books: what they are and who they’re for

Designing a tactile book:

Making a tactile book: practicalities

Tags: Competition, tactile books, Tactus competition, Typhlo and Tactus

Tactile image books are incredible: they're books in which all the pictures are made up of different objects, shapes and textures, specifically designed to be explored by touch. They let children who have little or no sight enjoy picture books just like sighted children do, and help them build up valuable touch skills which will be useful for navigating life without vision, especially if they might learn braille. They can be made of fabric, collage, 3D printing, plastic vacuum-formed round real objects, and in many other ways.

The Typhlo and Tactus International Tactile Book Competition is held every two years to encourage tactile book creation across the world. This year, judging will take place in Italy in October, with a prize of 500 Euros for the overall winner. ClearVision will be holding the UK judging round in September. Up to five books will be selected and submitted to the international judging.

This brilliant contest is free to enter and open to anyone- whether it's your first try at making a tactile book or your twentieth! We've had great entries in past years from parents, artists, teachers, stitching groups, crafters and students. The judges will be looking for books which are exciting and entertaining for children up to age 12 who have little or no sight, and are strong enough to take enthusiastic exploring by touch.

If you're interested in entering a book, the application form can be found here and the full rules here. Hurry though, the deadline for books to be at the ClearVision library is 29^th August 2021.

For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please see our videos below and visit our Making Tactile Books webpage for the basics.

You can find 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.

Tags: tactile books, Tactus competition, Typhlo and Tactus

Tactile books are amazing things: they're books in which all the pictures are made up of different shapes and textures, specifically designed to be explored by touch. They let children who have little or no sight enjoy picture books just like sighted children do, and help them build up valuable touch skills which will be useful in all areas of their life, especially if they might learn braille.

They can be made of collage, fabric, 3D printing, plastic vacuum-formed round real objects, and in many other ways. For more about these brilliant books, check out our video here:

Tactile Books: What They Are And Who They're For

The Typhlo and Tactus International Tactile Book Competition is help every two years to encourage tactile book creation across the globe. This year is its 20^th anniversary. Judging will take place in Brussels in October 2019, with a prize of 1000 Euros for the overall winner.

This brilliant contest is free to enter and open to anyone- whether it's their first try at making a tactile book or their twentieth! We've had wonderful entries in past years from parents, artists, teachers, stitching groups, crafters and students. The judges will be looking for books which are exciting and entertaining for children up to age 12 who have little or no sight, and are strong enough to take enthusiastic exploring by touch.

Here's our video about the competition

If you're interested in entering a book, the application form can be found here and the full rules here. Hurry though, the deadline for books to be at the ClearVision library is 16^th August 2019. Up to five books will be selected and submitted to the international judging.

For more information on designing and making a tactile book, please see our videos: Designing a Tactile Book, and Making A Tactile Book: Practicalities:

Alternatively, visit our Making Tactile Books webpage.

You can find the competition's 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.

Tags: Competition, tactile books, Tactus competition, Typhlo and Tactus

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 20^th 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 16^th August

Tags: Competition, tactile books, Tactus competition, Typhlo and Tactus