We are pleased to offer Adapted Books as part of the Accessibility Collections. Adapted Books are picture books that have been modified to be more accessible to pre‑readers and individuals with special needs. As a result, readers can better engage with and communicate about the stories, making the overall experience more fun and meaningful.

With expert training from Rita Angelini, founder of Leap Into Literacy (adaptivebooks.weebly.com), your Children’s Library staff have taken popular titles from series including “Pete the Cat” and “Elephant & Piggie” and adapted them in the following ways:

• Books are taken apart and individual pages are laminated, mimicking the stiffness of board books and making it easier to clean the pages, which is especially helpful for individuals with compromised immune systems.
• Picture Communication Symbol (goboardmaker.com) are added to the bottom of each page. Symbol‑based visual supports help individuals with communication, behavior, and learning challenges.
• The laminated book pages are placed into binders, enabling individuals to keep books propped open while reading.
• “Page fluffers” are added to the edge of each laminated page to enable individuals to turn the pages with less difficulty.

Visit the Children’s Library to borrow one or more Adapted Books, and let us know what other titles you would like at www.lakeforestlibrary.org/acc-feedback.