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Living Paintings has introduced a new range of chapter book collections in its free postal library, allowing children who have grown up enjoying its audio-tactile picture books a new way to progress as readers.
The charity has spent more than 35 years creating audio-tactile picture books that introduce young children who are blind or partially sighted to stories through touch and sound. Its chapter book collections build on this foundation by giving older children aged 7-11 access to more challenging books in an accessible format.
The chapter book collections contain a printed copy of the illustrated book, the complete audio book, painted tactile pictures and an exclusive audio description with music and sound effects to describe the illustrations and bring the story to life. Together, these elements give advanced readers different ways to explore the story and its characters.
The launch comes during the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide campaign led by the Department for Education in collaboration with the National Literacy Trust to help people of all ages rediscover the joy of reading and make reading part of everyday life.
Liz Davies, Publishing Manager at Living Paintings, said: “The move from picture books to longer chapter books is a natural part of growing as a reader, and we want to support children who are blind or partially sighted to make that journey too. Our new chapter book collections help our beneficiaries make this important transition and will inspire a love of reading that will stay with them for life.”
The first collections feature stories by Roald Dahl, including Matilda, The BFG, Danny the Champion of the World, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. The collections also include Winnie the Pooh and The House at Poor Corner by A. A. Milne, which celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2026. Charlotte’s Web, The Wind in the Willows and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland will follow.
Beneficiaries can borrow the chapter book collections from the Living Paintings free postal library by visiting: https://livingpaintings.org/?s=chapter+books
