Who Was Louis Braille? by Margaret Frith

 Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade brings the inspiring figure of Louis Braille who invented the reading code for the blind that is still used today. His system of raised dots is called braille.

Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809 in Coupvray, France. It was a small village north of Paris. Louis loved working with his father in the workshop. One day, while his father stepped away for a moment, Louis accidently pierced his eye with a sharp tool while trying to make a hole in a piece of leather. The infection spread to the second eye. By the age of four, he was completely blind.

His parents were determined for Louis to learn how to be useful. His father made an alphabet with nails attached to a board for Louis to learn all the letters.

At ten, Louis arrived at the school in Paris, which was the only school for blind children in France. He quickly made the use of the books at the library, which were written with raised letters. The problem was that they were large letters. So it was a tedious process to read a book.

When a new director was hired, he introduced a new reading system called “night writing.” The dots punched into heavy paper represented sounds that could form words, which formed sentences. The system of using sounds was hard to learn, but Louis persisted and found a new method which was easier and became implemented in classes.

In 1828, at nineteen, he graduated from the Institute. He was asked to stay as a student teacher. He gladly accepted and quickly became a beloved teacher.

Louis died at forty-three from tuberculosis. Two years after his death, his raised dot code became the official system in France for teaching the blind.

This biography is beautifully written, shedding light on a kind-hearted man who didn’t receive a credit for his invention during his lifetime. But that probably wasn’t his concern. What he cared about deeply were his students and how to improve their lives. He was a true hero for humanity.

This illustrated biography series for young readers, ages 8-12, is presented in a relatable way, with simple sentences and enriched with insightful inserts.

Published in 2014 by Penguin Workshop

TRENDING INSPIRATION: Look for Solutions rather than Accept the Limits

Traits:

·         Be persistent in creating what you believe may serve the humanity

·         Be kind

·         Teach from the heart, so others benefit from your knowledge

·         Look for a way to improve someone else’s life

·         Look for solutions

·         Don’t accept limits 

"Powerful people impress and intimidate by saying less." - Robert Greene