The benefits of large print books have been well documented, and not just for older readers or those with vision impairments. Research shows the format can increase reading confidence in classroom situations and spark developmental gains among young readers, including among those who are learning English.
“When we started introducing librarians to youth large print, we were able to increase their title acquisition almost immediately,” says Carrie Willis, lead marketing manager for Gale’s Thorndike Press, a major publisher of large print titles. The next question , she says, was, “‘Do you have it in Spanish?’”
Indeed, school librarians and educators have found that large print can be a powerful tool for students learning English. Yet there’s a glaring disparity in the marketplace: a quick search on Amazon yields more than 700,000 large print options in English, but only around 2,000 for Spanish-language readers, few of which are aimed at young readers.
It’s a critical need Thorndike is seeking to address with its first-ever collection of youth large print books in Spanish. The program, which debuted this spring, has so far seen the release of 20 titles, with plans for eight more in the coming months, including books by bold-faced authors like Julia Alvarez, Meg Medina, Jason Reynolds, Erika L. Sánchez, and Ruta Sepetys.
Thorndike reps say the program is a response to the growing chorus of feedback from librarians and educators, who have long been asking for more resources to support bilingual students. They also cited a study by education advocacy group Project Tomorrow, which found that two-thirds of teachers polled said large print texts led to “faster English acquisition” by students who are non-native English speakers, with another 42% noticing “improved decoding skills” among English-language learners reading large print.
Librarians say the program also supports equitable access efforts in schools. “Making youth large print titles available in Spanish demonstrates a commitment to accessibility, inclusivity, and supporting diverse learning needs,” said Donna Gray, library coordinator at the New York City School Library System, at the 2024 Public Library Association Conference in April, when the program was announced. “By offering youth large print in Spanish, we create an inclusive environment that recognizes and celebrates linguistic diversity.”
