An adapted book is a book that has been changed to make it easier for a child to access, understand, and stay engaged with. That might mean simpler text, added picture symbols, braille, or hands-on tactile elements built into the pages. If you want to get your child excited about reading, or your child could benefit from a book adjusted to fit how they learn best, adapted books are worth trying.
What Is an Adapted Book?
An adapted book takes a traditional story and changes it in one or more ways to make it more accessible. Common adaptations include simplified text, repeated picture symbols that reinforce vocabulary, braille for readers with visual impairments, and tactile elements that let a child feel parts of the story as they read.
The goal is always the same: make the book easier for a child to access and enjoy, rather than expecting the child to adapt to a book that doesn’t quite fit how they learn.
Who Can Benefit From Adapted Books?
Adapted books can help a wide range of children, including kids with intellectual or developmental disabilities, autism, sensory processing differences, or visual impairments. Nonverbal children may also benefit, since these books give them a hands-on way to participate in a story. According to Enabling Devices, adapted books can give nonverbal students a way to join in reading that a traditional text alone may not offer. They can also help any child who has a hard time staying motivated or engaged with typical books.
How Do Tactile Elements Help?
At ETLC, most of our adapted books include tactile additions designed to help children understand specific vocabulary words. For example, if a story mentions “tall grass,” many kids can picture it in their minds without help. However, for a child who struggles with that kind of visualization, a physical example built into the page can help. Something tall, thin, pointy, and green lets them feel the different parts of that object directly. We used this approach in one of our adapted versions of “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” adding tactile elements throughout the story.
Beyond teaching vocabulary, tactile elements can also help a child stay motivated. A page they can touch and explore often holds their attention longer than text and pictures alone.
Adapted Book Examples
Here are some adaptations we have made to books at ETLC. As you create your own, think about how you can describe the items you add. For example, you can talk about colors, textures, sizes, and shapes with your child.
“Three Little Kittens” by Melissa Everett
For this book, we included a dropper with water for tears, a patch of “fur” for kitten fur, and some apple-scented melting wax to stand for apple pie. We also added “mittens” (children’s socks) with tape for sticky mittens, and a clothesline to show how the kittens hang their mittens to dry. As you read, you can touch and feel the items and talk about wet and dry mittens, soft fur, and sticky mittens, as well as the colors of the mittens, pie, and clothesline.
“There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Shell!” by Lucille Colandro
For this book, we added shells, tongs to represent crabs, a fish in water, feathers for the seagull, two small pails, and some sand. You can talk about colors, textures such as rough shells, smooth sand, and soft feathers, or movements such as crabs pinching and pails swinging back and forth.
Adapted Books in Action
If you would like to see how we might use an adapted book, watch this short video from Tessa Lancaster, M.A., CCC-SLP. When you choose tactile elements to add to a book, look for items that teach about different textures, colors, sizes, or shapes.
Can I Make My Own Adapted Book at Home?
Yes, and you don’t need special training to get started. Try adding a textured element to a page, like a cotton ball for “soft” or sandpaper for “rough.” You can also attach simple picture symbols next to key words, or rewrite a favorite story with shorter, simpler sentences.
Here are a few more tips as you get started:
- Describe it: Talk about the colors, textures, sizes, and shapes of what you add.
- Vary it: When you can, include different textures, colors, sizes, and shapes, so your child can compare and contrast.
- Take your time: Give your child plenty of chances to learn each new vocabulary word through the objects or pictures.
- Stay safe: Stay close when your child handles small items, and avoid small parts for children who still put things in their mouths.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age are adapted books for?
Adapted books can be used with children of many ages. The key is to choose a story and adaptations that match your child’s interests and needs.
Do adapted books replace regular books?
No. They are one more way to make reading more accessible and fun. You can still read other books together.
When Should I Seek Help?
If your child often struggles to engage with books despite trying different strategies, seems to need more hands-on or visual support to understand a story, or has specific access needs related to a disability or developmental difference, a speech-language pathologist or occupational therapist can help find adaptations for your child.
How ETLC Can Help
If you’d like to learn more about adapted books or how we support engagement with reading, our team is here to help. Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center has locations in Johnston and North Liberty, IA, with virtual services also available.
Learn more about speech-language therapy at ETLC or schedule a free consultation to talk with a member of our team.
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About the Author
Sonia Strueby, M.A., CCC-SLP, is the founder of Enrichment Therapy & Learning Center. With over 25 years of experience as a speech-language pathologist, Sonia has dedicated her career to helping children overcome complex communication and academic challenges. She has advanced training and a special focus on treating dyslexia and childhood apraxia of speech, and she is passionate about providing families with a clear path to success.
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