Grandad’s Camper drives into our library (and our hearts!)

We’re beyond excited to launch our newest Touch to See picture book for blind and visually impaired children: Grandad’s Camper. It’s full of beautiful illustrations and universal messages about love, loss and acceptance, and celebrates characters we seldom see in children’s books.

Grandad’s Camper follows the titular Grandpa, whose camper van has seen better days – now Gramps isn’t around anymore, adventures like the ones they shared wouldn’t be the same. Upon hearing the charming stories of Grandad’s past with Gramps, his granddaughter has an idea to cheer him up…

This touching tale is made all the more memorable through its illustrations. Harry Woodgate, author and illustrator, creates grand, sweeping scenes bursting with life. Every single image is rich with colour, from the comforting reds of evenfall skies, to the pastel pink paint that coats Grandad’s camper van.

“I feel massively honoured and excited that the team at Living Paintings are adapting my picture book, Grandad’s Camper, for blind and visually impaired children. I believe that children deserve to see themselves represented in the stories they read, and that all children should be able to enjoy the benefits that reading for pleasure can bring. By producing tactile, audio and braille books, Living Paintings are transforming access to reading for thousands of children across the UK, and it’s incredibly special to know that one of my books is part of that.”

Harry Woodgate, author/illustrator

But we couldn’t make Grandad’s Camper without the help of our wonderful volunteers, who create the raised illustrations that go into the book. We were also thrilled to work with Layton Williams on the audio guide for this book.

His warmth and energy are positively infectious, and we can’t wait for his voice to guide little fingers across the raised illustrations, bringing this wonderful book to life for blind and visually impaired children.

But it’s not just these reasons that make it a special book for us at Living Paintings, as CEO Camilla Oldland explains: “Grandad’s Camper is the first book in our library with an explicit focus on LGBTQIA+ themes, and I can’t think of a better story to kick off this journey. We have moved the release up so we can ensure this is ready for Pride Month, knowing that so many families and schools will be having meaningful conversations around these vital topics. We hope this beautiful story will help facilitate those conversations with blind and visually impaired children in an engaging and impactful way.”

Grandad’s Camper is starting its engine, ready to drive its way into your heart just in time for Pride Month, where its warm, fuzzy world can reach a whole new audience.

• Order your copy!