Wednesday, August 18, 2010


Large Print - Not For Grandma’s Eyes Only.


When Chocolate Magic was scheduled for release in large print, I became curious as to who’s reading these big word books. This prompted me to do a little research.

I won’t bore you with the history. You can easily google that if you’re interested. What I did find interesting was the studies done by schoolteachers. These studies showed how reluctant readers were more likely to pick up a large print book. All students, not just the difficult readers enjoyed books with fewer words on the page.

There is an ergonomics of reading that applies to everyone, not just the visually impaired. Lead space, the amount of white space between the lines of print eliminates a tendency to skip lines. Increase font (14-16) affects the speed of reading and the movement of the eye across the page.

The ease and speed of reading BIG WORD BOOKS helps students develop the skills needed to become successful and confident readers.

This blog was typed in 14 courier font.

Have you read a large print book?

11 comments:

Sandy Cody said...

Interesting info, Zelda. Reading your post in large print WAS easier. I'm going to have a look at my personal website and see if I can make it more reader friendly. Thanks.

Sandy Cody said...

Forgot to say how much I like your cover. Delicious!

Zelda Benjamin said...

Great idea to use larger font on our websites. The only problem with the larger font is that it limits what you can say on one page. I agree it is much easier to read. I often find myself reading only part of a piece in smaller print.

Zelda Benjamin said...

Great idea to use larger font on our websites. The only problem with the larger font is that it limits what you can say on one page. I agree it is much easier to read. I often find myself reading only part of a piece in smaller print.

Rebecca L. Boschee said...

Great post, Zelda! I have not read a large print book yet, but just ordered one. I have read books on my nook in the largest available font size. I now tend to increase the font size when it's late or my eyes are tired--because it's unthinkable I'd just take a break at that ponit. :-)
Rebecca

Zelda Benjamin said...

One of the advantages of a nook or kindle is that you can increase the font. Imagine all those editors reading small fonts on all those submissions.

Joselyn Vaughn said...

I like to read classics in large print. I find it easier to stay in the story, especially when I come to a part that I would have skimmed in smaller print.

For students, I think it is more rewarding to turn pages faster, too.

Zelda Benjamin said...

Reading the classics in large print is a great idea, Joselyn. I skim a lot when I'm reading. I think I'll be spending more time in the lg print section of my library.

Beate Boeker said...

Zelda, I read my books any size they come, but on my computer screen, I make them so large that you can read across my shoulder even if you are at the other end of the room. I do this because I love to write with my feet up and so I'm pretty far away from the screen myself - but my friends find it hilarious.

Jane Myers Perrine said...

Zelda--I was just going to comment that the ability to change font size is one of the reasons I love my Kindle. At time, my eyes prefer a large font but often they are happy with a smaller one--which means I don't have to hit the "turn page" key as often.

Christine Bush said...

The bigger the font the better anymore. I have old eyes! I love the idea of the Kindle for that reason, I think. Thanks for the post!