OUR LIBRARY
We are lucky enough to own a good selection of books beyond words. Please use the link above to visit their you tube channel for stories and hints/tips. Service users and staff can borrow from our office anytime and we are always open to suggestions for new titles. See which books we have at the bottom of this page.
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Thinking in pictures
People who can’t read or who don’t like written words are often very good at reading pictures. That’s why there are no words in their picture stories.
Their books all tell a story, but they also let the reader tell their own story – the one they see in the pictures. This can tell you a lot about a person’s inner world and their understanding of situations. There is plenty to talk about and each story explores feelings and relationships as well as giving information.
All the pictures used in their books are tested by people who find pictures easier than words, to make sure they are easy to understand.
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Removing barriers
For someone who struggles with words, there are a lot of barriers to getting the right health or social care and support. Even when a person with a problem reaches someone who can help, like a doctor, a social worker or a therapist, there can be communication problems and anxieties on both sides.
By telling the whole story in pictures, each Books Beyond Words narrative gives people the chance to work together and explore different types of situations:
everyday opportunities and experiences
things that are about to happen, like going to hospital or appearing in court
life decisions, like having a relationship or agreeing to an operation.
things that have already happened, like abuse or losing someone you love
How to read a Books Beyond Words
There is no right or wrong way to read to read a Beyond Words book. Remember it is not necessary to be able to read the words.
1. Some people are not used to reading books. Encourage the reader to hold the book themselves, to turn the pages at their own pace, and to read the story they see in each picture.
2. Whether you are reading the book with one person or with a group, encourage them to tell the story in their own words. You will discover what each person thinks is happening, what they already know, and how they feel. You may think something different is happening in the pictures yourself, but that doesn’t matter. Wait to see if their ideas change as the story develops. Don’t challenge the reader(s) or suggest their ideas are wrong.
3. Some pictures may be more difficult to understand. It can help to prompt the people you are supporting, for example:
I wonder who that is?
I wonder what is happening?
I wonder what he or she is doing now?
I wonder how he or she is feeling?
Do you feel like that? Has it happened to you/ your friend/ your family?
4. You don't have to read the whole book in one sitting. Allow people enough time to follow the pictures at their own pace.
5. Some people will not be able to follow the story, but they may be able to understand some of the pictures. Stay a little longer with the pictures that interest them.
MAKING FRIENDS
Neil is desperate to make new friends and be close to other people, but he just doesn't know how. He tries meeting people in the park, but when he approaches them and tries to touch them, they are frightened. With the help of his friend Steve, Neil learns about the right ways to make friends and how to behave safely with people he doesn't know yet.
WHEN SOMEBODY DIES
Everyone feels sad when somebody dies, and people with learning disabilities have the same feelings of grief as anyone else. This book tells the story of Mary, who is very upset when someone she loves dies. She is encouraged by a friend to and see a counsellor. Her counselling sessions help her to feel less sad. Later on in the book, Mary's friend Frank also loses someone he is close to. He is given comfort and companionship by his friends, and learns to cope with life better as time passes.
SPEAKING UP FOR MYSELF
The combination of having a learning disability and being from an ethnic minority group can make it even more difficult to get good services. If you know someone in this situation, you can use this book to help them challenge discrimination by service providers.
The book describes two encounters, but the principles that are illustrated can apply to countless situations. In the first scenario, three friends get what they want in a cafe by being assertive and not giving up easily. in the second, one of the friends is helped to resolve problems dealing with her bank.
I CAN GET THROUGH IT
This is a story of a woman whose life is suddenly disturbed by an act of abuse. The pictures follow her from the initial incident and her reactions to it, to her visits to a therapist, who enable her to disclose what happened and after time, to recover from it. The pictures are designed to help the reader to ask questions or share their concerns.
HUG ME, TOUCH ME
Janet is desperate to make new friends and be close to other people, but she doesn't know how. When she approaches people in the park and tries to touch them, they are frightened. Janet feels devastated and lonely. With the help of her friend Monica, Janet learns about the right ways to make friends and how to behave safely with people she doesn't know yet.
GEORGE GETS SMART
This is a story about what can happen to a man when he does not keep himself clean. People do not need to be able to read in order to understand the story. In the book we follow Georg'e daily life - at home, at work, on the bus and in the pub. George likes being with people and does not understand why they seem to avoid him. He often feels lonely and unhappy, and sometime feels unwell. George's life changes when he is helped to be clean and to wear appropriate clothes. Not only is he happy about the way he now looks and feels, but his work mates and friends want to be with him. George enjoys their company, and no longer feels so isolated.
FINDING A SAFE PLACE FROM ABUSE
Katie meets David and falls in love. She moves in with him, but the relationship turns difficult and dangerous when David begins to steal her money and hurt her. Katie quickly gets help through her GP. After a stay in a refuge, Katie begins a new life with a new sense of confidence.
FEELING CROSS AND SORTING IT OUT
Ben doesn't like being rushed and when Paul won't make time for a chat, Ben gets cross and upset. Ben asks Jane for help and she helps them sort it out. Now Paul understands what is important for Ben and what has been worrying him. The story ends with them choosing a new activity to do together.
WHEN DAD DIED
When Dad Died takes a sensitive and straightforward approach to death in the family. The pictures tell the story of the death of a parent in a simple but moving way. The approach is non denominational, and illustrates a cremation. The companion book, When Mum Died, illustrates a burial.
JENNY SPEAKS OUT
Jenny has moved into a new home, but she is very unhappy and unsettled. Things come to a head when her support worker finds a photo of dad.
Sensitively, the support worker helps Jenny to feel secure enough to talk about why she is upset. Jenny discloses that she was sexually abused by her father. The story shows how the warmth and trust of her support worker and friends begin a healing process which will bring hope and a fresh start for Jenny.
SONIA'S FEELING SAD
Sonia is feeling sad and worried. Her family want to find some help for her and take her to see the doctor. The doctor gives her antidepressant medication. Sonia does not feel better and returns to the doctor. This time he decides to send her to see a counsellor. After some time to talk about her worries Sonia feels much better.
RON'S FEELING BLUE
This book shows what happens to Ron when he loses interest in doing things because he is depressed. It also shows how he is helped to feel better. Like many other people he is offered counselling. An alternative story line shows him taking antidepressant medication.
BOB TELLS ALL
Bob has moved to a group home, but his erratic behaviour and terrifying nightmares unsettle the other people living there. Sensitively, a social worker helps Bob unravel his painful past as a victim of sexual abuse. Bob discovers that talking to people he can trust begins a slow but positive healing process.
ANN HAS DEMENTIA
The main part of the book is a story about Ann who is diagnosed with dementia. We see her GP and her supporter trying to provide the right care for Ann in the early days of her dementia until Ann becomes so confused that she moves into residential care.
AM I GOING TO DIE
This book tells the story of John, who has a learning disability. John is dying. The pictures follow him in his illness and his final days. They are designed to help the reader make sense of what is happening to them or someone they know who is ill. The pictures help them to ask questions or share their concerns.
