Seeing Sense

Book excerpt: Foreword by Sir Philip Pullman, CBE, FRSL Illustrated foreword by Chris Riddell, OBE The burgeoning field of visual literacy can be universally understood across a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, regardless of traditional literacy levels. A key tool for navigating digital devices, there is often an antipathy surrounding visual literacy borne out of stigma and at times, intimidation. Seeing Sense brings together research and best practice from different organisations and institutions all over the world to showcase the role of visual literacy as a tool for promoting reading. It will be key in raising awareness among librarians and education practitioners, promoting aspiration and achievement among the children and young people they work with. Coverage includes: — an overview of visual literacy as a tool for reading development — the role of visual literacy in design and display within libraries and resource centres — advice for library and information professionals on how to gain greater confidence in using and understanding visual literacy as part of strategies to engage readers — a number of practical case studies to illustrate the power and potency of visual literacy as a key tool for making reading accessible, engaging, and appealing for all.