Ann and Friends

Stories for Beginning Braille Readers by Ann Gelles

This series of stories was created to help Braille students focus on the alphabet characters and contractions before introducing them to more complex Braille signs. Alphabet exclusive contractions include n for not, w for will, gd for good, ll for little, fr for friend and m for more. Since r and z are troublesome letters for most beginning braille readers, you will notice that man of the main characters begin with the letters r or z. Some stories are imaginary and other stories are about real animal friends. A comprehension test is provided for each story.

Online text and quiz of Ann and Friends Stories for Beginning Braille Readers, presented in large type for low-vision readers, can be printed on a regular printer or embossed in Grade 1 or fully-contracted Braille, as needed. MP3 and AVI are provided for those who would like to download readings of these stories.

Download the entire book of Ann and Friends: Ann and Friends Book (DOCX)

Individual Ann and Friends stories:

  1. Max
    Max, a playful cat introduces the contractions can, do, good, friend, little, very, have, and will.
  2. Rex
    Rex a lively puppy introduces the alphabet contractions not, little, will, after, do, not, like, always, either and that.
  3. Zola
    Zola is a bunny who likes to sip cola. Alphabet exclusive contractions include good, friend, very, every, afternoon, like, but, today, will, not, said, more, the f-o-r sign, tomorrow, can and again.
  4. Zip
    Zip is a pet ant who likes to zigzag every place. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are very, little, just, today, can, every, will, go, the a-n-d sign, that, good, friend, already, almost, like and him.
  5. Zeek
    Zeek is a friendly bee. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are said, that, again, friend, do, not, like, great, friendly, so, him, the a-n-d sign, also, us, would, not, will, together, go, after and him.
  6. Roni
    Roni is a pony who likes to eat bologna. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are but, more, also, every, afternoon, together, o’clock, across, like, that, little, always, so, good and after.
  7. Zac
    Zac is a duck who pecks my toes so I’ll get up to feed him. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are about, quite, the f-o-r sign, will, the a-n-d sign, that, very, so, immediately, can, after, also, together, every, afternoon, after, can’t, friends and friend.
  8. Ruby
    Ruby is a lively puppy who loves people. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are just, today, very, quite, friendly, people, the a-n-d sign, do, not, like, that, together, o’clock, after, it, tonight, you and great.
  9. Randy
    Randy is blind boy who loves to make friends with the animals at the zoo.
  10. Lucky
    Lucky is a show horse who isn’t so lucky. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are the w-i-t-h sign, not, very, one, the f-o-r sign, about, quite, young, that, the o-f sign, the t-h-e sign, almost, every, day, so, can, work, together, have, sometimes, just, right, already, would, rather, received, some, times, and from.
  11. Bossy
    Bossy is a baby calf who is always hungry. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are days, mother, not, the w-i-t-h sign, us, will, not, times, from, always, o’clock, every, the a-n-d sign, people, do, that, about and him.
  12. Honey
    Honey is a guide dog who gets into trouble and helps Ann get around safely. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are name, one, quite, right, very, the a-n-d sign, young, works, every, day, go, from, as, can, like, people, do, almost, ever, the w-i-t-h sign, the t-h-e sign, the o-f sign, its, either, time, us, and after.
  13. Diamond
    Diamond is a working mother dog that protects goats from wild animals.
  14. Zodiac
    Zodiac is Kyle’s lab who loves to go hunting and fishing. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are from, name, friend, so, that, could, your, you, him, not, young, had, already, many, would, day, the w-i-t-h sign, the t-h-e sign, the a-n-d sign, quite, about, day, under, the o-f sign, little, it, there, afternoon, himself, as, more, and together.
  15. Surprise visitor
    Rosie is a skunk who loves cat food. Alphabet exclusive contractions included are the t-h-e sign, world, the o-f sign, many, people, their, cannot, have, but, one, had, it, will, father, mother, young, very.
  16. Lance
    Lance is an old hound dog with no people family.
  17. Yoda
    Yoda is a true story about a mischievous homeless kitten. Dot 4-6 contractions.
  18. Yuki
    Yuki is a cockatoo that lives with Pat.
  19. Noelani
    Noelani is a new guide dog for Ann.
  20. Bon-Bon
    Bon-Bon is a pet rabbit.
  21. Harry
    Harry is new pet cat that Maureen rescued.
  22. Annie
    Annie is a baby goat, called a kid.
  23. Everybody Sleeps
    All animals need sleep to heal from the stresses of the day.
  24. Earhart
    Earhart is a new guide dog for Ann.

MP3 Audio Downloads of Stories for Beginning Braille Readers

Selected stories from above, read by students at the California School for the Blind.

Video Stories for Beginning Braille Readers

Selected stories from above, read by students at the California School for the Blind.