International Competition of Tactile illustrated Books

illustration tactile

Welcome to the Typhlo & Tactus website. Here you can learn about the history and present of a spectacular and unique international project on tactile illustrated books for blind children! 

What does such a book look like? The illustrations are made in relief and the text in Braille so that they are accessible for tactile exploring.

A group of experts from seven European countries has been working on the project for a number of years: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and United Kingdom. This T&T group organises international competitions for creators of tactile illustrated books.

Join us and create a tactile illustrated book! Take part in the 17th edition of the international T&T competition which will be held in Prague in October 2026!

Is this your first time participating in the competition? No problem! On this website you can find tips for making tactile illustrated books, photos of successful books from previous editions, instructions on how to participate and contacts to experts who will support you during the creation process.

Many thanks to all the participants!

For your inspiration, see results of the 16th edition held in Lublin, Poland in 2024:

Winners 2024

1rst Prize
« Les chaussettes d’Oskar (oskar’s socks) »
Carmen GAYO RATON, text by Anne Ferrier
BELGIUM

2nd Prize
« Jak Zachranit Vedce (How to rescue a scientist) »
Michaela Samalova
CZECH REPUBLIC

3rd Prize
« Il gatto dal collo lungo (the long-necked cat)»
Laura Burroni
ITALIA

Discover them in pictures!

2024 special mentions from the jury

  • Didactic mention
    • “L’apparato” Andrea Sanchez Elias – ITALY
    • “Your help is needed” Margaret Sharps – UNITED KINGDOM
  • Artistic mention
    • “Jeux de trames” Catherine Brison – BELGIUM
    • “Flow” Kristyna Adàmkovà – CZECH REPUBLIC
  • Book games mention

    • “Le pays des Z’outils” Camille Morandeau, Celia Maçon and Ninon Gondal – FRANCE
    • “Kolm Mängu” Maris Wiladsen – ESTONIA
  • Sensitive or current subject mention

    • “A lenda da Vitoria”  Rosana Mont’Alverne, Marie Ines Piekas and Naotake Fukushima – BRAZIL
    • “De schat van Teun” Marion Brillemans and Ann M Conefrey – NETHERLANDS
  • Tactile boldness mention

    • “Le pays des Z’outils” Camille Morandeau, Célia Maçon and Ninon Gondal – FRANCE
    • “Pinpin joue à cache-cache” Monique Sommer and Marcelle Peters– BELGIUM

Discover them in pictures!

PROJECT LEADER THIS YEAR

KNIHOVNA HMATOVÝCH KNÍŽEK (Czech Republic)

WHOLE PROJECT FOUNDER

Les Doigts Qui Rêvent (France)