Thorndike Press Introduces First-Time Large Print Youth Titles in Spanish to Support English Language Learners

Public Library Association Conference, COLUMBUS, Ohio – With almost 3.8 million native Spanish speakers making up the vast majority of English language learners (ELL) in American schools today, Thorndike Press de Gale, part of Cengage Group, has launched its first collection of large print youth books in Spanish. Designed based on feedback from librarians and educators, these new Spanish titles support emerging bilingual students in their language development process to become proficient in English and improve accessibility, equity and inclusion for school districts.

Simplify Reading for Emerging Bilingual Learners

Large print books can have a significant impact on ELL students' language development. According a recent study, conducted by Project Tomorrow, nearly two-thirds of teachers reported that using large print texts led to faster acquisition of English by their students. Additionally, 42% of teachers noted improvements in decoding skills in ELL students who read large print ( see infographic ELL statistics).

“Reading books with relatable stories and characters helps kids connect,” she said. I Medina, author of three titles in the new collection. “When books published in their native language are available for use at school, students feel seen as part of the school community. They can stay connected to their own cultural environment while bonding with their new classmates, regardless of language. The story of a strange seventh grader who can't dance gives them the opportunity to share, empathize, and practice the communication skills they need to thrive in our multicultural world.”

Thorndike Press Spanish youth large print The books are specifically designed to help students develop their language skills. Providing students with accessible reading materials in their native language helps young readers improve their vocabulary, grammatical skills, and reading comprehension, as well as helping teachers support emerging bilinguals in all reading skills.

“By offering young people large print in Spanish, we create an inclusive environment that recognizes and celebrates linguistic diversity while ensuring that all students have access to the same educational resources,” said Donna Gray, library coordinator for the Library System. New York City School Libraries. “Making large print YA titles available in Spanish demonstrates a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and supporting diverse learning needs among our students. Ultimately, it enriches their educational experience and creates a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all.”

Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion for English Language Learners

The Thorndike Press Spanish Large Print Youth Collection contains 17 highly acclaimed books, including 11 youth titles for grades 3-7 (ages 11-13) and six young adult titles for grades 8-12 (ages 14-13). Adults). All of these new books fall into the fiction genre and are available in both English and Spanish.

Some of the new titles in Spanish include:

Intermediate degrees in Spanish

Spanish titles for young adults

See the entire Spanish collection.

Thorndike Press Spanish Youth Large Print titles are completely unabridged and printed in 16-point font, using high-contrast black ink on high-opacity paper. An attractive synopsis on the back cover introduces readers to each book, and the text features expanded word spacing and 1/3 more line spacing than standard editions. This improved readability reduces eye strain, allows readers to focus on the content rather than struggling to decipher individual words, and supports family literacy by making it easier to share a physical book and read it together. Because the books are in Spanish, parents who are still fluent in English can still support their children's reading.

“We are delighted to offer these large print titles for young people in Spanish to support English learners. “We believe in the power of inclusive literature to empower emerging bilingual learners,” said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager of Gale. “By providing accessible reading materials in both English and Spanish, we are creating a supportive learning environment that meets the unique needs of emerging bilingual students that improves literacy skills and fosters a love of reading.”

All new Spanish large print titles from Thorndike Press, along with their English editions, are available through Thorndike's website and all major wholesalers. Thorndike plans to release more large-print youth titles in Spanish later this year.

Thorndike will display its Spanish large-print youth titles at the Public Library Association (PLA) conference, April 3-5 in Columbus, Ohio, in Gale's booth #2001.

For more information, visit Thorndike Press Spanish Youth Large Print. Web page.

About Cengage and Gale Group

Cengage Group, an educational technology company serving millions of students in 165 countries, advances the way students learn through quality digital experiences. The company currently serves the K-12, higher education, professional, library, English language education, and workforce training markets worldwide. Gale, part of Cengage Group, provides libraries with original, curated content, as well as modern research tools and technology that are crucial to connecting libraries to learning and students to libraries. For more than 65 years, Gale has partnered with libraries around the world to power the discovery of knowledge and ideas where, when and how people need them. Gale has 500 employees worldwide and its primary operations are located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. For more information please visit www.gale.com.

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About Thorndike Press

As a leading large print publisher, Thorndike Press of Gale, part of Cengage Group, helps readers of all ages enjoy books. Publishing unabridged large print reprints for young adult and middle grade readers began in 1999, and our catalog of more than 1,000 titles grows monthly with high-interest fiction and nonfiction books, including contemporary classics, award-winners, and bestsellers. Founded in Thorndike, Maine, in 1977, our commitment to producing high-quality, 100% guaranteed large print books supports young readers as they develop the skills necessary to become successful, confident, lifelong readers.

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