Three Bright Pom Poms

Miniature mylar pom poms illustrate this CVI-friendly board book.

Texture books are board books with fabric, fur, leather, or other materials glued to each page. They introduce very young children to the concept of a book with pages. They also help children who are blind or have low vision learn early tactile skills, which are critical for understanding braille.

This texture book is based on a simple counting rhyme, “Three Bright Pom Poms.” The pom poms are made of mylar so they’re especially attractive to children who have CVI, and they make a crinkling sound when you touch them. Cats like to play with the pom poms too, which is why they’re sold as cat toys.

Supplies

Black cardstock, poster board, mat board, or craft foam sheets
Mylar cat toys, found HERE or at some pet stores
Craft glue or a hot glue gun
Hole puncher, craft scissors
Avery #15264 printable labels
Ribbon or yarn to bind the book

Directions

First, cut the cardstock, poster board, mat board or craft foam sheets into nine 5x7-inch pieces. We chose black because of the visual contrast, but you can use any color. With a hole puncher, make two holes on the left side (the short edge) of each piece. Make sure you punch the holes in the same place on each page, so they line up for the binding.

With a computer printer, print out the words to the rhyme using our template and Avery #15264 printable labels.

Attach the title label, “Three Bright Pom Poms,” to the cover of your book. Glue three pom poms underneath the title.

On the back of the cover, attach the next label, “Three bright pom poms lined up in a row…” On the next page, glue on three pom poms.

On the back of this page attach the label starting with, “Then one had to go.” On the next page glue on two pom poms.

On the back of this page attach the last label, and on the next page glue on one pom pom.

Bind your book with ribbon or yarn. Don’t use metal ring binders because they can be a choking hazard.

Now, read the poem out loud to your child, turning the pages and counting the number of pom poms together. Talk about how shiny they are. Do they make a crinkly sound when you touch or shake them?

If you have leftover pom poms you can put them in a sensory bin with ribbon and bows or hang them from a Little Room.