30 August 2016
W. F. Howes to Publish Eighth Harry Potter Story as First Ever Dyslexic Readers’ Edition
In brief:
· W. F. Howes Ltd to publish the first ever ‘Dyslexic Readers’ Edition increasing accessibility of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two
· Based on new research from the University of South Wales. Features include specialist fonts, typesetting, paper, layout and glossary
· Officially endorsed by the British Dyslexia Association
· Released on 1st September 2016 – widely available for libraries and consumers
Leicester UK, 1st July 2016 – W. F. Howes Ltd, the UK’s leading publisher of Audiobooks and Large Print, today announced it will be publishing a new ‘Dyslexic Readers’ Edition of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One & Two (Special Rehearsal Edition), the script-book of the London-based play. The new edition is in an accessible Large Print format developed on new research from the University of South Wales and the British Dyslexia Association.
It is estimated that around 15% of the UK population have Dyslexia or Dyspraxia (Source: British Dyslexia Association, www.bdadyslexia.org.uk) and the newly developed Dyslexic Reader format greatly improves the reading experience with features such as specialist fonts, paper, layout. Its larger print and formatting also benefit those with conditions such as visual impairment, Parkinson’s disease, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, brain injury and Cerebral palsy.
J.K. Rowling has expressed her desire for the script book of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child to be as accessible as possible to as wide a readership as possible, so she is delighted about the publication of this edition.
Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will open in London's West End on 30th July 2016.
The accessible format will be published on the 1st of September, and is broadly available for libraries and consumers online. The release coincides with leading sight loss charity RNIB’s (Royal National Institute of Blind People) giant print and braille formats making J. K. Rowling’s new work more accessible than ever before.
Dominic White, Head of Publishing and Commerce, W. F. Howes Ltd:
“We’re proud to be publishing the first ever Dyslexic Readers’ Edition for J. K. Rowling and making the eighth Harry Potter story accessible to the huge number of people with dyslexia.”
David Shelley, Chief Executive Officer, Little, Brown Group & Orion:
“I am so pleased that W. F. Howes will be making their editions of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child more accessible for dyslexic readers, allowing the playscript to be read and enjoyed by even more people.”
Margaret Malpas, Chair of the British Dyslexia Association
"This is a marvellous initiative opening a world of pleasure for dyslexic children and giving them great motivation to persist with reading which will improve their skill."
Professor Amanda Kirby, University of South Wales :
“Congratulations on leading the way by providing this inclusive book. It opens up opportunities for both children and adults with dyslexia and other learning difficulties to enjoy and be a part of the world of Harry Potter.”
- ENDS –
About W. F. Howes Ltd:
W. F. Howes Ltd, a subsidiary of Recorded Books Inc., is the UK’s leading audiobook, digital services and large print publisher, releasing around 60 new unabridged audiobooks every month under a number of imprints including Clipper, Jammer, Avid, Lamplight, Nudged, Jammer Teen and Whole Story Audiobooks. The publisher’s digital arm provides eAudiobook and eBook lending to the library market through the OneClickdigital platform, alongside several other platforms specialising in same-day newspapers and magazines, adult learning and language tutorial programs. For more information, visit www.wfhowes.co.uk or email [email protected].
For further information and images please contact:
E. [email protected]
T. 01664 423000
W. www.wfhowes.co.uk or www.wholestoryaudio.co.uk
Twitter: @WFhowes @WholeStoryAudio