“Helping the Bear” inclusive reading project at Povilas Višinskis Public Library

In 2026, an exceptional publication by Povilas Višinskis Public Library was introduced: the collection of fictional stories Helping the Bear and Other Stories. It is the first publication in Lithuania, and one of the first in Europe, created specifically for sensory reading. Published as part of an international project implemented by Povilas Višinskis Public Library, the book reflects the aim of creating an inclusive and accessible reading culture for everyone, as well as a different approach to children’s literature. The stories in the book are designed so that they can be experienced not only by reading the text, but also through various senses: sound, touch, smell, and movement.

In this way, reading becomes a multisensory experience, allowing children to engage with a story in different ways. This format is especially important for children who experience the world differently — at their own pace and through different kinds of experiences.

A Book Born from the Idea of Inclusion

Libraries have been actively working in the field of inclusion for many years and strive to provide services adapted to all readers. According to Urtė Šulskienė, the library’s cultural project manager, it was precisely this aim that inspired the idea for the new publication.

“Sensory reading programmes are increasingly being organised in libraries, but practice has shown that finding texts suitable for such readings is not easy. Most books are not created with this method of reading in mind, so librarians have to adapt texts themselves and look for other creative solutions. That is how the idea emerged to create stories that, from the very beginning, would be written with their adaptation for sensory reading in mind,” said Urtė.

This idea soon went beyond the boundaries of a single library and became the international project Heroes Unleashed: Sensory Reading Programs in Libraries (HERUN), bringing together partners from Maribor Public Library in Slovenia, Porto Municipal Public Library in Portugal, and Lviv Regional Roman Ivanychuk Youth Library in Ukraine.

The publication was therefore created by artists from these countries and Lithuania. Each story was created by a writer and an illustrator from different countries, which allows the book to be described as an expression of intercultural dialogue. Collaboration between the writer and illustrator often began during online meetings. It was this spontaneous creative combination that gave rise to unexpected artistic solutions and new creative connections.

Stories About Self-Discovery and Friendship

The collection contains twelve literary stories. Each of them introduces the reader to a unique character. The first story is about a bear who, while climbing a tree to get honey, falls and breaks both of his paws. Although piglets rush to help him, the bear keeps trying to manage on his own. Eventually, he explains that he feels best when he can do something independently — then he feels proud of himself and happy. This story speaks subtly about human dignity and self-worth. Its author, I. Plohl, has himself experienced a serious injury and therefore deeply understands such experiences.

Lithuanian writer E. Daciūtė tells the story of a little dog named Daphne, who unexpectedly loses her tail. While searching for it, Daphne meets many animals — a cat, a peacock, a piglet, a pony, and even a chameleon — who offer to lend her their tails. But none of them fits. Daphne finally sees her own tail when she returns home: it is hanging on the clothesline.

“The story came about when I once saw a dog in a café. Its tail looked as if it belonged to another dog’s body. The outline of the story started forming in my mind,” the writer revealed, adding that each of us is special and different.

The book also features other characters: a girl named Zagi, who dreams of various professions; Mr Mole, who loses his glasses and can no longer work at the lost-and-found office; Cha the chameleon, who does not know colours; a girl named Sonia, who is able to calm the horse Thunder; and a little lion who receives a handful of soil for his birthday and only later understands that it is a wonderful gift.

All the stories speak about friendship, self-acceptance, courage, and the ability to understand others.

The Distinctive Features of Sensory Stories

Such stories are characterised by a clear structure, simple and rhythmic language, abundant sound words, and elements that awaken the senses. The language of sensory stories is vivid yet simple, with many interjections and expressive sounds.

“Each story sounds, moves, smells, and vibrates in such a way that children can experience it through all their senses. The characters speak about important things through repeated, rhythmic sounds, while the world opens up through rustling, thudding, clicking, or drops of water on the forehead,” says psychologist and applied behaviour analysis specialist Virginija Juškevičiūtė, describing the texts in the collection.

This kind of language allows readers to become more easily involved in the story and to create an emotional connection with the book’s characters.

Illustrations also play an important role in a publication intended for sensory reading. The book’s artists created them so that they would be clear, not overloaded with details, and would help children understand the story more easily. Designer Vaiva Kovieraitė-Trumpė, who was responsible for the book’s layout, sought to ensure that the book would be not only aesthetically appealing, but also a safe tool for children’s discovery and learning.

An Empathetic Space for Communities

Such publications are important for libraries not only as cultural initiatives, but also as a strategic step in strengthening their role in society. The modern library is increasingly understood as a community space where new experiences are created, social connections are nurtured, and inclusion and empathy are encouraged.

The international HERUN project, coordinated by Povilas Višinskis Public Library, included the publication of a book for sensory reading as one of its activities. This enables the library to actively contribute to reducing social exclusion and to create opportunities for reading for children for whom traditional literature may sometimes be less accessible.

By publishing Helping the Bear and Other Stories, the library extended a helping hand to all readers, inviting them to experience and discover. The publication is also accompanied by sensory reading scenarios and methodological material that will help librarians, teachers, and parents organise interactive readings independently.

U. Šulskienė, the editor of the book, particularly emphasised the significance of the publication for young readers in Ukraine: “Sensory reading also has a therapeutic function, so it can be very useful for children experiencing psychological trauma due to the ongoing war.”

The European Significance of the Project

The book was published in Lithuanian, Slovenian, Portuguese, and Ukrainian, while the electronic version is also available in English: https://www.savb.lt/pagalba-meskinui-ir-kitos-istorijos/. A total of 600 copies of the book were published in the four languages. The publications were received by all partner libraries, while the Slovenian partner will also publish an additional print run at its own expense for other libraries in Slovenia.

Povilas Višinskis Public Library has become one of the first libraries in Europe to systematically develop sensory reading methodology at an international level. Project funds were also used to organise international training for library specialists, provide partner libraries with special sensory materials, and create social stories — visual publications that help children become familiar in advance with the library environment and staff.