On July 29, a presentation was held in Kyiv for Ukraine’s first printed children’s book featuring integrated video translation into Ukrainian Sign Language — "Omm. The Spirit of the Irpin Forest".
This day left us with incredibly warm feelings. We saw what matters most—the children’s genuine delight. The children eagerly turned the pages, explored the new format, followed the sign language interpretation, and discovered the magical world of Omma for themselves. By the way, the book and a toy featuring the main character went home with the children who attended the event.
Their smiles, surprised looks, and unbridled joy were the best proof of just how essential are accessible books — with sign language integration. Books in which a child who uses sign language can not only look at the illustrations but also fully understand the story, feel the characters’ emotions, learn, and experience the plot on an equal footing with other children.
A highlight of the event was a gingerbread decorating workshop. In addition, each child received a unique gift from the book’s author and artist, Tasha Torba (Natalia Cherednyuk). She not only signed copies of the book but also created a personalized drawing for each young reader. So the children went home not just with a book, but with a personal memento of their meeting with the author..
The nongovernmental organization “Public movement "Social Unity” would like to express its sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in this event, supported the project, helped bring it to fruition, and shared this important day with us. We cannot thank the PostCode Ukraine team enough for their support.
For us, this presentation is not the end, but the beginning of a new journey.
By the way, we’re already planning presentations in Lviv and Odesa. We’d be happy to welcome anyone who’d like to come and check out this new book format.
We’ve also started receiving inquiries from other Ukrainian authors who are interested in adapting their books into Ukrainian Sign Language. We’re truly grateful for this interest, openness, and commitment. After all, every inquiry like this means there could be more accessible children’s literature in Ukraine.
We dream that books translated into Ukrainian Sign Language will find their way into libraries, schools, children’s spaces, and homes throughout Ukraine. We want children who use sign language to have a wide selection of stories, to be able to discover Ukrainian authors, and to feel that the world of books is open to them, too.
“Ommm. The Spirit of the Irpin Forest” was the first book in this new format. But we’re confident that more will surely follow.
Because accessibility starts with a simple yet incredibly important feeling:
“This story was created for me, too.”
