Britain’s most beloved bedtime stories have been unveiled, with a classic childhood favorite emerging as the top choice. The well-known monster with fearsome tusks and teeth surpassed “The Tiger Who Came To Tea,” “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” and “Paddington Bear” to claim the number one spot. Noteworthy mentions in the top ten include “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Three Little Pigs,” and “Peter Pan,” highlighting the enduring appeal of timeless tales.
A survey conducted by the charity Guide Dogs highlighted the enduring tradition of bedtime stories in British households, with one in four parents reading to their children every night. The survey also revealed that nearly all parents and grandparents view this ritual as a precious bonding moment, with 88% considering it the highlight of their day.
However, the study shed light on the challenges faced by adults with vision impairments, with 43% feeling excluded from participating in storytime with their children or grandchildren. Many have resorted to using audiobooks (68%), magnifiers (40%), or relying on others to read on their behalf (33%).
To address this issue, Guide Dogs has expanded its CustomEyes Books service to include large print editions for adults with vision impairments. This initiative aims to enable individuals to enjoy reading aloud to children by offering over 6,000 titles that can be personalized to meet individual needs in terms of font type, size, spacing, and color, all at the same retail price as standard editions.
One satisfied user, Becky, 42, shared how CustomEyes transformed her family’s evenings. Living with albinism and sight loss, Becky previously struggled to read to her children but now enjoys the bonding experience of storytime thanks to the service.
Kerry Bevan, head of support services at Guide Dogs, emphasized the significance of bedtime stories in fostering connections, sparking imagination, and upholding family traditions. The availability of CustomEyes for adults ensures that individuals with vision impairments can partake in these special moments without exclusion.
Interested individuals can access CustomEyes through a free Guide Dogs membership. More information is available at the following link: [https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/help-for-children-and-families/living-independently/customeyes-books/](https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/help-for-children-and-families/living-independently/customeyes-books/).