ZAGREB, February 5, 2018 – The first 3D printed tactile picture book, based on the story by Croatian children’s writer Ivana Brlić Mažuranić “St Nicholas’ Crozier” and designed by pupils and teachers of the primary school “Pećine” in Rijeka, was presented at Zagreb’s Museum for the Blind this past Friday.
The Rijeka school, whose pupils designed the book with innovative solutions for visually impaired children, has a section for children with visual impairments as well as the country’s first library with tactile picture books and Braille children’s books.
The tactile picture book project is one of the activities that are part of Rijeka’s successful bid for the European Capital of Culture 2020.
Speaking on behalf of the school, Jasna Vukonić-Žunić said the picture book would be translated into English, Italian and Slovenian for the purpose of its international promotion.
The tactile picture book, containing 3D printed story motives and accompanying texts in Braille and texts for those without visual impairments, also includes a special mobile application with an audio recording of the story.
It took 12 hours to print each of the book’s 10 pages.
Sven Maričić, a pioneer of 3D technology in medicine in Croatia, who participated in the project as a volunteer, called on everyone with 3D printing equipment to help in the project so as to make the book reach as many readers as possible.
