History Most Famous Pets - new book by Lenny Lenski

Welcome back everybody for another deep dive. Always a pleasure. You know, last time we had a lot of fun digging into Lenny Lenski's trivia. Yeah. But, today, we're gonna kinda shift gears a bit.

Mhmm. We're looking at the brand new edition of his book Okay. Specifically designed for readers with dyslexia. Oh, wow. Yeah.

And it's really fascinating how much thought went into making history genuinely accessible Oh, to a much wider audience than maybe he was reaching before. I think it speaks to his overall commitment to inclusivity, which we've seen in his other work. Yeah. And, you know, right in the preface, he calls it a dyslexia friendly reading experience. Mhmm.

But he doesn't just talk about it. He actually backs it up with some pretty interesting design choices. Right. He walks the walk, doesn't he? Like, there are so many specific elements he's incorporated Exactly.

To address the challenges that readers with dyslexia can face. Okay. So let's dive into some of those specifics. Yeah. Because I was looking through the preface, and one of the things that jumped out of me was the font uses a special font called open dyslexic.

Yes. That's a really interesting one. And I'm curious, like, I see fancy font all the time, but what makes this one so special? Well, it's not just about aesthetics. It's really about function.

Okay. So you have to think about it from the perspective of someone with dyslexia where letters might tend to flip or reverse in their mind. Okay. Yeah. I can see how that would make reading really difficult.

It makes it a real struggle. Yeah. And open dyslexic is designed with weighted bottoms on the letters Okay. To help prevent that flipping. Oh, so it kinda anchors them.

Exactly. It anchors them immediately. The text much easier to follow. So much easier to follow. It's a game changer for many people.

Wow. That's amazing. So it's like this tiny little detail is actually making a huge difference Huge difference. In terms of readability. Absolutely.

And he doesn't stop there. Right? I mean, we're just talking about font, but Right. What else did he do? Well, another simple but effective choice he made was using cream colored paper.

Okay. Now I'm really curious. Why cream colored paper? Because it reduces glare. Oh, I see.

And glare can be a real distraction for anyone. Oh, yeah. For sure. Especially when you're reading on a screen. Right?

Definitely on a screen. But even with a physical book, bright white paper can be really tiring. Uh-huh. But for readers with dyslexia, it can be even worse, making reading incredibly tiring and difficult. I never even would have thought about that.

Yeah. I think it makes perfect sense. Yeah. You know what I mean? Like, I've never experienced that specific challenge.

Right. But you're right. Bright white paper can be hard on the eyes. Exactly. And for someone with dyslexia, it can actually exacerbate those reading difficulties.

So this simple switch to cream colored paper can make a huge difference in their reading comfort. Exactly. It's about creating a more soothing reading experience. That's incredible. And it makes you realize how much we take for granted, you know, when it comes to reading.

You know, we don't think about the color of the paper or the specific font. Right. And there's more. Right? Oh, yes.

There's more. He talks about optimized spacing, which I know can sound a bit vague. Yeah. What does that even mean? Well, essentially, he's talking about increasing the space between the lines Okay.

And the space between the letters. Oh, so it's not all just crammed together on the page. Right. For someone with dyslexia, that visual clutter can just be completely overwhelming. I can see how that would make it much harder to follow.

Yeah. It's like trying to read a wall of text. Yeah. Exactly. Giving those words more room to breathe Right.

Makes a world of difference. It's like giving your eyes a break. Right. So it's not just about the letters themselves. Right.

It's about how those letters are presented Exactly. On the page. How those words flow together. Gotcha. And he also keeps the sentence structure really concise.

Right. He avoids overly complicated wording. I mean, that makes sense. If you're already grappling with history Right. The last thing you need is the language itself Yeah.

Getting in the way. Absolutely. So he's really removing barriers, trying to make that information itself the focus. And was there anything else about how the text is arranged on the page? Yeah.

You know, he talks about thoughtful text positioning. Okay. Now that sounds pretty abstract. It does, but it's actually quite practical. Okay.

I'm intrigued. What does that look like? So for example, he avoids justified text Oh, okay. Which can sometimes create uneven spacing between the words Right. And instead he opts for left aligned text, which provides a consistent visual starting point for each line.

So it's like giving your eyes a clear path to follow as you read. Exactly. Interesting. I never thought about how something like that could make a difference. It's subtle, but it can have a big impact on the reading experience.

It's like he's thought of every possible way to make the text itself reader friendly. He really has. And to top it all off, he's integrated imagery in a really thoughtful way. Yes. I mean, it's not just random pictures thrown in there.

Right? No. No. It's very deliberate. Okay.

It's not just about aesthetics. It's really about reinforcing the information and aiding comprehension. Oh, so it's like a more multisensory experience. Exactly. It makes the past feel more tangible and relevant.

And that probably helps everyone, not just readers with dyslexia. Absolutely. But for people with dyslexia, these visual cues can be especially powerful. Okay. They can reinforce the information and make it stick in their minds.

Interesting. So it's like these visuals are working on multiple levels They really are. To make history more accessible and engaging for everyone. Yes. Wow.

I'm so impressed with how much effort Me too. He's put into this. Me too. It really makes you realize that accessibility isn't just an afterthought. No.

It can be the driving force behind something truly remarkable. Right. And I think it's a reminder that when we design with accessibility in mind Mhmm. We actually create something that benefits everyone. Yeah.

It's not about lowering the bar. It's about raising it for everyone. And this commitment to reaching a wide audience Right. It really seems to be a hallmark of Lenny Lenski's work in general. It really does.

I mean, this isn't a one off project. Right. His books are already known for their broad appeal, and now he's expanding that reach even further. Exactly. He's pushing those boundaries.

Yeah. Yeah. Like last time, we were digging into all the fun trivia and quirky laws Oh, yeah. Which honestly were pretty entertaining for anyone Yes. Regardless of their age.

Regardless of their age or background. Right. And so he really has a knack for connecting with people He does. From all walks of life It's true. And different age groups Yeah.

And this dyslexia friendly addition just takes that inclusivity to a whole new level. A whole new level. It really does. He's demonstrating that history isn't just for academics or those who find reading easy. It's for everyone.

And by breaking down those barriers, he's opening up a world of knowledge and understanding to a whole new generation of readers. It's pretty remarkable. It really has imagined kids who previously struggle with reading suddenly feeling empowered to explore history, to learn about the past, to see themselves as part of this grand narrative. It's incredibly powerful. And, you know, this focus on accessibility got me thinking about Lenski's other work and how he seems to cater to such a diverse audience.

It's amazing how he makes it all come together. Right? He really does have a knack for making history accessible to a broad audience. And it's not just about simplifying the language, it's about finding those entry points Right. That resonate with different people.

Yeah. Like like you were saying before, he has those, those quirky laws from history and Yes. Even those, like, thought provoking quotes from historical figures. Like, he's offering this buffet of history, you know, tapping for everyone to enjoy. He understands that people learn in different ways and that some people might be drawn to the grand narratives while others connect more with personal stories.

Right. And he caters to those different learning styles and those different interests. Yeah. And I think what strikes me is how he does that so seamlessly. Mhmm.

It's not like he's segregating the contents for different audiences. Right. It all feels very organic and engaging for everyone. It is. It's like he's saying, hey.

History isn't just this collection of dry facts and dates. It's a tapestry woven from all these different threads. Mhmm. And each thread is important. Yeah.

And he's giving us the tools to appreciate that tapestry. He is. Regardless of our background or our reading ability. Yes. It's pretty powerful stuff.

It is. And, you know, this brings us back to the dyslexia friendly edition and all those links he went to Right. In order to create it. Like, it wasn't just a matter of changing the font and calling it a day. Right.

He actually dug deep and consulted with experts to make sure every design choice was backed up by research. Because when we design with accessibility in mind Yes. We create something that benefits everyone, not just those with specific learning differences. Everyone benefits. Exactly.

It's about creating a world where knowledge is truly accessible Mhmm. To all, where everyone has the opportunity to learn and to grow Yes. And to discover the joy of exploring new ideas. And you could really see that in, you know, in the work he did with the dyslexia friendly edition. Oh, absolutely.

It's like he's he's not just creating a book. He's creating this bridge, a pathway Yes. For people who felt excluded To come in. From the world of history Yes. Exactly.

To finally step in and explore it. He's saying, you belong here. This story is for you too. And that's such a powerful message. So powerful.

And I think that that goes beyond Yeah. Just the dyslexia friendly edition. You know? It He does. It's in his his whole approach to writing history Right.

It's how he caters to different learning styles Yes. And different interests. Different age groups Yeah. Different backgrounds. But he's constantly finding ways to make history relevant and engaging.

Engaging. For everyone. For everyone. And, you know, whether he's doing that through humor, through those quirky historical details, or connecting it to contemporary issues, it's really powerful. It's really effective.

And it reminds us that history is not just about the past, it's about understanding the present Right. And shaping the future. Exactly. It's about recognizing that we're all part of this ongoing human story Mhmm. And that our actions today will have consequences for generations to come.

Powerful. Powerful stuff. It's a reminder of our shared humanity Yeah. The interconnectedness of time. And it's it's really a testament to Lenny Lenski's vision.

It is. And his commitment to making history Mhmm. Accessible and meaningful for everyone. Absolutely. So to wrap up this amazing deep dive Yeah.

I think the key takeaway is this. Lenny Lenski isn't just writing history books. He's opening doors. He's breaking down barriers, and he's inviting us all to join him on this incredible journey of exploration and discovery. He's reminding us that history is for everyone.

Yeah. It's a story that belongs to all of us, and it continues to unfold every single day. And thanks to his work, more people than ever before Right. Have the opportunity to participate in that story and to shape its future chapters. It's amazing.

It really is. So if you're looking for a way to connect with history, to learn something new, or even just to be entertained Yeah. I highly recommend you check out Lenny Lenski's work. You won't regret it. And until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep diving deep.