Large Print Books in Canada: Where to Buy, Borrow & What to Know

Finding large print books in Canada is easier than it used to be — but the options are spread across retail stores, online marketplaces, library systems, and free accessibility programs that many people don't know exist. This guide covers all of it, without the fluff.

What "Large Print" Actually Means

There's no universal standard enforced across publishers, but the industry convention is clear enough: large print books use type set at 16 to 18 point. Standard trade paperbacks typically run 10 to 12 point. So a large print edition is roughly 1.5× to nearly double the normal size.

Thorndike Press — by far the dominant large print publisher in North America, and the supplier to most Canadian public libraries — prints at 16 point, unabridged. The Vancouver Public Library explicitly defines large print as "14 point or higher." Some editions marketed as large print are only 14pt, which helps but isn't as dramatic a difference as 16pt or 18pt.

Two other things matter beyond point size: font weight and contrast. A bold or semi-bold font at 14pt is often easier to read than a thin font at 16pt.

Cream-coloured paper (common in Thorndike editions) reduces glare compared to stark white. If you're shopping for someone with macular degeneration or cataracts, look at the physical book before committing — the contrast and typeface matter as much as the number on the spine.

Where to Buy Large Print Books in Canada

Amazon.ca

The largest selection, full stop. Search for any author or title and add "large print" — Amazon's filter system works well here, and you can narrow by format.

Shipping is fast if you're on Prime. Paperback large print editions typically run $20–$35 CAD for newer releases; used copies through Amazon Marketplace start around $5–10.

One gotcha: verify the edition before buying. Some sellers list standard editions with "large print" in the title. Check the product description for point size or "Thorndike" / "Wheeler" in the publisher field.

Indigo / Chapters / Coles

Indigo's website has a large print category (indigo.ca → Books → Large Print). Selection is more curated than Amazon — mostly current bestsellers and popular series — but the advantage is physical browsing in stores.

Larger Chapters and Indigo locations typically stock a dedicated large print shelf. Coles in smaller malls is hit-or-miss. Call ahead before making a special trip.

AbeBooks

AbeBooks is the best option for used large print books. Good for older backlist titles, classic series like Agatha Christie, and authors with long back catalogues (Alexander McCall Smith, Maeve Binchy, Catherine Cookson).

Many independent Canadian booksellers list on AbeBooks. Shipping to Canadian addresses is often $5–8 CAD, occasionally free. Budget $8–20 for a used large print paperback.

ThriftBooks

US-based but ships to Canada. Prices are low — often $5–8 USD — but factor in shipping and delivery time (7–14 days to Canada, sometimes more).

Worth checking for high-volume authors like Danielle Steel or Nora Roberts where there are dozens of titles you might want to build up over time. Not ideal for a single urgent purchase.

Local Used Bookstores

Underrated. Large print books turn over at used stores constantly — libraries weed their collections regularly and many books end up at Value Village, Goodwill, and independent used bookshops.

The spines are distinctive (thicker than standard paperbacks, clearly labelled). If you're a regular reader, it's worth asking your local used bookstore to set aside large print titles when they come in.

Free Options: Libraries and Accessibility Programs

This is where most Canadian readers leave significant value on the table. Your public library card unlocks far more than the physical large print shelf.

Your Public Library's Physical Collection

Major Canadian library systems have substantial large print collections — Vancouver Public Library, Toronto Public Library, Ottawa Public Library, Calgary Public Library, Halifax Regional Library all maintain dedicated large print sections. Request holds online; most systems allow holds from any branch in the system. Don't limit yourself to your nearest branch's shelf.

CELA — Centre for Equitable Library Access

This is the big one most people don't know about. CELA (celalibrary.ca) is a national library service for Canadians with print disabilities — this includes people with low vision, macular degeneration, cataracts, dyslexia, or any physical condition that makes standard print difficult to access.

Membership is free through your public library. CELA provides audio books, large-print DAISY files (readable on specialized players and apps), braille, and e-text.

Their catalogue has over 900,000 titles. You can access it via the free CELA app on a smartphone, through web browsers, or through a DAISY player. Librarians at any branch can sign you up — or call your library's accessibility services desk directly.

CNIB Library

The Canadian National Institute for the Blind operates a free library service at cnib.ca. It's distinct from CELA but complements it.

Primarily audio books and braille. Free to Canadians who are blind, partially sighted, or have a print disability. You don't have to be legally blind to qualify — significant difficulty reading standard print is sufficient.

Which Genres Have the Best Large Print Selection?

Not every genre is equally well-served in large print format. Publishers prioritize formats based on demand, and the large print audience skews toward readers who have been reading for decades.

The practical upshot: if your reading tastes run toward mysteries, thrillers, or romance, you have excellent options in physical large print. If you're reading science fiction, literary fiction, or anything off the bestseller path, an e-reader with adjustable font size is often the smarter long-term solution — you get every book, not just the ones a publisher decided to reformat.

The E-Reader Alternative

One thing worth saying plainly: a Kobo or Kindle gives you every book in whatever font size you want. No waiting for a large print edition to be published, no checking availability at three different retailers. You buy (or borrow) the book once and set the text to whatever size works.

The tradeoff is real — some people genuinely prefer physical books and that preference is worth respecting. But if selection is frustrating you, or if the books you want aren't available in large print, an e-reader solves the problem permanently. The Kobo Libra Colour (~$219 CAD) is the Canadian-made recommendation, and the Kindle Paperwhite is the mainstream choice.

Practical Tips for Canadian Buyers

• Check your library first. Most library systems let you place holds online from home, and large print books rarely have long wait times.
• For new releases, large print editions typically come out simultaneously or within a few weeks of the standard edition. Publishers know the market.
• For backlist titles, used copies on AbeBooks are usually the cheapest route. Amazon.ca has better availability for anything published in the last 5–10 years.
• Check the publisher, not just the title. "Thorndike Press" or "Wheeler Publishing" in the publisher field is a reliable indicator of a true 16pt edition.
• If you have a print disability, register with CELA before you spend a dollar on large print books. It's free, national, and has an enormous catalogue.