Great Books for Dyslexic Readers

What is dyslexia, and why is it important to know about it? 

It is estimated that around 10% of the UK population has dyslexia, yet it is still widely misunderstood. A common misconception is that it is a childhood problem that you will grow out of, but the reality is that it is a lifelong problem. Therefore, if your child has been diagnosed, it is crucial to help them as much as possible so they know they have a support network behind them but also create coping mechanisms, which they can take into their adult life. 

Dyslexia is a common learning difficulty that mainly causes reading, writing, and spelling problems. Many children with dyslexia require 1-1 support at school or have technologies to support their needs. With this in mind, it is vital to encourage and support them outside of school. Dyslexia can be very frustrating, so having parental support will hopefully help them to feel better. The perfect book to best describe how everyone is different and hopefully help your child feel less alone is Brain Power: A Toolkit to Understand and Train Your Unique Brain by Dr Ranj Singh.

Many dyslexic readers hit obstacles when trying to find books that are accessible to them. As well as this, they can often find themselves struggling to express what they are having difficulty with. Taking this into account, we at Books2Door have put together some book recommendations for different age groups that should suit dyslexic readers. We also have a collection from Barrington Stoke Ltd, which specialises in books for dyslexic and ADHD readers. Barrington Stoke's dyslexia-friendly books all contain specialist font, Accessible layouts, and spacing to stop the page from becoming overcrowded, as well as off-white, heavier paper to help reduce visual stress. 

Phonics 

Phonics is a great way to help your child sound out words and improve their literacy skills. Developing their phonics from a young age will help your child to use the technique throughout school and into their adult lives. Why not combine learning with some fun characters and eye-catching illustrations? Julia Donaldson's Songbirds is one of our bestselling products for a reason. It is popular with children and teachers alike due to the clear and imaginative phonics stories. You can also check out our entire Phonics Collection here. 

Ages 5-7

Most books aimed at ages 5-7 tend to be dyslexia friendly due to the interactive nature and easy-to-read layouts. However, we highly recommend Our Julia Donaldson Picture Book Collection, which contains classic Donaldson stories like The Gruffalo, Room on the Broom, and many more. We also have Don't Let the Pigeon Series, which is entertaining for children and adults as you interact with this naughty Pigeon. 

To transition from picture books to chapter books, Barrington Stoke Ltd has published a range of books called Little Gems, all aimed at encouraging children to read and is a significant next step in their comprehension. The books are well-spaced, have an easy-read font, and contain many illustrations. 

We have several Little Gems books, but our favourite is Splash by Nick Sharrat, famed for illustrating Jacqueline Wilson's books; Splash follows a group of friends as they get ready to go to the swimming pool with the school. Captain Whiskers by Jeremy Strong is a delightful and hilarious story about Jack, who wants a pet, but his parents won't let him. Everything changes when he meets a mysterious man and cat that can understand everything he says, then all of a sudden, 101 cats appear in Jack's house! If your child enjoys books with animals, why not check out another Little Gem, We Are Not Frogs! By Michael Morpurgo? This lovely little tale follows the antics of the wildlife in Grandma's garden. 

Ages 7-9

Your child will start having their own interests and passions at this age. Of course, this is a great thing and something to be encouraged. However, for dyslexic readers, it can make it trickier to find books that are accessible to them. 

Described as the borrowers of the sea, The Tindims of Rubbish Island is a perfect book for children who love adventure. This lovely story combines family adventures with the importance of recycling and saving the planet. The author, Sally Gardener, has dyslexia, so she used her experiences and coping methods to write The Tindims. 

Malorie Blackman's Ellie and the Cat is a great short novel about a mean and spoilt child who is turned into a cat and must prove that she can change. Designed for dyslexic and reluctant readers, Ellie and the Cat is an enjoyable story with a nice message. 

Another fantastic and beloved book series that has been highly popular with dyslexic and reluctant readers is Captain Underpants. Dav Pilkey’s hilarious superhero tale is filled with toilet humour and easy-to-read structuring making them a great addition for any struggling readers. Pilkey has also written the graphic novel series Dog-Man, another highly popular series with dyslexic readers in this age group. Dav Pilkey himself is dyslexic and has ADHD so has a level of understanding that other authors may not have.

Ages 9-11

For Fans of myths and legends, Bloomsbury High Low books have published a shorter and entertaining adaptation of Hercules and Odysseus. Both of these books are short and filled with interesting mythological stories. 

Many children may want to venture into YA books or books with deeper narratives at this age. Gill Lewis's books are aimed at 9-12-year-old readers and portray more realistic stories and are a great place to start reading YA books. Our 3 Book Collection Set are Run Wild, Eagle Warrior and Swan Song. All three coming-of-age books all link to the importance of returning to nature as you grow up. 

Ages 11+ 

For football fans, check out Tales from the Pitch Series 10 Books Collection Set by Harry Coninx. With fast-paced and informative text, this take on the football biography is perfect for any budding football fan.

For children heading into GCSE, we have Of Mice and Men: Barrington Stoke Edition, designed to be more accessible whilst not differing from the original novel. Having a dyslexia-friendly version of this classic will take away that additional stress when your child is trying to study it for their GCSEs. 

Supporting Them at Home

Doing your research and knowing what challenges a dyslexic person may face will not only help them feel supported but will enable you to understand their needs better. Some helpful pages include BBC Bitesize, supporting your dyslexic child at home, and British Dyslexia Association for more advice and guidance. For more information, you can always refer to the NHS website.