Many children have learning disabilities that can make it harder for them to read a lot and develop strong literacy skills. There are plenty of resources available for them, though, and we’ve created a few lists to help you find books those kids will truly connect with.
To start off, audiobooks are an easy way to keep kids reading, and we have lots of popular titles available as either a Playaway or book on CD. Another route would be to check out some graphic novels. Kids who have a hard time getting through traditional chapter books often find graphic novels more enjoyable and easier to read. Part of why these kinds of books work well is because they break up the text into smaller chunks, and the pictures work as visual cues that help guide the reader through the story. Similarly, the Geronimo Stilton and Thea Stilton books are great for kids who are dyslexic because they feature a variety of font colors and sizes. Here are some other books to look out for that are printed in a dyslexia-friendly format:
Charlie Joe Jackson series by Tom Greenwald
Here’s Hank series by Henry Winkler
Geronimo Stilton series by Elisabetta Dami
Stuck in the Middle of Middle School by Karen Romano Young
Emiline: Knight in Training by Kimberli Johnson
It’s possible for every child to have a positive relationship with books; sometimes it just takes a little more work to find the right stories. Many kids appreciate reading a story with a character they can relate to, so we found ones where the main character has dyslexia or other reading difficulties. Here’s the list:
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Back to Front and Upside Down! by Claire Alexander
Two Minute Drill by Mike Lupica
Aunt Morbelia and the Screaming Skulls by Joan Davenport Carris
The Alphabet War: a Story about Dyslexia by Diane Burton Robb
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
The Art of Miss Chew by Patricia Polacco
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
My name is Brain Brian by Jeanne Betancourt
– Cindy, Youth Services Assistant