Helping parents and their children crack the reading code with great stories that are short and with absolutely no boring bits!

DYSLEXIA-FRIENDLY BOOKS

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The term dyslexia literally means 'difficulty with words'. In reality, it covers a whole spectrum of problems, not just with reading, writing and spelling, but also with comprehension, memory and organisational skills.  With some 10% of people in the UK with dyslexia, here at lovereading we feel the time has come to provide some guidance on dyslexia-friendly books for children and teenagers alongside the leading publisher Barrington Stoke of books for dyslexics and the charity Dyslexia Action.

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Dyslexic individuals function rather differently from the norm and they need alternative teaching methods and materials if they are to crack the code.  It may take longer than their classmates but most of them get there in the end.  These emergent readers will finally crack the code, often aged 9 or 10, but often they are not ready to tackle the longer more challenging books their contemporaries enjoy.  They need much shorter books, but still by first class authors, with inspiring content, real characters and a gripping plot.

It used to be thought that boys were three times more likely to be dyslexic than girls but evidence now shows that this is not the case.  Both sexes are affected. However, studies by Dyslexia Action show that three times as many boys as girls received additional teaching because of their dyslexia.  One theory is that boys are more disruptive when they are trying to deal with dyslexia so they are more likely to be noticed by teachers and given the right help.  Girls have been shown to be better at developing coping mechanisms so their symptoms may go unnoticed for years before they receive the proper specialist tuition.

12 years ago, Patience Thomson had a chance to be involved in founding Barrington Stoke, to produce quality books for dyslexic readers.  Their unique approach would be that dyslexic children and teenagers would be asked to act as consultant editors.

Patience Thomson says, "The quality of the story was very important to Barrington Stoke but so too was the presentation. These consultant editors chose the font, (our own special one), the size of print, (point 14), the off white paper, (kinder on the eyes), and the extra spacing between letters, words and paragraphs that made the text “settle” – their description not mine.  They insisted there should be no right hand justification as this meant they did not lose their place. The consultants marked up words they could not read and ones they could not understand.  They had an active and positive role when the company founded and still do today and as a consequence dyslexics can not only learn to read ‘real books’, but to enjoy them too." 

About Barrington Stoke:
Award-winning Barrington Stoke publish accessible, enjoyable and unpatronising short books for children who are dyslexic, struggling to read, or simply reluctant to sit down with a book. Each book is read before publication by struggling readers of the right age, to ensure the final book is both accessible and a terrific read. In 2007 the company was named IPG Children’s Publisher of the Year.

“Barrington Stoke's books are ideal for young people with dyslexia because they look good, like ‘real’ books, neither babyish nor a colour-stickered graded reader. The visual aspects have been considered with font size and type and background colour, and the illustrations are complementary rather than too intrusive and are appropriately placed in the text.  These books really work.”  Bernadette McLean, Academic Director of the Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre.

For further information on Barrington Stoke click here.

About Dyslexia Action:
Dyslexia Action is a national educational charity, which improves lives through education.  Their vision is to ensure individuals with dyslexia and literacy difficulties are able to reach their potential. Dyslexia should not be a barrier to learning, employment or personal fulfilment.  Dyslexia Action is the UK’s leading provider of services and support for people with such difficulties, specialising in assessment, teaching and training throughout England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. 

If you suspect your child might have dyslexia or would like any more information about Dyslexia Action please click here.

Dyslexia Action is a Registered Charity – Number: England & Wales 268502, Scotland SCO 39177

Dyslexia Action on Lovereading4kids:
"The prevalence of dyslexia is significant and we think it’s great that Lovereading4Kids are acknowledging this on their site."