Dyslexia Friendly Books
Dyslexia friendly books are designed to help children with dyslexia, and other literacy difficulties enjoy reading and build reading confidence. These books reduce visual stress, have improved readability, have thoughtful designs and engaging content. Children’s books can often be found in specially designed dyslexia formats, including those from popular children’s authors such as Roald Dahl, Michael Morpurgo and Julia Donaldson.
Features of Dyslexia Friendly Books:
- Use dyslexia friendly fonts, such as sans serif fonts, such as Arial and Comic Sans.
- Accessible layouts, with larger fonts and extra spacing between words, lines and paragraphs as well as cream-coloured pages to reduce glare and eye strain.
- Shorter, clearer texts, with straightforward language and short chapter lengths.
- Illustrations and images that support the text and enhance comprehension.
Barrington Stoke
Barrington Stoke publishes a variety of dyslexia-friendly books in a special format designed for readers with dyslexia, and who struggle with reading. These books are aimed at children and teens and cover a wide range of genres. These include the Little Gems collection, aimed at children aged 5-8.
10 Books Published by Barrington Stoke
- The Tindims: The Big Adventure
Author Emily Garson
Age rating: 6-8
Description: The Tindims, a group of tiny, brave characters, embark on a big adventure to find a treasure. This exciting story of teamwork and courage is filled with humour and fun.
Review: “This book was funny and exciting, and I could read it all by myself!”
Sophie, age 8
2. Owen and The Soldier
Author Lisa Thompson
Age Rating: 8 – 12
Description: Owen befriends a soldier statue in the park and learns about bravery, sacrifice, and friendship. This heartfelt story encourages reflection on courage and family.
Review: “I liked how Owen talked to the soldier and learned about how brave he was.”
Alfie, age 9
3. A Boy Called Hope
Author: Lara Williamson
Age rating: 8 -12
Description: The story follows Dan Hope, who dreams of meeting his estranged father. His journey is filled with humour, heartache, and hope, as he learns that family can be more than just blood.
Review: “The story was funny and made me feel happy inside.”
Finley, age 8
4. The Boy Who Swam with Piranhas
Author: David Almond
Age rating: 8-12
Description: This quirky adventure story is about a boy named Stanley, who runs away to join the circus after a disagreement with his uncle. The book is full of colourful characters and surprising events.
Review: ” I liked how Stanley met all different people, it was really funny and exciting.”
Reggie, age 9
5. The Great Hamster Massacre
Author: Katie Davies
Age Rating: 7-9
Description: When the hamster cage mysteriously breaks, a group of children tries to solve the mystery. This humorous and touching story deals with family, pets, and dealing with loss.
Review: “This book was so funny and made me want to keep reading”
Sienna, age 8
6. Max the Champion
Author: Alexandra Strick and Sean Stockdale
Age Rating: 6-8
Description: Max is a young boy who dreams of becoming a champion in sport. Through persistence and practice, Max shows that anyone can be a champion if they try their best.
Review: “I liked Max because he never gave up, even when things were hard.”
Lucas, age 7
War Game
Author: Tom Palmer
Age Rating: 9 – 12
Description: War Game is a historical novel set during World War I, telling the story of a group of young soldiers who are sent to fight in the trenches. The book captures the horrors of war and the bravery of soldiers in a very real, emotional way, highlighting the humanity behind the uniform.
Review: “This book made me think about what it would have been like to be a soldier in a war. It was very sad and made me feel like I was there with them. It taught me a lot about World War I and how people were so brave, even when things were so tough.”
Riley, age 12
Jodie
Author: Hilary McKay
Age Rating: 9-12
Description: Jodie is a story about a young girl dealing with the emotional complexity of being a teenager. Jodie has always felt like an outsider and is struggling with feelings of loneliness and self-doubt. When she tries to fit in and find her place, she faces unexpected challenges. The book touches on themes of friendship, identity, and self-acceptance.
Age Rating: 9-12 years
Review: “I could really understand how Jodie felt about not fitting in. It was nice to see how she changed and learned more about herself.”
Phoebe, age 12
The Ghost Cat who Saved my Life
Author: Pamela Butchart
Age Rating: 6-8
Description: Liam and Sav are intrigued when they hear eerie cat sounds coming from the empty flat upstairs. Determined to uncover the source of the strange noise, they embark on an adventure to solve the mystery.
Review: “I loved this story! It made me feel happy.”
Eleanor, age 7
Sheep School
Author: Nina C. A. Bailey
Age Rating: 3-7
Description:
Sheep School is a delightful and humorous children’s book that follows the journey of a young sheep named Woolly, who is eager to start school but quickly realizes that being a sheep in a classroom filled with other animals presents its own set of challenges.
Review: “I loved Woolly, it made me laugh and it was so funny”
Olive, age 6