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Original poster

Book suggestions for dyslexic daughter

38 replies

0131trojan1 · 11/05/2011 22:02

Can anyone suggest any books for my daughter who's been diagnosed as dyslexic? She's 11, but reading age I think about 8?

OP posts:
girlscout · 23/05/2011 17:36

The trek of the rainbow warriors by Tom Jolley is written to be dyslexia friendly and presented as such.
see www.abc-dyslexia.com

LRDTheFeministDragon · 23/05/2011 17:17

Diana Wynne Jones - The Magicians of Caprona is good (for you to read to her and her to try a bit of), if she's like my/my brother. The story is about two children who are intended to resonate with dyslexic children, but it's not obvious - they are in a sort of Renaissance Italian world where everyone can do magic, but they just don't seem able to do it the same way other people do - getting things mixed up or being 'slow'.

I liked it when I was little because you can get fed up with overtly moralizing 'stories for dyslexic children', but on the other hand, it's nice to read something that speaks to your situation and makes you feel good about yourself. My mum started reading it to my brother and it got his confidence up so he mostly managed to finish it himself.

madamehooch · 23/05/2011 17:11

Completely true RosieRed. 'The Story of Matthew Buzzington' is his first title for Barrington Stoke (nominated for two regional book awards) and he has a new one just out - 'Sterling and the Canary.' Read them and enjoy!

RosieRed · 23/05/2011 15:46

OMIGod Madame Hooch I didn't realise when you said Andy Stanton you meant the Mr Gum guy!!! My DS is Mr Gum mad...

Original poster
0131trojan1 · 19/05/2011 20:07

Me too, RosieRed, Spotted a Michael Morpugo one called Fox Friend, and a couple of Jeremy Strong books which sound quite fun- Mad Iris and Mad Iris is Missing. Credit card out yet again, but may as well try them at these prices!

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RosieRed · 19/05/2011 09:17

Thanks for the sale tip 0131trojan1 - am off to stock up!

madamehooch · 18/05/2011 18:58

Really glad she liked them!

Original poster
0131trojan1 · 18/05/2011 17:45

RosieRed-
Barringon Stoke books are brilliant! Daughter absolutely loves Candy Girl- amazing. She was reading it at 10pm, but I was so shocked, I didn't complain!! Friend has just emailed to say she's seen a thing on Facebook about 3 day sale on the Barringtons Stoke website, so checking that out later and maybe get more. Thought I'd let daughter choose this time..............

MadameHooch- Also got parent leaflet through post, so I see what you mean now about the interest age v readers age thing. Didn't quite understand before.

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Original poster
0131trojan1 · 12/05/2011 19:55

Have bought 3 via their website- Candy Girl, Meet the Weirds and Enna Hittims ( couldn't resist the half price offer on that one! Story sounds good, but odd title.......)
Will let you know how we get on :)

OP posts:
RosieRed · 12/05/2011 13:44

We've got Candy Girl but we've not tackled it yet as it's a bit longer ;o) Not sure how you find out about the freebies etc - find the website a bit hard to use but they have a twitter @BarringtonStoke which is more user friendly. Hope you get on well with the books and don't get downheartened - reading age 8 is actually better than my daughter but we're getting there!

Original poster
0131trojan1 · 12/05/2011 13:28

Great, thanks to both. Have just checked out their website, and the books look ideal. I think she would like Candy Girl, too. How do I find out about freebies, special offers, etc?
I'm hoping the school already knows about Barrington Stoke, but will check with LS teacher and see. I see they have packs for school on the website, and leaflets, etc. Have emailed for parent leaflet.

OP posts:
RosieRed · 12/05/2011 12:55

To be fair, Barrington Stoke used to be petty poor for girls - it was all football and boys adventure. We phoned once to ask about girl books and I don't know if that helped (!) but they certainly are doing a lot more now. We just bought a new one called Take Two and we got a free e-book with it, which was a nice surprise.

madamehooch · 12/05/2011 07:52

Check out Barrington Stoke publishers. They specialise in books for dyslexic/reluctant readers with a reading age below their interest age. They are printed on cream colour paper with a suitable font. They are also tested on their target audience before publication. They're by fab authors as well - Andy Stanton has written a couple.