Teaching kids with dyslexia can be very challenging, and so you need the best books for teaching kids with dyslexia. Dyslexic children struggle to read, write, and understand words. This makes learning frustrating for them. Parents and teachers need the right tools to help.
The best books for teaching kids with dyslexia make learning easier. These books use special methods. They focus on phonics, sight words, and fun stories. With the best books for teaching kids with dyslexia, children can improve step by step.
Experts recommend books that are simple and engaging. These books build confidence and make reading fun. Parents and teachers should use them daily. They help kids develop skills without stress.
In this guide, you will find the best books for teaching kids with dyslexia. You will also learn how to use them for the best results. Keep reading to support your child’s reading journey today.
Why Do You Need The Best Books for Teaching Kids with Dyslexia?
Children with dyslexia face many reading challenges. They struggle with recognizing letters, understanding words, and pronouncing sounds. This makes learning difficult and frustrating. Without the right support, they may lose confidence and dislike reading.
The best books for teaching kids with dyslexia provide the right help. These books use proven methods like phonics, repetition, and multisensory learning. They help children recognize patterns, sound out words, and improve comprehension. With step-by-step guidance, kids can build strong reading skills.
The best books for teaching kids with dyslexia also make learning fun. Many use engaging stories, large fonts, and clear spacing. This makes reading less stressful and more enjoyable. Children stay motivated and gain confidence in their abilities.
Parents and teachers need these books to support learning. They provide structured lessons that help children progress at their own pace. Without them, kids with dyslexia may struggle longer and fall behind in school.
Choosing the best books for teaching kids with dyslexia can make a big difference. They help children feel successful and excited about reading. Every child deserves the chance to read with confidence and joy.
The Best Books for Teaching Kids with Dyslexia
- Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain by Maryanne Wolf offers a fascinating perspective on reading from a neurobiological standpoint. As a cognitive neuroscientist, Wolf examines the scientific and evolutionary aspects of the reading brain.
- Right-Brain Children in a Left-Brain World by Jeffery Freed and Laurie Parsons – This book is one of my favorites because the authors have extensive experience teaching children with dyslexia. Someday, many authors hope to write a companion book titled Left-Brain Parents in a Right-Brain Family!
- The Gillingham Manual: Remedial Training for Students with Specific Disability in Reading, Spelling, and Penmanship by Anna Gillingham is a foundational text often included in dyslexia training programs. It provides structured techniques for teaching reading, spelling, and writing to students with dyslexia.
- Dyslexia & Spelling by Kelli Sandman-Hurley, Ed.D., examines the relationship between dyslexia, spelling, and reading. This book highlights how analyzing spelling errors can improve instructional methods and provide greater insight into literacy development.
- DyslexiaLand: A Field Guide for Parents of Children with Dyslexia by Cheri Rae is a helpful resource for parents, offering strategies to navigate the educational system, support their children, and advocate for effective learning accommodations.
- Dyslexia 101 by Marianne Sunderland – She wrote this book as a straightforward guide for parents and family members to gain a clear understanding of dyslexia—both what it is and what it is not.
- The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Brock L. Eide and Fernette F. Eide explores the strengths associated with dyslexia, including spatial reasoning, the ability to recognize patterns, creativity, and storytelling skills. This book shifts the focus from challenges to the unique cognitive benefits dyslexic individuals possess.
- Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz is an essential read that I strongly suggest for anyone in the field of education or any parent of a child with dyslexia. When I first read this book over a decade ago, I was astounded by the depth of research available on the brain and dyslexia—research that, surprisingly, had not yet fully reached the educational community. If you’re looking for a place to start learning about dyslexia, this is the book to begin with.
- This groundbreaking book documents the research conducted at Yale University on dyslexia, revealing that it stems from unique brain wiring. Many people have misconceptions about dyslexia, but this book stands out as one of the most reliable sources for understanding the condition based on solid scientific findings.
- Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention by Barbara J. Wendling and Nancy Mather serves as a practical guide for understanding, evaluating, and supporting individuals with dyslexia. It provides educators and specialists with tools for assessment and intervention.
- Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf offers a thoughtful exploration of how digital technology is reshaping the way we think, read, and process information.
- Teaching Reading Sourcebook (Core Literacy Library) is a comprehensive guide that combines both theoretical foundations and practical applications for implementing literacy instruction.
- Conquering Dyslexia by Jan Hanbrouck, Ph.D., is a concise yet informative book aimed at both parents and educators. It provides valuable insight into dyslexia, various instructional methods, and the most up-to-date information regarding this learning difference.
- Teaching Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, OWL LD, and Dyscalculia by Virginia W. Berninger and Beverly J. Wolf presents instructional strategies designed to support students with a range of learning differences. It emphasizes practical approaches to meeting diverse educational needs.
- Reading in the Brain: The New Science of How We Read by Stanislas Dehaene delves into the neuroscience of reading. This book reveals the cognitive mechanisms behind reading and decoding, shedding light on the intricate logic of written language.
- Multisensory Teaching of Basic Language Skills by Judith R. Birsh is a widely used resource in dyslexia training programs. It covers research-based instructional strategies and structured literacy approaches, making it a key reference for educators.
Books on Educational Approaches
Below are some of the educational methods that have worked well:
1. Montessori
The Montessori Method, created by Dr. Maria Montessori, is an educational approach rooted in scientific observations of children from infancy through adulthood. With a history of over a century, this method has proven effective across various cultures. Montessori education features multi-age classrooms (which mirrors homeschooling in some ways), extended periods of independent work, and the freedom to choose activities within structured guidelines. While it applies to all ages, it is especially well-suited for preschool and early childhood education.
Teach Me to Do It Myself: Montessori Activities for You and Your Child by Maja Pitamic – This book serves as a hands-on guide for incorporating Montessori principles at home. It provides numerous practical activities originally included in Montessori schools.
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin – A great resource for creating a Montessori-inspired home environment. It answers many frequently asked questions about this widely recognized educational approach.
2. Charlotte Mason
The Charlotte Mason Method emphasizes educating the whole child by incorporating nature study, music, art, and rich literature into learning. This method has been particularly effective for my bright, non-traditional learners. While it works well for all children, its hands-on, discovery-based approach is especially engaging for kids who enjoy movement and exploration rather than rigid textbook learning.
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola – I have read and revisited this book countless times over the past 15 years. Andreola not only adopted the Charlotte Mason method for her own children but also wrote this book to help other parents understand and apply it to homeschooling.
The Original Homeschooling Series by Charlotte Mason (available on Kindle) – I haven’t read all six books in this series, but I picked them up for just $1.99 on Kindle. Karen Andreola’s book translates Mason’s ideas into more accessible language, but for those who want to dive into Mason’s original work, this collection is worth checking out.
3. Classical Education
The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education by Leigh Bortins – This book introduces parents to the Classical Education model, outlining the structure, tools, and methodology necessary to implement a rigorous and well-rounded curriculum.
Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child by Cheryl Swope – This book offers guidance on how to provide a classical education for children with special needs or learning challenges. Cheryl Swope shares how her love for history, literature, music, and Latin shaped her children’s education, demonstrating how classical learning can benefit all students.
Additional Books on Learning
Normal Sucks by Jonathan Mooney – A powerful and eye-opening book. Mooney, diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, didn’t learn to read until he was 12. He shares how the realization that he wasn’t the problem—but rather, the education system’s narrow definition of “normal”—transformed his life. He discusses how labeling and shaming neurodiverse children can be damaging and argues for a shift in how we view abilities and differences.
Mindset: The Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck – In this book, Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck explains that success is not just about intelligence or talent, but about having the right mindset. She discusses the difference between a fixed mindset (believing abilities are unchangeable) and a growth mindset (believing skills can be developed). This perspective can help parents encourage resilience and motivation in their children while also setting personal and professional goals.
MindShift Blog – MindShift publishes daily articles exploring how education is evolving. Topics include the impact of technology on learning, new research on brain development, the effects of social and emotional learning, and how different teaching methods shape students’ experiences.
Your Child’s Growing Mind: Brain Development and Learning From Birth to Adolescence by Jane Healy – This book is a must-read for understanding how children’s brains develop. Healy explores the connections between intelligence, creativity, and emotion while providing practical strategies for parents and teachers. She covers everything from the foundations of reading and math to fostering attention, problem-solving, and motivation.
For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaefer McCauley – This book helped introduce me to the idea of integrating learning into all aspects of everyday life, creating a home environment that nurtures curiosity and discovery.
Educating the Wholehearted Child by Sally Clarkson – Sally Clarkson, alongside her husband Clay, wrote this book to encourage parents to cultivate a love of learning in their children. She has authored many books on parenting and family life, and this one stands out as a wonderful resource for homeschooling families.
Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto – After teaching in the public school system for 30 years and being recognized as New York’s Teacher of the Year, Gatto wrote this thought-provoking book about the limitations of traditional schooling. It’s a must-read for anyone considering homeschooling or alternative education.
How Lincoln Learned to Read: Twelve Great Americans and the Educations That Made Them by Daniel Wolf – This book takes a fascinating look at how twelve well-known Americans, including Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin, were educated—both inside and outside the classroom. It offers an inspiring reminder that there are many different paths to success.
The Takeaway
The best books for teaching kids with dyslexia can change a child’s life. They make reading easier and more enjoyable. With the right books, kids can overcome reading struggles. These books use proven methods like phonics and repetition. They help children gain confidence and improve step by step.
Parents and teachers should choose books that fit the child’s needs. Reading daily helps children learn faster. Using fun and simple books makes learning stress-free.
If your child has dyslexia, start using these books today. With patience and the right tools, reading can become fun. Help your child build strong reading skills and succeed in learning.