Books designed for readers with dyslexia open a new world of accessibility and enjoyment. Through thoughtful design, specialized fonts, and reader-friendly layouts, these books make reading less stressful and more engaging. For many, they serve as a gateway to rediscovering the joy of stories and learning without the barriers traditional print can create.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Fish in a Tree is an inspiring story about Ally, a clever and artistic girl who has spent years hiding her struggles with reading due to dyslexia. When a compassionate teacher, Mr. Daniels, recognizes her challenges and provides support, Ally begins to realize that her learning difference does not define her intelligence. This book not only offers a moving message about self-acceptance and perseverance but also resonates deeply with readers who have faced similar struggles in school. The book features wide spacing, simple fonts, and cream-colored paper that make reading smoother and less stressful. It’s a beautiful reminder that brilliance comes in many forms and that everyone learns in their own way.
El Deafo by Cece Bell
Told through a vibrant graphic-novel format, El Deafo recounts author Cece Bell’s childhood experiences growing up with hearing loss. The comic-style illustrations and expressive visuals provide a storytelling experience that’s ideal for readers who find traditional text-heavy books intimidating. The large print and minimal text per page reduce eye strain and enhance comprehension. Bell’s humor and honesty about her challenges make the book relatable, empowering, and deeply engaging. For dyslexic readers, the visual pacing and strong narrative voice help sustain attention while providing a fun, meaningful story about friendship, confidence, and embracing one’s differences.
Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver
Co-written by actor Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia himself, the Hank Zipzer series follows a boy whose creativity often outshines his academic struggles. Hank’s inventive problem-solving, humor, and heart make him a character that dyslexic teens can instantly relate to. Each book is formatted with accessible fonts and spacing, making the text easier to follow and digest. Winkler’s firsthand understanding of dyslexia brings authenticity to the series, while the lighthearted storytelling keeps readers engaged. These books also help build empathy in classmates, teachers, and parents who want to understand what living with dyslexia really feels like.
The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick
This humorous memoir-style novel follows a young boy navigating the ups and downs of school while managing learning differences. Sonnenblick’s writing blends self-deprecating humor with empathy, helping readers understand what it’s like to struggle academically while still being bright and creative. The dyslexia-friendly format includes short chapters, generous spacing, and a conversational tone that keeps readers turning pages. The book helps teens and preteens recognize that even those who struggle with reading or attention can grow into confident, capable adults who find success in unexpected ways.
Can You See Me? by Libby Scott and Rebecca Westcott
This beautifully written novel offers insight into the experiences of Tally, an autistic girl navigating middle school, friendship, and the challenges of being misunderstood. Although not specifically about dyslexia, the dyslexia-friendly edition and accessible storytelling make it an excellent choice for neurodivergent readers. The layout includes wide margins, cream paper, and clean typography that ease visual stress. The emotional honesty of Tally’s voice helps readers—neurotypical or not—understand the power of empathy and self-acceptance.
Planet Omar: Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian
Planet Omar follows the adventures of a curious, energetic Muslim boy adjusting to a new school. The mix of text and doodle-style illustrations makes the story playful and accessible for dyslexic readers. The conversational tone and short paragraphs maintain momentum and engagement, while the book’s humor and warmth appeal to readers of all ages. It’s a fun, inclusive story that normalizes differences and shows how creativity, humor, and empathy can help overcome challenges—perfect for readers who might find long text blocks daunting.
The Percy Jackson Series by Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series has become a beloved favorite for readers who see themselves in its spirited, quick-witted hero. Percy, a demigod with dyslexia and ADHD, struggles in traditional classrooms but discovers that his mind is “hardwired for Ancient Greek.” This creative reimagining turns what might be seen as a limitation into a heroic trait, helping young readers view their own learning differences through a lens of strength and possibility. Riordan, who drew inspiration from his own son’s experience with dyslexia, fills each book with humor, fast-paced action, and accessible writing that captures even reluctant readers.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series combines humor, relatability, and creative visuals to make reading less intimidating for struggling readers. The handwritten-style text, doodle illustrations, and short, journal-style entries break up long blocks of text, giving the eyes frequent rests and reducing fatigue. The format bridges the gap between graphic novels and traditional books, making it perfect for readers transitioning to longer stories. The simple sentence structures and familiar vocabulary make comprehension easy while keeping the tone playful and engaging. For many kids, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is one of the first series that helps them rediscover the fun side of reading.
Tom Gates Series by Liz Pichon
Liz Pichon’s Tom Gates series captures the imaginative chaos of school life through the doodle-filled notebooks of its mischievous main character. The combination of hand-drawn art, mixed fonts, and varied text sizes creates an immersive, visually stimulating experience that appeals to readers who find standard text layouts overwhelming. The playful design not only adds humor and personality but also provides natural visual breaks that make reading easier and more enjoyable for dyslexic children. Each book blends everyday adventures—like trying to impress teachers, avoid trouble, and outsmart classmates—with witty, relatable observations that feel authentic to middle-grade readers.
Speechify: A Dyslexia-Friendly Reading Companion
Speechify transforms the reading experience for people with dyslexia by turning any text, including readings, PDFs, web pages, or documents, into lifelike AI voices. By allowing users to listen while following along with highlighted words, it bridges the gap between sight and sound to strengthen comprehension and fluency. The app’s adjustable reading speeds, customizable fonts, and color overlays make it easier to stay focused and reduce visual strain. With over 1,000 voices across 60+ languages and cross-device syncing, users can enjoy reading anytime, anywhere.
FAQ
What makes a book dyslexia-friendly?
Dyslexia-friendly books use clear fonts like OpenDyslexic, wider spacing, cream paper, and simplified layouts to make reading easier—and Speechify can further enhance accessibility by reading these books aloud.
What are some of the best dyslexia-friendly books for kids and teens?
Titles like Fish in a Tree, Hank Zipzer, and The Percy Jackson Series are popular dyslexia-friendly books for kids and teens.
What is the best font for dyslexia-friendly books?
Fonts like OpenDyslexic and Dyslexie are designed for clarity and are perfect for creating dyslexia-friendly books.
Where can I find dyslexia-friendly book editions?
Dyslexia-friendly books are available from publishers like Barrington Stoke, Scholastic, and Penguin.
How can parents choose the right book for their dyslexic child?
Look for topics your child enjoys, short chapters to build momentum, and books published by trusted dyslexia-friendly imprints like Barrington Stoke or Orion’s Quick Reads series.
