Book Review: Being Henry

“Being Henry” by Henry Winkler is a memoir about a beloved actor’s life, his rise to fame, and his lifelong relationship with dyslexia. If you’re looking for an inspiring and thoroughly enjoyable read, this is one to put on your list. Winkler takes readers on a journey through his life, sharing candid stories from his childhood, his fame as “The Fonz” on Happy Days, and his many roles beyond that iconic character. For parents raising a child with dyslexia, the book lands somewhere between entertainment and quiet encouragement.

What is “Being Henry” about?

Being Henry is a memoir written by the actor Henry Winkler, and it is as heartfelt as it is entertaining. Winkler walks readers through his life—from his childhood, to his rise to fame as “The Fonz” on Happy Days, to the many roles he took on beyond that iconic character. The book is candid, often funny, and threaded with the kind of behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories that make a celebrity memoir hard to put down.

What sets it apart for our community is that the story doesn’t shy away from the hard parts. Alongside the fame and the laughter, Winkler is honest about the difficulties he carried for decades—and that honesty is exactly what makes the book worth recommending to parents.

How does the book handle dyslexia?

One of the most powerful threads in the book is Winkler’s lifelong struggle with dyslexia. He opens up about the challenges he faced growing up and how those difficulties shaped his path. He doesn’t package the experience neatly or pretend it was easy—he writes about it plainly, which is part of why it resonates.

What’s truly uplifting is how he turned those struggles into fuel for advocacy, especially for children with learning differences. For a parent whose child is just beginning to understand their own dyslexia, that arc matters. It shows that the early years of frustration are not the end of the story—they can become the reason someone spends a lifetime helping others. If you’re looking for ways to frame that message at home, our guide on talking about dyslexia with your child pairs well with a book like this.

How did Winkler become a children’s author?

Winkler also discusses how his own experiences inspired him to co-author a popular children’s book series featuring a dyslexic protagonist. The result gave young readers not only relatable stories but also hope and encouragement—something many children with dyslexia rarely see reflected back at them in the books they’re handed at school.

A relatable protagonist is a child’s permission to see their own struggle as something survivable, even ordinary. That’s the gift of a series written from lived experience. If you want to build out your child’s shelf with more titles in this spirit, our list of books with dyslexic main characters is a good next stop.

Why does this book matter for dyslexic families?

Being Henry is heartfelt, humorous, and filled with wisdom. For families navigating dyslexia, its value goes beyond a good story:

• It models a healthy narrative. Winkler frames his dyslexia honestly—as a real difficulty, not a tidy “superpower”—while still ending in a place of advocacy and purpose.
• It’s a conversation starter. A famous, well-loved adult talking openly about the same struggles your child faces can lower the shame a child feels about reading.
• It’s genuinely enjoyable. This is not a clinical book or a how-to. It’s a memoir you’ll want to finish, which makes its message stick.
• It points outward. Winkler’s turn toward advocacy is a reminder that the goal isn’t just to get through reading instruction—it’s to raise a confident kid.

Of course, an inspiring memoir is a companion to intervention, not a substitute for it. Confidence grows fastest when a child is also making real reading progress through explicit, structured instruction. That’s the work our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum and its companion workbook on Amazon are built to do—a structured-literacy, multisensory approach that gives your child the skills while books like this give them the hope.

Who should read “Being Henry”?

This one has a wide audience. We highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good memoir, appreciates behind-the-scenes Hollywood stories, or is simply looking for an uplifting and inspiring read. But it earns a special place on a dyslexic family’s shelf:

• Parents who want reassurance that a child’s reading difference doesn’t define their future.
• Older children and teens with dyslexia who are ready for a real, grown-up story about someone who shares their experience.
• Grandparents, teachers, and tutors who want to understand the emotional side of growing up with a learning difference.

For families who’d rather listen than read—a common and completely valid choice for dyslexic readers—a memoir like this is often available in audio, too. If you want more reviews in this vein, take a look at our take on The Dyslexic Advantage, which makes a strong companion read for parents thinking about strengths and identity.