The best books for kids with dyslexia are stories with relatable characters who struggle with reading and ultimately thrive, because seeing themselves in a character helps a child feel understood and less alone. Reading books about dyslexia with your child is a gentle, powerful way to foster understanding, build empathy, and open up honest conversations—all while giving them the comfort of knowing other kids share their experience.
Why read books about dyslexia with your child?
A book about dyslexia is a mirror that shows a struggling reader they are not the only one. When a child who has been told (directly or by the looks on classmates’ faces) that reading is “hard” meets a character who feels exactly the same way, something shifts. The struggle stops being a private shame and becomes a shared, survivable experience.
Reading these books together does three things at once:
- It fosters understanding. Stories explain what dyslexia feels like from the inside, often better than a clinical definition ever could.
- It builds empathy and self-compassion. Watching a character work hard and succeed helps a child be kinder to themselves.
- It opens conversation. A character’s moment of frustration gives you a natural, low-pressure way to ask, “Does that ever happen to you?”
Best of all, reading these stories together provides comfort in knowing your child is not alone—and that the road ahead has been walked by plenty of others.
What are the best books for kids with dyslexia?
To get you started, here is a list of books for kids with dyslexia that both parents and children can enjoy. Each one centers a character who experiences reading differently, and several are written by authors who have dyslexia themselves.
- “Thank You, Mr. Falker” by Patricia Polacco. This heartwarming story tells of a young girl with dyslexia and the teacher who helps her overcome her struggles. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and support in the learning journey. Read our full review of Thank You, Mr. Falker.
- “Here’s Hank #1” by Henry Winkler. Co-authored by Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia himself, this series follows the adventures of Hank, a character with dyslexia. It’s an excellent way for children to relate to a character who shares their experiences. See our review of Here’s Hank.
- “Hank Zipzer #1” by Henry Winkler. Another delightful book in the Hank Zipzer series. This book offers humorous and relatable tales about a young boy navigating life with dyslexia. Read more about Hank Zipzer.
- “Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers” by Megan Nicolas. Megan Nicolas’ book takes a positive spin on dyslexia by showcasing it as a set of superpowers. It helps children reframe their challenges into strengths. See our review of Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers.
- “My Name is Brain Brian” by Jeanne Betancourt. This book tells the story of Brian, who struggles with reading. With determination, he overcomes his dyslexia. It’s an inspiring tale of resilience and the power of hard work. Read our review of My Name is Brain Brian.
- “The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia” by Dianne Burton Robb. A compelling book that narrates the struggles and triumphs of a young boy with dyslexia. This story offers a vivid picture of the challenges faced by children with dyslexia.
- “Knees: The Mixed-Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia” by Vanita Oelschlager. Through the story of a boy named Jack, this book helps children understand dyslexia and appreciate the unique qualities that come with it. Read our review of Knees.
- “Did You Say Pasghetti?” by Tammy Fortune. A charming book that showcases the humorous side of the language mix-ups that are part of the dyslexic experience. See our review of Did You Say Pasghetti?.
- “Hacking the Code: The Ziggety Zaggety Road of a Dyslexic Kid” by Gea Meijering. Another delightful tale of a dyslexic child’s journey to unlock the secrets of reading and succeed in life. Read our review of Hacking the Code.
How do I choose the right book for my child?
Not every book on this list will land the same way for every child, and that’s fine. A few things to weigh as you pick:
- Match the tone to your child’s mood. If your child needs a laugh, the Hank Zipzer and Here’s Hank books or “Did You Say Pasghetti?” lean into humor. If they need reassurance, “Thank You, Mr. Falker” offers warmth and a caring adult.
- Lead with strengths when confidence is low. “Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers” reframes dyslexia as a set of strengths, which can be a good fit for a child who feels defeated.
- Pick the right reading load. A picture book like “Knees” or “The Alphabet War” works well for younger or more reluctant readers, while chapter books like the Hank series suit kids ready for more text.
- Remember you can read aloud. The point of these books is connection, not decoding practice—so it’s perfectly fine for you to do the reading.
A child’s confidence around reading is fragile, so let them sample a few and notice which characters they keep talking about.
How should I read these books together?
These titles are meant to be shared, not assigned. The goal is connection and conversation, not fluency drills. A few ideas:
- Read aloud, or take turns. Don’t turn story time into a test. If your child wants to read, let them; if they’d rather listen, that’s great too.
- Pause to connect. When a character struggles, ask gently whether that feeling is familiar. When they succeed, name it: “Look how hard she worked.”
- Let your child lead. Some kids want to talk; others just want the comfort of the story. Both are wins.
- Pair stories with real practice. Books build the emotional foundation; learning to read still takes explicit, systematic instruction. Structured-literacy and Orton-Gillingham approaches are what move the needle on decoding, and our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum and accompanying workbook on Amazon are built for exactly that work at home.
When a child feels understood, they bring more willingness to the hard work of learning to read—and that willingness is worth a lot.
Where can I find more resources?
Sharing these stories is one piece of a bigger picture. As you build out your home library and support plan, a few related reads may help:
- Browse our full collection of individual book reviews to dig deeper into any title before you buy.
- Looking for grown-up reading instead? See our roundup of dyslexia books for parents for titles that help you understand the research and advocate for your child.
- Audiobooks can give a struggling reader access to rich stories above their decoding level—learn more about the benefits of audiobooks for dyslexia.
Reading books for kids with dyslexia is a powerful way for parents and children to connect, learn, and grow. These books provide insight into dyslexia while celebrating the strengths and potential of these children. By sharing these stories, you help your child embrace dyslexia as part of what makes them special—and you foster a real sense of pride and self-confidence along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I read books about dyslexia with my child?
Reading books about dyslexia together fosters understanding, builds empathy, and opens honest conversations. Most importantly, it gives your child the comfort of knowing they are not alone in their struggles.
What are good books for kids with dyslexia?
Strong choices include "Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco, the "Here's Hank" and "Hank Zipzer" series by Henry Winkler, "Discovering My Dyslexia Superpowers" by Megan Nicolas, "My Name is Brain Brian" by Jeanne Betancourt, "Knees" by Vanita Oelschlager, "Did You Say Pasghetti?" by Tammy Fortune, and "Hacking the Code" by Gea Meijering.
Are any of these books written by authors with dyslexia?
Yes. The "Here's Hank" and "Hank Zipzer" series are co-authored by actor Henry Winkler, who has dyslexia himself, which is part of why his characters feel so authentic to kids who share the experience.
Will reading these books teach my child to read?
No. These stories build emotional understanding and connection, but learning to decode still requires explicit, systematic instruction such as structured literacy or an Orton-Gillingham approach. Use the books alongside real reading practice, not instead of it.
My child gets frustrated when reading. Should I read these aloud?
Absolutely. The goal of these books is connection and conversation, not decoding practice. Read aloud, take turns, or just let your child listen, whatever keeps story time positive and pressure-free.