Supporting Confident Readers: Dyslexia-Friendly Books for Kids
By Chelsea Appleton, Children's Associate, Hardesty Regional Library
Reading should feel fun and welcoming for every child, but for some readers, the way words look on a page can make a big difference. That’s where dyslexia-friendly books come in. These specially designed books focus on making text easier to read, helping children feel more confident and comfortable as they explore stories.
One of the first things you might notice about dyslexia-friendly books is the page color. Instead of bright white paper, many use cream or sepia-colored pages. This softer background reduces glare and high contrast, which can cause eye strain or visual stress for some readers. Bright white pages can make text appear blurry or even seem like it’s moving, but the off-white, matte background allows the eyes to relax and focus more easily.
Another key feature is the font. Dyslexia-friendly books often use fonts designed with clear letter shapes, generous spacing, and simple structures. These details help reduce letter confusion and make words easier to recognize. Some dyslexia-specific fonts include weighted bottoms or special spacing to guide the eye.
Dyslexia-friendly reading doesn’t stop with print books. The Libby app offers a dyslexia-friendly font option for many e-books, allowing readers to customize their reading experience digitally. Whether your child enjoys holding a book or reading on a screen, there are options that support comfortable, confident reading.
Ready to explore? Here are a few dyslexia-friendly titles to help your reader get started:
The Ghost Tower by Gillian Cross
Tragedy at Sea by David Long
Quinnelope and the Cookie King Catastrophe by HF Brownfield
Lunar by Chris Bradford
The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy
A Duck in a Sock by Elspeth Rae
If you’d like to explore more titles, check out this book list: Dyslexia Friendly Children's Books You can also find additional books in our TCCL library catalog or visit your local library; we’re happy to assist you!
