Two great resources to have at home to help with writing

When I write assessment reports for children with dyslexia, I’m always mindful that the recommendations section is one of the most important parts. Parents often want to know: what can we do at home to help? Finding the right resources can make all the difference in supporting both confidence and progress.

There are two books I recommend time and time again for spelling and writing.

The first is Tricky Spelling in Cartoons by Lidia Stanton. For many children with dyslexia, years of phonics instruction can feel repetitive and exhausting. This book offers something refreshingly different. It uses clever cartoons and humour to help children remember tricky spellings in a visual, memorable way. The playful approach takes the pressure off, and because the images stick, so does the learning. I’ve found this book to be a fantastic tool for children up to around 14 years old—and it’s one I wouldn’t be without.

The second is Descriptosaurus by Alison Wilcox, a brilliant resource for struggling writers. One of the biggest hurdles in writing is knowing where to start. This book provides word banks, phrases, and sentence structures that children can draw upon in their creative writing. It doesn’t replace imagination; instead, it gives children the scaffolding they need to build their ideas with more confidence. I’ve seen how it transforms writing tasks from something daunting into something achievable. Whether used at home or in the classroom, it consistently proves to be a powerful support.

Both of these books share a common strength: they reduce frustration and open up new ways of learning. For children with dyslexia, they provide tools that are engaging, practical, and confidence-boosting. If you’re a parent looking for resources to help with spelling and writing at home, these two titles are an excellent place to start.