Azzie doesn't like school. If she could spend every day drawing, painting and making stuff, life would be great. But she can't. The teachers make her do stuff that means she has to read from the board, a worksheet or a text book. The trouble is, she really struggles to read letters, words and numbers. This makes her feel stupid. But she isn't. This book has been written from the point of view of a child who feels misunderstood. She finds it very difficult to read, which makes school life a struggle. She feels stupid, even though she is clever and creative. She gets told off for messing around, when the truth is she can't do what is asked of her because she has a specific learning difficulty. This illustrated book helps parents, teachers, and other adults who support children, have a non-threatening discussion about dyslexia with children of primary school age. Children find it easier to relate to, and discuss, the character in the story rather than have all the attention focused on them. Using the book as a catalyst for discussion, adults can use the illustrated story at home or in school with children who have dyslexia, or exhibit dyslexic tendencies.Teachers can use the book to help classmates better understand their peers who may struggle reading.
Similarly, parents can use the book to help children better understand family members. This book was written and illustrated by someone who is herself dyslexic, and is based on her own life. She wanted to do something to help children who, years later, are still facing the same lack of understanding in school. As with all of its books, the publisher aims to help people know they are not alone with what makes them different. If a young person or adult can relate to a story, it gives them hope and encourages them to share their concerns. The publisher aims to provide free teaching resources for all of its books that can be used in schools, to help improve understanding and celebrate differences.
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Elizabeth Montgomery lives in Nottinghamshire, England. She studied a BA in Design at Leicester's De Montfort University, going on to complete an MA in writing at Nottingham University. Montgomery pursued various careers, including teaching, working for the Prince's Trust and designing bespoke shoes for celebrities, before finally becoming a registered nurse
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