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Top 5 Audiobooks for Dyslexic Kids to Listen This Summer

Summer is just around the corner and children are highly anticipating this season because they can have longer time to play, watch their favorite show or movie, or to simply just have fun. But of course, too much playing is a bad thing. Parents should still make sure that there is always a balance between a child’s leisure and learning. 

As for dyslexic children, summer gives them a break from pressure and negative feedback at school. And aside from having fun, it is also a good time for them to catch up and improve their skills without experiencing emotional distress.  

So, what is the best way to make sure that learning is continuous even if kids are on a summer vacation? 

According to an article published by the Public School Review, spending some time  reading during the summer break is very significant that if a child fails to do it, will likely result in a two-year reading setback. Reading Partners (2015) also stated that if a child reads at least five books in summer, the important literacy skills will be maintained.

Now, dyslexic readers do not need to worry about struggling to read every page of a book because listening to audiobooks still counts as reading and in fact, can lead to a more profound reading comprehension. Audiobooks are found very helpful in introducing children with learning challenges to books that are above their reading level. Moreover, audiobooks also hone their critical listening ability (Brown, 2007). 

Here are the top 5 recommended audiobooks for dyslexic kids to listen this summer:

1. I Am Just Me: My Life with Dyslexia and Dysgraphia By Sky Burke. This audiobook will definitely bring inspiration and motivation to children with dyslexia and dysgraphia because the author herself is a 12-year old dyslexic and dysgraphic. It tells the story of how the author overcame her struggles and self-advocate for herself by gaining permission from the school to use an iPad. This audiobook highlights the importance of modern technology in helping students with learning challenges to learn better. 

2. What If You Had Animal Feet? By Sandra Markle. This audiobook is perfect for dyslexic learners who are interested in science, especially animals. It features various species in the animal kingdom with a focus on the characteristics and functions of their feet. This audiobook is a part of the successful What If series written by the author and will surely educate its listeners while making them laugh.   

3. My Math Monster By E.M Olson. This audiobook tells the life of a boy named Alexander Applebee who has a math monster that distracts him every time he has to study math. This story teaches children that everyone has their own “monster” or “fear” and the only way to defeat this monster is to learn how to face and overcome their greatest fear.   

4. How To Scare the Pants Off Your Pet: Ghost Buddy (Book 3) By Henry Winkler. Originally a part of  How To Scare the Pants Off Your Pet series, this audiobook will surely appeal to dyslexic children as it features an adventure that is very enjoyable, helping them to appreciate reading even more. It is not only entertaining but it also brings a moral lesson about acceptance and overcoming challenges.   
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5. Focused Ninja: A Children’s Book About Increasing Focus and Concentration at Home and School (Ninja Life Hacks) By Mary Nhin and Grow Grit Press. Both comedic and informative, this audiobook teaches children how to focus and maintain their attention on the tasks they need to accomplish. It contains several strategies that will help dyslexic children improve their concentration and overcome the overwhelming feeling of doing things. Most of all, this audiobook features a very lovable protagonist and is narrated in a way that dyslexic listeners will easily understand. 


Summer is a perfect time for parents to teach their children that reading is enjoyable and they can do it just for pleasure. Listening to audiobooks is also another fun way of bonding with your kids this summer. Whether it’s a book or an audiobook, you’d definitely want to include reading in your child’s list of summer activities.

Make summer reading a habit! 


Sources:

Brown, D. (2007). Summer Reading Strategies for Children with Dyslexia. Strategies for Summer Reading for Children with Dyslexia | LD Topics | LD OnLine

Chen, G. (2020). How Should Students Spend Summer Vacation? Public School Review. How Should Students Spend Summer Vacation? (publicschoolreview.com)

Martin, J. (n.d). Do Audiobooks Get in the Way of Reading? Do Audiobooks Get in the Way of Learning to Read? | Understood - For learning and thinking differences

Reading Partners (2015). Why Is It Important To Read Over The Summer? SummerAtHomeOnePagerFinal.pdf (readingpartners.org)