The fact that October is International Dyslexia Month and my birthday is a coincidence that is too perfect not to capitalize on.

I’d like to share a story about Ian, my son with dyslexia.

He’s now 13, but when he was younger he loved checking picture books out from the library for my husband, Shane, and I to read to him. He loved books by Chris Van Dusen, Ninja Red Riding Hood, and The Book With No Pictures.

By about 3rd or 4th grade, he stopped bringing picture books home from the library. His classmates had moved on to chapter books — books he couldn’t read by himself.

But the rule was that he had to get a book from the library each week. What did he do? He checked out a book he couldn’t read, kept it in his backpack for a week, and returned it the next.

This broke my heart.

The kinds of books Ian is interested in are beyond his reading abilities (but not beyond his listening skills). He loves a graphic novel, but most of them are really hard to read. Have you seen the vocab in Captain Underpants? Decodable text books are easier, but they are expensive to buy.

My goal with this fundraiser is to put the money towards purchasing books for his school’s library from publishers who specialize in decodable texts for older kids looking for more interesting content to read. Working with the special education department, we can choose books that appeal to kids with reading differences that they aren’t embarrassed about reading: “big kid” decodable text chapter books and graphic novels. Publishers would include High Noon Books, Capstone Press, PhonicBooks, and

No kid should be embarrassed at the library! I’ll be sure to share the list of books selected. Hopefully we can share some with the Orono Public Library as well.

What is dyslexia? I’m so glad you asked!

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects an individual's ability to read, write, and spell. It is characterized by:

Difficulty with phonological processing: Trouble breaking down and manipulating sounds in words.

Poor decoding skills: Difficulty converting letters into sounds and blending them into words.

Slow and inaccurate reading: Reading slowly, making mistakes, and struggling with unfamiliar words.

Spelling difficulties: Difficulty with spelling patterns and rules.

Dyslexia is not a sign of low intelligence or laziness. It is a neurobiological difference in the brain that affects language processing. The severity of dyslexia can vary, with some individuals experiencing mild difficulties while others may have more significant challenges.

Dyslexia is a lifelong condition — there’s no “cure.” Ian is lucky that today’s technology can help him lead a very normal life, but his struggles will never fully disappear. People with dyslexia often excel in other areas, such as math, science, art, or engineering. They often see the world a little bit differently, and we are so fortunate that they do!

Thanks for reading ❤️