Mum writes book to help dyslexic daughter

A mother has written a book to help parents and children better understand dyslexia following her own daughter's diagnosis.

Dawn Crowle, from Chippenham in Wiltshire, noticed her nine-year-old daughter Sophie struggled with school work while she was being home-schooled during the Covid lockdown.

When Sophie received her diagnosis, at the age of seven, she did not fully understand what the condition was, which prompted Ms Crowle to collaborate with her friend, Rhiannon Jones, to write Sophie's Superpower.

Ms Crowle said the book makes Sophie "beam from ear-to-ear", adding she hopes to raise more awareness of the condition.

Dyslexia is a common condition that mainly causes problems with reading, writing and spelling.

Ms Crowle, who was also diagnosed with dyslexia at 14, noticed similarities to her own childhood and knew she could relate to her daughter.

The book tells the story of Sophie, a young girl who struggles with reading and writing in school, but once she receives a dyslexia diagnosis, everything starts to make sense.

Although the condition brings its own challenges, Sophie learns to embrace it as a superpower and gains confidence and resilience in her abilities.

Ms Crowle said that at school, Sophie often "masked" her struggles during lessons. However, when she got home, she would open up and express her feelings.

"We decided to have her privately tested... it was the best thing we ever did because it came out and there were so many things that we could help and support her with," Ms Crowle said.

On her website, Ms Crowle said that following Sophie's diagnosis she started to look for books at her daughter's level and age that she could read to Sophie to help her understand.

But she said she became "frustrated" she could not find anything and "wanted to write one for Sophie" herself.

"I hope that this story can help and relate to children, parents and teachers, as it has helped Sophie," she said.

The book officially launches on 17 May.

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