#69 Why Real Books Are Holding Your Dyslexic Child Back: The Graphic Novel Revolution
Does it feel like you’re constantly defending your child’s reading choices to a well-meaning teacher who insists graphic novels "don’t count"? Are you worried that letting them "just look at the pictures" is actually holding them back? Today, we’re busting the biggest myth in the dyslexia community and looking at why the graphic novel revolution is the breakthrough your struggling reader has been waiting for.
In this episode, I’m sharing the research that proves these books actually pack more sophisticated vocabulary than traditional children's stories - without the "wall of text" that leads to burnout. We’ll talk about why visuals are a total game-changer for comprehension and how they allow your child’s brain to actually process the story instead of just exhausted decoding, plus I’m also giving you the exact scripts to use when you get pushback at school and my personal "no-fail" book list to get your child reading voluntarily.
By the end of this one, you’ll stop stressing over "real books" and start seeing your child finally fall in love with a story!
Would you like to understand reports, ask the right questions, and get schools to take you seriously? Together Through Dyslexia 6-month program provides expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers, and you can claim your spot now at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/together-through-dyslexia!
My mini-course, From Lost to Empowered: How to Get Your Struggling Reader: The 3-Step Evaluation Request Blueprint for Parents of Struggling Readers, is available now! This 3-step evaluation request blueprint walks you through everything you need to know, from documenting concerns with the right details to writing the evaluation request letter with language that triggers legal timelines, to handling what to do when schools try to push you off, and so much more. You can break through the barriers NOW and get instant access at https://www.literacyuntangled.com/from-lost-to-empowered.
Topics Covered:
- What happens cognitively when your child swaps a traditional book for a graphic novel [2:28]
- Why visual context and high-level vocabulary in graphic novels actually reduce cognitive load for struggling readers [3:40]
- The key reasons reading graphic novels builds sophisticated literacy skills that transfer to every other type of text [5:28]
- How to find the perfect high-interest graphic novel to hook your specific reader [6:16]
- Simple, fun strategies to incorporate graphic novels into your home routine without it feeling like "schoolwork" [7:41]
- What to say when teachers claim graphic novels "don't count" as real reading - plus the research to prove them wrong [8:32]
Key Takeaways:
- The ways in which graphic novels are “vocabulary powerhouses.”
- For dyslexic readers, illustrations aren't "cheating" but rather visuals that bridge the comprehension gap.
- Manageable "text chunks" build stamina and engagement is the gateway to fluency.
Links & Resources Mentioned:
Center of Teaching and Learning (University of Oregon)
Hilo Series by Judd Winick
The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey
Bone: The Complete Cartoon Epic in One Volume by Jeff Smith
When you're ready to work with me, here are 3 ways I can help you:
Claim your spot now to Together Through Dyslexia, my 6-month program providing expert mentorship for parents of dyslexics and struggling readers!
Subscribe to my Podcast Literacy Untangled Podcast for bimonthly episodes on navigating the dyslexia journey with your kid.
Want 1:1 help from an Orton-Gillingham expert? Book a call to see how I help kids who are struggling to learn how to read.
Have a question or want a certain topic covered? Send an email to [email protected] or a DM on Instagram.
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