Encourage Challenged Readers with These Helpful Combos!

"If you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk," writes author Laura Joffe Numeroff in her best-selling children's book (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie). In the same vein, if you give a child a book, there is a very good chance she will ask for another.

Books are priceless gifts that open doors to children that they might not otherwise have opened to them. Stories teach important lessons, provide escape to faraway lands and introduce children to characters that inspire and remain in their hearts for years to come. So, when it is time to think of a great gift for a child you love, think no further than a favorite book to help him remember your special thoughtfulness. Whether it is to commemorate a birthday, the Holiday Season or other important event, give a book, and chances are, you will hear about your gift often and for a long time to come.

You may wonder, "But what about a child who struggles to read or has challenges that make reading more difficult for him?" Please don't stop thinking about books as worthy gifts if this is the case. In fact, giving a book to a child with a reading challenge like dyslexia or other LD such as ADHD, autism, etc., can actually provide you with an opportunity to present an audio-book or a traditional selection accompanied by helpful reading tools. So, don't hesitate to consider the gift of one of these options that will make a child of any age smile.

Consider choosing a title with a main character that struggles with the very same reading challenge the child experiences. There are more children's books than ever before that demonstrate just how to manage and even overcome many reading and learning issues. Some attack dyslexia or ADHD head on while others infer an academic or other struggle. Whatever the case, when a child reads about a character who experiences the same issues and feelings he has, it can be the first step to helping to deal with that issue. Combine the title with helpful tools or reading aids, and you have an ideal gift option for a child who wants to read and learn with more success.

During this Holiday Season, we have gathered together a very special grouping of favorite children's selections for a variety of age groups to help you with gift giving. With books like these that are paired with innovative reading tools, not only will you be encouraging a child to read, but you will also help provide support, enjoyment, inspiration and improved self-esteem for that child. Of course, being a genuine supporter of literacy and life-long learning will be a wonderful benefit, as well. And there is always the very good chance that the child will ask for another book to read just like the mouse with the cookie and the glass of milk. Happy "Reading" Holidays, everyone!

Book & Tool Gift Sets for Challenged Readers/Learners

- Clementine (ages 6-8) by Sara Pennypacker

- My Name is Brain Brian (ages 8-12) by Jeanne Betancourt

- My Mouth Is a Volcano! (ages 5-8) by Julia Cook

- Tom's Special Talent - Dyslexia (ages 5-7) by Kate Gaynor

- Fish in a Tree (ages 10+) by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

- The Alphabet War: A Story about Dyslexia (ages 5-7) by Diane Burton Robb

- The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book 1) (ages 9+) R. Riordan

- It's Called Dyslexia (Live and Series) (ages 6-9) by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

For more information on customizable reading tools for ADHD and/or dyslexia, please visit: FocusandRead.com ---Tools for challenged readers of all ages!

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC and Amazon.com

2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Challenged Readers

Happy Holidays to all of your faithful blog readers! You know that we are all about helping struggling readers. So as the 2013 Holiday Shopping Season gets well underway this weekend, we wanted to help you save some much-needed shopping time by providing a gift guide for your family members and friends who experience various challenges when reading or learning.

These readers on your holiday gift list may be children, teens or adults who have ADHD focusing issues or symptoms of dyslexia. They might also be seniors who are challenged with low vision, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or even stroke-related issues. They could even be veterans or others recovering from head or other brain injuries. For these good people on your list this year, you might want to give them a gift that just might help improve their ability to read AND their quality of life.

2013 Holiday Gift Guide for Challenged Readers

Franklin Handheld Spelling Devices-Various models from $13.00 to $70.00
These various types of handheld, battery-operated tech devices can be placed into a pocket or purse for easy access. They provide portable spell-checkers, dictionaries, thesauruses and more can be inexpensive lifesavers to those who struggle with all aspects of spelling and writing correctly.
http://www.amazon.com/Franklin-Electronics-NCS-101-SPELLING-CORRECTOR/dp/1567120709/ref=pd_sim_e_1

Reading Focus Card Combo Pack---From $16.95 to $19.95 per tool set
Reading Focus Cards are effective reading tools for those who struggle to follow the lines while reading. The sensory-appealing tools come in two convenient sizes and provide a solution for struggling readers (U.S. Patent 7,565,759) of all ages. With a choice of 3 different colored filters recommended by a developmental optometric group, the customizable Reading Focus Cards block out more surrounding text than other reading tools and allow a reader to read through his or her chosen colored filter.

The shorter Reading Focus Card is best for short lines of text as in regular paperbacks, books with 2 columns of text on a page, math problems, etc. The longer size is best for longer lines of text with children's books, worksheets, larger volumes, science and math equations, documents etc. The 2 sizes of the tool can also be used with tech devices such as Kindles, Nooks, iPads, e-tablets and more.
www.FocusandRead.com/products

e-Reader---Various models from $69.00 and up from Amazon.com
Did you know that an e-reader can be a great option for a struggling reader? This tech device can encourage readers who have dyslexia (diagnosed OR undiagnosed), because:
 Book size won’t be intimidating to the reader
 FREE reading samples can be downloaded for trials
 The font size feature can be changed to limit the number of words on the screen
 Text-to-voice feature can be very helpful---plus other features may help, too!
Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Paperwhite-Ereader/dp/B00AWH595M/ref=sr_tr_sr_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385849874&sr=8-1&keywords=kindle
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/nook/379003208

Laptop Computer---From $299.00 (for a very basic model) and up
If a struggling reader you know is a college student, a laptop may be the perfect gift, especially if it has a Touch Screen with a Windows 8 operating system. Many readers challenged with dyslexia also struggle with writing as well as with organizational issues. Typing is easier for these readers, AND it will also assist them with getting (and staying!) more organized. Visit the various computer company websites or their local branch stores/kiosks for various pricing and usage needs. A wireless service plan will be required.
DELL Computer-http://www.dell.com/ (for PCs)
Apple Computer-http://store.apple.com/us/mac (for Apple OS)

e-Tablet (Regular & mini versions)---From approx. $200.00 and up (depending on where purchased)
Although this type of portable tech hardware will require a separate data plan from your phone or wireless service provider, an electronic tablet can make all the difference in the world for someone who daily struggles to read and learn. Apps can be downloaded (for FREE and/or at various pricings) to assist a challenged reader of almost ANY age with an almost infinite number of tasks and life skills.
DELL e-Tablets-http://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/19/campaigns/dell-venue-tablets-dhs-us (for Android & Windows)
Apple iPads-http://www.apple.com/ipad/ (for iOS)

Smartphone (Android or iOS)---Various prices (depending on where purchased)
It is probably no secret that a handheld device can be indispensable to a challenged reader. A device that can download all kinds of assistive applications (apps) can provide reading assistance, note-taking help, a tech “time coach”, an electronic and/or scanning dictionary, a GPS (global positioning system) and many more helpful “assistants” for a challenged reader. Visit your local phone service company (or online) for the best model and options for an individual’s usage needs. Again, a data plan is required from your phone or wireless service provider.

For information on customizable reading tools:
www.FocusandRead.com Tools for struggling readers of all ages!
www.BrennanInnovators.com Info & support for struggling readers
314-892-3897

Image courtesy of: Brennan Innovators, LLC at www.focusandread.com