Second-grader Alex loves stories, but letters wiggle on the page-until a magical journey to The Land of Dancing Letters teaches him to read with confidence.
The first book in the All Brains series, Alex and the Dancing Letters is a gentle, empowering picture book about dyslexia and dyslexia-like challenges for early readers ages 5-7. This inclusive story blends imagination with evidence-based literacy tools, celebrating neurodivergent brains, inclusive classrooms, and supportive teachers.
Alex is a bright, curious kid who loves stories, but when he looks at the page, the letters wiggle, flip, and dance. Reading aloud makes his stomach twist, and he feels embarrassed when the words refuse to stay still. When he's swept away to the magical Land of Dancing Letters during quiet reading time, the letters give him three simple strategies: a colored reading strip, tracing words with his finger, and breaking big words into smaller parts. With the support of his teacher and a classmate, he uses his new skills and discovers confidence and joy.
The letters still dance, but now they dance with him.
About All Brains series: Written by Stephanie Campbell, an early childhood and special education teacher and international speaker, All Brains is an empowering series that celebrates and supports uniquely wonderful neurodivergent brains. Each book also includes free downloadable lesson plans and classroom resources for teachers.
PERFECT FOR:Children with dyslexia or dyslexia-like reading challenges
Struggling and reluctant readers, ages 5-7
Neurodivergent kids, including ADHD and learning differences
Classroom read-alouds and social emotional learning (SEL) resources
Back-to-school, IEP, and special education classrooms
Growth mindset and confidence-building books for kids
Kids who want to see themselves represented in a book