View source for Itch Scritch Scratch by Eleanor Updale and Sarah Horne

{{infobox2
|title=Itch Scritch Scratch
|author=Eleanor Updale and Sarah Horne
|reviewer=Sue Magee
|genre=Dyslexia Friendly
|summary=How do parents who have dyslexia read to their children? Well, one way is by using Barrington Stoke's books which are designed to make reading to children easier - and that's got to be a good thing.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Barrington Stoke
|date=February 2014
|isbn=978-1781122945
|website=
|video=
|aznuk=1781122946
|aznus=1781122946
|cover=1781122946
}}

'''Warning: This Book Will Get Under Your Skin'''

Well, that's what it says on the back of the book and I can promise that it's true.  You might like to wear a pair of those cotton mittens for babies whilst you read.  It will feel awkward, but you'll feel the benefit, honestly.  But - I'm getting ahead of myself.  You want to know about the book.  It's a family story - and the family in question are head lice.

The story is told by a young man, in rhyme and he's quite eloquent about the friends who play in his hair and how they live.  The illustrations add to the story - we see the parents rocking the crib which holds the young lice and we learn quite a lot about their anatomy (slightly too much if you happen to be eating whilst reading, but that's my problem...) and how they spread.  The horrors of the war against the lice is portrayed and there's even a bonus at the end which children will appreciate more than parents!

How does a dyslexic parent or carer read a book to a small child?  That's not a joke.  There isn't a clever punch line coming.  It's very difficult and the problem can be self perpetuating, because it's the children who learn to love books at a young age who do best and they'll pass it on to their children.  Those lovely people at Barrington Stoke are doing their best to help.  ''Itch Scritch Scratch'' is dyslexia friendly but it's not aimed at children with dyslexia - rather at helping adult sufferers to read books to children.  The book has the firm's trade-mark off white paper which cuts out the glare which you can get from white and which distracts.  It's substantial paper so there's no shadow coming through from the reverse.  And the font is clear and easy to read.  There are no tricksy letters made of ribbons or decorated with flowers which confuse the eye.  It's just simple and gloriously clear.

Remember too that even young readers who don't have dyslexia find reading books designed in this way so much easier.  They're more likely to find it a pleasure - and what could be better than that?

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag.

You'll find lots of dyslexia-friendly books for all ages [[:Category:Dyslexia Friendly|here]].

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[[Category:For Sharing]]
[[Category:Eleanor Updale]]
[[Category:Sarah Horne]]