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< Picture Books Library
Categories: Courage, Disabilities, Sadness

Hudson Hates School

A useful introduction to dyslexia for children, this book reassures children that dyslexia should not be a barrier to success if it is properly recognised and managed.
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Hudson Hates School

Author: Ella Hudson
Illustrator: Ella Hudson
Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children's Books

Hudson hates school, especially spelling tests. He struggles with them and has convinced himself he is ‘stupid’. His classmates laugh at him and taunt him for not being able to spell, and his teacher keeps him in at break time for extra practice. After school one day, he tearfully tells his mum he is ‘never going back to school’. His mum intervenes by calling his teacher, and Mr Shapland, a trained assessor, visits Hudson at school. Mr Shapland tests Hudson by showing him pictures with missing parts, and asks Hudson to make patterns with blocks. He explains why Hudson is finding it hard to learn as quickly as his friends: he has a learning difficulty called dyslexia. He gives Hudson lots of information about dyslexia, and how Hudson’ s brain processes information in a different way (which means it is having to work harder). The school arrange for Hudson to have some of his lessons in a different classroom with other dyslexic children. He has a new teacher for these lessons. His work really improves, and he is much happier…and actually begins to quite like school!

This video link is provided to help an adult assess the book's suitability for a child's situation before purchasing it. It has been filmed by a third party and hosted on YouTube and is not made by Little Parachutes. More info
Things we liked:

Hudson is a very likeable and believable character who children should relate to.

Worth noting:

Hudson's teacher (Miss French) comes across as rather unsympathetic at the beginning of the book. She keeps Hudson in at break time when he is struggling with his spellings, which Hudson perceives as a punishment. However, it is Miss French who eventually contacts Hudson's mother (it is unclear whether it is his teacher or his mother who suggests having Hudson assessed for dyslexia).

The messages we found in this book:

Acknowledgement:

It is very difficult for Hudson to deal with his school friends teasing him and laughing at him. He feels very hurt and ashamed, and he secretly believes that he must be less intelligent than his classmates because of the way he struggles with some schoolwork.

Guidance:

  • Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that mainly affects reading and spelling.
  • Dyslexia affects people differently
  • The left and right side of the brains of dyslexic people process information differently than people who do not have it
  • People with dyslexia have to work harder to sort out words and numbers, so it is likely to take them more time.
  • People with dyslexia are no less intelligent than people without it
  • Further information for parents about dyslexia is provided at the end of the book, as well as links to resources.
  • Confiding in an adult about a problem will not get a child into trouble

Hope & Inspiration:

Hudson shows courage and honesty when he admits to his mum that he is unhappy at school. His situation improves greatly. He realises that he doesn’t really hate school (in fact, he quite enjoys it), and he makes new friends. He realises he’s not ‘stupid’.

Review by: Claire Ward-Dutton

Categories: Courage, Disabilities, Sadness
Tags: anger, anxiety, courage, dyslexia, prejudice



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What is a Parachute Book?

A challenging experience can make a young child feel as if they are in emotional free fall. As a parent, you can’t stop them falling, but you can offer them a softer landing:
a Parachute Book.

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The information provided on the Little Parachutes website is not a substitute for professional care by a qualified practitioner, and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are concerned about the health and wellbeing of yourself or children in your care, you should always consult an appropriate healthcare professional.