A primary school teacher in Glasgow has launched her debut book aimed at helping children with dyslexia discover their unique talents and build confidence. Marissa McCudden wrote “There’s Lots Of Different Types Of Clever” to inspire young readers, particularly after witnessing her daughter, Claudia, struggle with self-esteem issues in comparison to her peers. Claudia, a talented gymnast, faced challenges with reading and writing, prompting Ms. McCudden to address the needs of children facing similar difficulties.
The book highlights various skills beyond academics, emphasizing abilities in art, music, mathematics, and practical problem-solving. Ms. McCudden, 46, explained, “The goal of the book is really just to nurture their self-esteem, build their confidence and to let them believe they can achieve anything they want to achieve.” By showcasing that dyslexia does not diminish intelligence, she hopes to shift perceptions about academic success and encourage children to recognize their value in diverse fields.
Encouraging Recognition of Talent
Written in a dyslexia-friendly format, the book aims to convey that school performance is not the sole determinant of success. Ms. McCudden noted the positive feedback from her students after reading the book in class. “They’re all really enthusiastic,” she stated, adding that children are identifying with various characters in the narrative. “What I love is that there is a ‘clever’ for everyone.”
The book also serves as a collaborative project, illustrated by Michael Spy, who, although lacking formal graphic design experience, contributed significantly to the artwork. Ms. McCudden compared their partnership to the book’s theme of teamwork, where different strengths come together to create something impactful. “Individually, we weren’t able to create what we needed to but when we came together as a team… we were able to produce the book, which we are very proud of,” she said.
Since its launch in September 2023, the duo has aimed to sell around 250 copies in the first year. They are close to reaching that goal, having sold approximately 170 copies so far. Ms. McCudden has plans for additional titles targeting older children with dyslexia and other additional support needs (ASN).
Aiming for Broader Impact
Ms. McCudden encourages readers to consider the book as a meaningful gift during the upcoming festive season. She has received heartfelt feedback from friends and family who resonate with the book’s message, particularly regarding their own experiences with dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). “If people would leave a review, and even if anyone got in contact in terms of their own experience with their child, that would be amazing,” she expressed.
In addition to her work as an author, Mr. Spy, who typically works as a customer manager in a software company, has been actively engaging with primary school students through illustration workshops. He shared that his own children played a role in inspiring the ideas for the drawings. “One of the teachers came up to me and said that some of the boys were so inspired by it they started making their own graphic novels, which made my day,” he said.
The overarching message of the book is to encourage children to pursue their passions, regardless of their academic challenges. Mr. Spy remarked, “I think that if you’ve got a passion, be it art or sport or whatever it is, just go for it. You’re never too young or too old to tap into that talent.”
“There’s Lots Of Different Types Of Clever” is available for purchase online, contributing to a growing dialogue about the importance of recognizing and celebrating diverse talents in children.
