Lily and the Mixed-up Letters

When Lily was in kindergarten she enjoyed school and she was happy. Now, she’s in grade 2 and she doesn’t feel like she’s good at anything. The trouble is reading. Whenever she tries, the letters jump around and get all mixed up — and so does she.

When Lily’s teacher announces that the children will read in front of their parents, Lily finally finds the courage to tell her mother about her problem. By working together, Lily’s mom, teacher, and friend Grace find a way to help Lily understand that she has very important strengths and talents. With hard work and new confidence, Lily surprises everyone — even herself — by the time the parents come to hear the kids read.

Gentle illustrations by France Brassard realistically portray the fear, isolation, and low self-esteem that children with dyslexia can experience. Deborah Hodge’s Lily and the Mixed-up Letters is a reassuring read for any child in need of a boost in confidence.

When Lily was in kindergarten she enjoyed school and she was happy. Now, she’s in grade 2 and she doesn’t feel like she’s good at anything. The trouble is reading. Whenever she tries, the letters jump around and get all mixed up — and so does she.

When Lily’s teacher announces that the children will read in front of their parents, Lily finally finds the courage to tell her mother about her problem. By working together, Lily’s mom, teacher, and friend Grace find a way to help Lily understand that she has very important strengths and talents. With hard work and new confidence, Lily surprises everyone — even herself — by the time the parents come to hear the kids read.

Gentle illustrations by France Brassard realistically portray the fear, isolation, and low self-esteem that children with dyslexia can experience. Deborah Hodge’s Lily and the Mixed-up Letters is a reassuring read for any child in need of a boost in confidence.

Children's Literature

Lily's love for school has evaporated now that she is in second grade. When it comes time to read, the letters blur and dance and she can't find the words. As Parent Day approaches, Lily feels sick, because each child is supposed to read a page aloud. After she confesses her fears to her mother, her mother and her teacher, along with her friend Grace, all work to help her, so that on Parent Day Lily can read her page. Heart-warming encouragement for the child with reading problems, this book also shows Lily as a talented artist who can help Grace with her art work. Brassard's sympathetic, naturalistic scenes convincingly depict Lily's world at home and in school. Details add to the anticipated drama of the reading. Watercolors produce attractive youngsters and adults for this real-life story.

Deborah Hodge is an award-winning author of many books for children. Emma’s Story, published in 2003, was her first work of fiction. She is a former elementary school teacher and curriculum writer, editor, and an instructional designer for the British Columbia Ministry of Education. Deborah Hodge lives in Burnaby, British Columbia.

France Brassard has been enchanted with children’s book illustration ever since, as a young child, she received a tiny picture book in her Christmas stocking. After studying Interior and Graphic Design, she returned to her first passion and became a book illustrator. Fifteen years later she has numerous books to her credit. France lives in the province of Quebec with her young son, Luke.