A primary school teacher from Glasgow has released her debut book, aiming to inspire children with dyslexia to recognize their unique talents and enhance their self-confidence. Marissa McCudden was motivated to write this book after observing her daughter, Claudia McCudden, struggle with self-esteem issues related to her reading and writing abilities.
Claudia, who excelled in gymnastics, often felt discouraged when comparing herself to her peers. McCudden noted that these feelings intensified during homework time when fatigue from a full school day made tasks seem even more daunting. “She would say she’s not clever or that she’s stupid, and she was at the time a county champion gymnast, three years running,” McCudden explained.
The book, titled There’s Lots Of Different Types Of Clever, showcases various skills and talents exhibited by schoolchildren, including art, music, mathematics, and practical problem-solving. McCudden emphasized that academic performance should not be the sole measure of a child’s abilities. “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,” she stated.
Encouraging Diverse Talents
Written in a dyslexia-friendly format, the book aims to convey the message that talents extend beyond traditional academic skills. McCudden has already shared the book with her classroom, receiving a positive and enthusiastic response from her students. “What I love is that there is a ‘clever’ for everyone,” she noted. Many children identified with the different types of cleverness presented in the book, which she hopes will motivate them to explore various career paths and life skills.
The illustrations for the book were created by Michael Spy, who, despite lacking formal graphic design training, drew upon his childhood passion for art. McCudden highlighted the collaborative nature of their project, stating, “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.”
Since its launch in September 2023, McCudden and Spy set a goal of selling approximately 250 copies within the first year. They are currently on track to exceed this target, having sold around 170 copies already. The duo plans to expand their efforts with additional books focused on older children facing dyslexia and other additional support needs.
Building a Supportive Community
McCudden believes the book would make an excellent gift during the festive season. She has received support from friends and family who have shared their experiences with children who have dyslexia or autism spectrum disorder. “It’s really hit home and that it’s exactly the message the children need to hear,” she said, encouraging readers to leave reviews or share their personal stories related to the book.
Spy, who typically works as a customer manager for a software company, has also engaged with the educational community by hosting illustration workshops in primary schools. He shared that some students were so inspired by the book that they began creating their own graphic novels. “I think that if you’ve got a passion, be it art or sport or whatever it is, just go for it,” he advised.
The book is available for purchase online, providing a resource aimed at nurturing the potential of children with dyslexia and encouraging them to explore their diverse talents.
