At Tawny Owl Wood, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to discover the joy of reading. Our books are created not only to tell engaging stories but also to provide a welcoming, inclusive and accessible reading experience for children with different needs, abilities and learning styles.
As neurodiverse creators, we understand that traditional books can sometimes feel overwhelming to children who find reading challenging. This is why we carefully consider the design of our books, from the colours and illustrations to the font, page layout and interactive elements. Our aim is to make reading feel less daunting and encourage children to develop a lifelong love of books.
A soft, calming colour palette.
We carefully select soft, calming colours throughout our books to create a visually comfortable reading experience. Bright or harsh colours can be distracting, so we aim to create a gentler visual environment that encourages children to explore each page at their own pace. We also maintain consistency across our whole range.
Soft and welcoming illustrations
Our illustrations are designed to complement the stories without overwhelming the reader. They help bring the characters and their surroundings to life, supporting visual storytelling and giving children opportunities to connect with what is happening.
Clear, easy-to-read fonts
We carefully consider readability when selecting the fonts used in our books. Rather than relying on a specialist typeface, we aim to use clear, accessible lettering that allows children to focus on the words and the story. We recognise that no single font works for everyone, but our intention is to make our books as approachable as possible for a wide range of readers.
Thoughtful sentence layout and spacing
The way text is presented on a page can make a difference to how comfortable a child feels when reading. We pay attention to sentence layout, line spacing and the amount of text displayed at any one time. This can be particularly helpful for children who find dense blocks of text difficult to navigate.
Searching activities that encourage engagement
Reading at Tawny Owl Wood is about more than following the words on a page. We incorporate searching activities that encourage children to look carefully at the illustrations and discover details hidden within the pictures. These activities promote observation, concentration and visual exploration while creating opportunities for discussion between children, parents, carers and teachers.
Full-colour, fully illustrated chapter books
We believe that illustrations should not disappear simply because a child is ready to move on to chapter books. Our chapter books retain full-colour illustrations, helping children visualise the story, connect with the characters and follow the narrative. Pictures can provide valuable context and support understanding, particularly for readers who benefit from visual information alongside written text. By combining longer stories with colour and illustrations, we aim to make the transition from picture books to chapter books more inviting. We want children who might otherwise feel intimidated by pages of text to discover that longer books can be exciting, accessible and enjoyable too.
More than stories: a commitment to inclusion
Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond the physical design of our books. Tawny Owl Wood celebrates diversity, neurodiversity, nature and representation, helping children explore different experiences and understand the world around them. Through our stories, we aim to open conversations about subjects that children may find difficult to discuss, encouraging empathy, kindness, acceptance and understanding.
We also weave nature and conservation into our stories, introducing children to wildlife and the importance of protecting the natural world. In doing so, we hope to nurture curiosity, encourage learning and inspire the next generation to care for both people and the planet.
We understand that children do not all learn, read or experience the world in the same way. This understanding has helped shape the ethos behind Tawny Owl Wood.
At Tawny Owl Wood, we believe that accessibility should be considered from the very beginning, not added as an afterthought. Every design choice is part of our wider aim to help children feel included, build confidence and discover the pleasure of reading.Ultimately, we want every child to feel that books are for them, whatever their reading ability, learning style or background.
