What Makes Tawny Owl Wood Books Stand Out Above the Rest?
A Neurodivergent-Friendly Approach to Children’s Storytelling & Learning**
When Louise first began writing in 2007, she had no idea where the journey would lead — or how Tawny Owl Wood Children’s Books would grow into the inclusive, neurodivergent-affirming brand it is today.
Fast-forward to 2021. With gentle encouragement from her partner, Louise stepped into writing more intentionally. And with that step, the entire vision of Tawny Owl Wood began to deepen.
Originally meant to be a series of chapter books, the project soon expanded into picture books — and then even further, as Louise started thinking about accessibility, colour, sensory experience, and how to create stories that truly supported neurodivergent children.
That intention is now at the heart of everything we create.
Designed With Neurodivergent Readers in Mind
When we say our books are “neurodivergent-friendly,” we mean it in every sense.
Tawny Owl Wood books are intentionally crafted to support dyslexic, ADHD, autistic, and sensory-sensitive readers.
Both Louise and illustrator Sarah-Leigh are dyslexic. Their lived experience directly shapes the design choices that go into every story:
the colour palette
the font and spacing
the pace and structure
the sensory impact of each page
the level of visual support
With over 20 years of experience and multiple awards, Sarah-Leigh brings Louise’s vision to life through calming, gentle illustrations designed to help readers feel settled, focused, and safe.
Neurodivergent-friendly design isn’t an afterthought.
It’s a foundation.
The Design Theory Behind Our Picture Books
Tawny Owl Wood picture books are full of illustrations — but not just for decoration. Every element is constructed to enhance accessibility:
🌿 Soft Paste Watercolours
Gentle, low-contrast colours support dyslexic and sensory-sensitive children by reducing overwhelm.
🌿 Calm, Flowing Illustration Style
Images are soft, rounded, and designed to guide the reader without overstimulation.
🌿 Dyslexia-Friendly Fonts & Spacious Layouts
Even with around 1,000 words per book, the spacing and layout make the story feel light, breathable, and approachable.
🌿 Language That Engages Growing Minds
Vocabulary is rich enough to encourage growth but never so complex that it becomes discouraging.
Activities That Bring the Stories to Life
One of the unique elements of Tawny Owl Wood is that the learning experience doesn’t end when the story does.
To encourage deeper engagement, multi-sensory learning, and story-based play, Louise has designed an activity for every book. These include:
🧩 Double-Sided Jigsaws
Each puzzle links directly to the story, helping children:
build comprehension
strengthen fine motor skills
stay engaged through hands-on learning
revisit scenes from the book in a calm, structured way
🎨 Activity & Colouring Books
Designed with the same neurodivergent-friendly principles as the books.
These activities:
encourage creativity
support sensory regulation
reinforce story elements
offer a gentle transition from reading to doing
This blend of books + activities creates a full reading experience that supports different learning styles — especially important for neurodivergent children who benefit from multi-sensory engagement.
Why Our Chapter Books Are Different (And Why That Matters)
Traditional chapter books often lose all colour and illustrations, which can be a huge barrier for neurodivergent children. At events across the UK, Louise repeatedly hears the same story from parents:
👉 Their child gave up reading because black-and-white chapter books felt overwhelming.
This isn’t a lack of ability.
It’s a lack of support.
So Louise reimagined chapter books entirely.
Tawny Owl Wood chapter books mirror the picture books, keeping:
soft colour
calming illustrations
dyslexia-friendly fonts
generous spacing
sensory-supportive layout
This approach has already helped many young readers regain confidence and rediscover their love of books.
Supporting Neurodivergent Readers, One Story at a Time
Tawny Owl Wood isn’t just about books — it’s about building supportive reading experiences that embrace the needs of neurodivergent children.
From the gentle colours to the inclusive layouts…
From the accessible chapter books to the hands-on activities and jigsaws…
Every detail is designed to help children feel capable, calm, and excited to turn the next page.
This is what sets us apart.
This is why our books matter.
And this is why we will always create stories where every child belongs.