Wiggling Words

By Author / Illustrator

Kate Rolfe

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Two Hoots

ISBN

9781035019601

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

19-02-2026

Synopsis

From the creator of the Waterstones Prize-shortlisted Wolf and Bear, an inspiring story about a child lost in a forest of letters. The perfect book to share with children with dyslexia and other neurodivergence to encourage problem-solving and build confidence.

Verbs, also known as action words, can be pesky things to master and nobody understands the struggle better than the young child in Wiggling Words. Skip, trip, fumble and fall with them as they discover that even though words can be tricky, they can be fun too!

Written and illustrated by Kate Rolfe, winner of the prestigious V&A Student Illustrator of the Year and Macmillan Prize for Illustration runner-up. World Illustration Awards - Children's Publishing Winner 2024; Longlisted for The Carnegies.

Reviews

Louise

Wiggling Words tells the inspiring story of a child lost in a forest of letters. A gentle, imaginative journey designed to uplift children with dyslexia and other forms of neurodivergence. Through playful language and expressive illustrations, the book acknowledges how tricky and frustrating words, especially lively, action packed verbs can be. But with every skip, trip, fumble, and fall, the young protagonist begins to see that reading doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can be full of creativity, resilience, and even fun.

A celebration of persistence and possibility, Wiggling Words encourages young readers to embrace their own unique paths to literacy and confidence. A truely magniicent book to share in any classroom to teach awareness to young children about the struggles some may have. But more than that it celebrates anyone with nuerodiversity or dyslexia and shows them how there is a way forwards; it just might be a bit 'wiggly'.

Picture book / Reviewed by Louise Gahan, teacher