Words Tangled by Olivia Von Holt revolves around Sophie, whose dyslexia makes reading and writing difficult at school. Moving to America as a child, she improves her English through music and cartoons but still feels disconnected from language. She persists through school with the help of technology, using spellcheck and digital tools to manage her written work. While not easy, she excels in math and art, where words are less central. In college, a professor helps her understand that her difficulties have a name—dyslexia. With this diagnosis, she gains access to resources like voice-to-text software and specialized learning strategies. Embracing her strengths, she writes a book about her journey, which becomes a bestseller. Her success inspires others, showing that differences can become sources of strength.

Olivia Von Holt gives readers a delightfully informative read in Words Tangled and does so in a writing style that is as encouraging as it is empathetic. Every step of the way, Sophie feels like an authentic young girl, and later a woman. I love that the lengths one goes to succeed as a differently-abled learner is depicted without ever feeling forced or overly didactic, and both my youngest and middle-grade readers enjoyed it. The illustrations are nothing short of extraordinary—executed in a contemporary animation style with fantastic jewel-toned colors. The artwork elevates the story to one of the highest artistic standards I’ve encountered in some time, making Words Tangled a lovely celebration of perseverance and a must-read for those on the lookout for an uplifting, visually stunning, and emotionally touching read. Very highly recommended.

Olivia Von Holt and Vilo Studios present Words Tangled. Follow Sophie through her academic life, from Little Sophie to a confident woman. As a young student, Sophie struggled to understand the combination of letters, but she found solace in numbers. Her chaotic school environment caused some social anxiety, but her home was calm and fulfilling. However, when she moved from Germany to America, she was concerned about keeping words straight in her mind as she held onto her native tongue and immersed herself in English. Painting helped her close stress channels, and her art spoke in a universal language. In high school and college, digital technology made her life easier, but she still worried about keeping up with her peers, and her reading skills suffered until a college professor mentioned something that could change her understanding of the challenge that had troubled her.

Little Sophie panics when she tries to read because the words seem to scramble. Olivia Von Holt echoes a dyslexic child's fear and communicates it with depth and compassion. Her references to cats and dogs concerning words on a page make the confusion easier for children to understand. My teenager suffers from dyslexia, and, sometimes, it seems she hardly holds her head above water while others swim freely around her. Sophie's story helped my younger children understand their sister's perspective a little better. Sophie's story is inspiring, and the challenges made her more tenacious, motivating her to write a book about her difficulties. The beautiful, full-color illustrations will grab your attention as you turn the pages. Words Tangled will benefit children with dyslexia and others who know someone going through similar circumstances.