The Wow of Reading – Making Print Accessible for Every Learner

World Book Day is always one of my favourite days in the school calendar. It reminds us of something powerful and simple: stories matter, print matters. Books introduce us to new worlds, new ideas and new voices. They spark curiosity, laughter and imagination. For many of us, reading also brings back memories of childhood (Alice in Wonderland for me!) favourite characters, shared stories and the feeling of being completely absorbed in a book.

“One of my earliest memories of stories was not actually reading a book at all. It was listening. I remember sitting with a cassette tape of Alice in Wonderland from Sutton Library, narrated by Prunella Scales. I must have listened to it dozens of times. The tape would start, the music would play, and suddenly I was in Wonderland with Alice, following the White Rabbit, meeting the Mad Hatter, and trying to make sense of that strange and fascinating world. Long before I could confidently read every word myself, I already knew the story. I knew the characters, the rhythm of the language and the feeling of being completely absorbed in it. It remains a vivid core memory for me. Looking back now, I realise that those story tapes were not separate from reading. They were part of how I became a reader.”

— Dr Sarah Moseley

That sense of wonder is what makes reading special. But alongside celebrating books, World Book Day is also a good moment to pause and ask an important question.

Can every learner access that experience?

Across schools we are seeing increasing diversity in how learners approach reading. Some pupils pick up print easily and quickly become fluent readers. Others need more time, more practice or more support to connect meaning with print. Some learners access stories through listening, discussion, symbols, technology or AAC.

If reading is only presented through traditional print, many pupils can feel as though stories are happening around them rather than being something they can take part in. For me, the real “wow” of reading is not just the books themselves. It is the moment when a learner who previously felt excluded from reading suddenly connects with a story.

That might happen when:

• a pupil hears a powerful audiobook
• a story is brought to life through drama or role play
• a class explores a text through images and discussion
• assistive technology reads the text aloud
• a learner uses AAC or symbols to contribute ideas about the story

These experiences do not replace reading. They are reading. They provide access to ideas, vocabulary and meaning while supporting learners to develop confidence with print.

Free Resources

To support inclusive and multi-modal approaches to reading, I’ve shared a free collection of resources here: World Book Day 2026 - Wakelet
Practical ideas, tools and strategies to help more learners access print and develop confidence with reading.

From a learning perspective, this approach makes sense. The brain builds understanding by connecting new ideas with existing knowledge. The more ways learners encounter language and meaning, through listening, talking, seeing and experiencing stories, the more connections are formed. In simple terms, the brain builds stronger learning pathways when meaning is explored through multiple routes.

This is why multi-modal approaches to literacy matter so much. When stories are explored through discussion, visuals, performance, technology and shared experiences alongside print, more learners can engage with the meaning of a text.

Importantly, this is not about lowering expectations. Learners can still encounter rich stories, ambitious vocabulary and powerful ideas. The difference is that we widen the ways pupils can access them.

The goal remains the same: developing confident readers who enjoy books. World Book Day is a celebration of stories. It is also a reminder that stories should belong to everyone. When we think creatively about how learners access texts, more children experience the excitement, curiosity and joy that reading can bring. And that is where the real wow of reading begins!

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If you found this blog helpful, you might also be interested in our free course, created by myself and Dr Helen Ross, which explores practical and engaging ways to support learners with dyslexia and literacy differences (Use Launch25 for 25% off)

Supporting SEND in Mainstream Classrooms — Dr. Sarah Moseley Educational Consultant

You may also enjoy reading some of my other blogs and resources, including practical strategies for inclusive literacy, adaptive teaching and removing barriers to learning Blog | Enhance Learning Today - Get Inspired — Dr. Sarah Moseley Educational Consultant

You are also very welcome to book a free discovery call or email me send@drsarahmoseley.com to discuss training, consultancy or support for your school or organisation.