Overview

In this exploration of dyslexia, ADHD and neurodivergent people, Australian Children's Laureate Sally Rippin asks: What happens to kids who don’t learn how to read? And how can we help?   When Sally Rippin discovered her child was struggling to read, the best-selling children’s author assumed it would sort itself out over time. She couldn’t have been more wrong. Her son’s dyslexia and ADHD went unsupported for years, leaving him further and further behind his peers, and labelled as ‘difficult’ by an education system that couldn’t easily cater to neurodivergent kids. By the time Sally learned how to advocate for her child, it was – almost – too late.   This extraordinary book for parents is about how we learn to read and what can happen if we don’t, through the eyes of a parent who started out by doing everything the wrong way. Through meticulous research, interviews with educational experts and conversations with neurodivergent adults, Rippin shares her brilliant and eye-opening insights into how we can help all kids find the joy in reading, and advocate for them within our schooling system. After all, they say school isn’t for everyone, but if everyone must go to school – then why not?  

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9781760507640

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Reviews

'Sally Rippin is one of Australia's most beloved children's authors, but this book is her true gift to parents. Wild Things throbs with love, compassion and, above all, hope for children who happen to find written words really hard.' - Alice Pung OAM, author of Unpolished Gem 'This illuminating, big-hearted, deeply humane book is both essential guide and powerful call to action. A much-needed source of solace and empowerment for any parent with a child who struggles at school, this is also a vital commentary on the desperate need for a better resourced and more inclusive education system. Left me heartbroken, inspired, and fired up to create change for the kids locked out of all that reading brings.' - Rachel Power, author of The Divided Heart

'Sally Rippin is one of Australia's most beloved children's authors, but this book is her true gift to parents. Wild Things throbs with love, compassion and, above all, hope for children who happen to find written words really hard.' - Alice Pung OAM, author of Unpolished Gem 'This illuminating, big-hearted, deeply humane book is both essential guide and powerful call to action. A much-needed source of solace and empowerment for any parent with a child who struggles at school, this is also a vital commentary on the desperate need for a better resourced and more inclusive education system. Left me heartbroken, inspired, and fired up to create change for the kids locked out of all that reading brings.' - Rachel Power, author of The Divided Heart and journalist for the Australian Education Union. 'Wild Things shows what happens in an education system that isn't built to support different learning styles. This is a must-read for parents, teachers and universities wanting to learn how we can create an inclusive and accessible education system for everyone.' - Eliza Hull, disability advocate and editor of We've Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents 'This one's for the kids who couldn't and shouldn't be tamed. Celebrated children's author Sally Rippin turns her attention to ADHD, autism and dyslexia, having watched her own son struggle. Wild Things is a compassionate and passionate inquiry into how kids are let down - and how they can be held aloft.' - Jenny Valentish, journalist and author of Everything Harder Than Everyone Else

'Sally Rippin is one of Australia's most beloved children's authors, but this book is her true gift to parents. Wild Things throbs with love, compassion and, above all, hope for children who happen to find written words really hard.' - Alice Pung OAM, author of Unpolished Gem 'This illuminating, big-hearted, deeply humane book is both essential guide and powerful call to action. A much-needed source of solace and empowerment for any parent with a child who struggles at school, this is also a vital commentary on the desperate need for a better resourced and more inclusive education system. Left me heartbroken, inspired, and fired up to create change for the kids locked out of all that reading brings.' - Rachel Power, author of The Divided Heart 'Wild Things shows what happens in an education system that isn't built to support different learning styles. This is a must-read for parents, teachers and universities wanting to learn how we can create an inclusive and accessible education system for everyone.' - Eliza Hull, disability advocate and editor of We've Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents

Author Information

The Australian Children’s Laureate, Sally Rippin, is a best-selling and beloved author for children. Her most popular series include Billie B Brown, Hey Jack!  and School of Monsters, and she has over 10 million books in print worldwide. She is also the author of one book for adults, Wild Things: How We Learn to Read and What Can Happen If We Don’t.    Sally loves to write stories with heart featuring characters that resonate with children and is passionate about literacy and access to stories. She travels across the world speaking with parents, teachers and librarians about how to engage struggling readers.   In 2024, Sally was named the eighth Australian Children’s Laureate, a two-year appointment to promote the importance and transformational power of reading, creativity and story in the lives of young Australians.  

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