Wiggling Words: questions to ask and activities to try
The words keep wiggling out of the book, so it takes clever thinking to follow the story. Wiggling Words steps inside the creative mind of a neurodivergent reader, and won the Carnegie Medal for Illustration.
What age is it for? Wiggling Words is best for ages 3–6. Good for: A neurodivergent reader's creative mind.
Read it with a child who finds reading hard. Talk about how different brains see words differently, and celebrate creative thinking.
What it helps with
- Dyslexia and reading differences
- Creative, visual thinking
- Persistence with reading
- Different brains, different strengths
Comprehension and discussion questions
Pick two or three, not all of them. “I don’t know” is a fine answer, and you can always come back to it another day.
- “What did the words do?”
- “What did they turn into?”
- “How did the reader follow the story?”
- “Do words ever feel wiggly to you?”
- “What helps you read?”
- “What’s your brain good at?”
5-minute activities to try together
Word pictures
Draw a word so it looks like what it means, like a wiggly “snake”.
Story castle
Build a castle from blocks or boxes and tell its story.
Free printables: Wiggling Words worksheet and activity pack
This book’s one-page worksheet with the questions and activities above, plus our activity pack: printable scenario cards, three 5-minute activities and a “What could I try?” page for practising everyday skills together. Enter your email and download them straight away.
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By the Growing Wise team · Last reviewed: 10 October 2026
Growing Wise offers educational ideas for parents and carers. It is not a substitute for professional medical, developmental or mental-health advice. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.