Why we created the mog series

I have been teaching dyslexic children for over 40 years. I trained at St Barts in London under the tutelage of Dr Beve Hornby. Her book Alpha to Omega has been my guide ever since.

However, I have always felt a small niggle caused by not having exactly the perfect readers to accompany the teaching process. The books available were either too boring to keep the children engaged, or too complicated for early readers which only discouraged them.

I needed books that would hit 'the sweet spot' - that would keep the children engaged, having fun and at the same time effectively  teaching them to read.

My sister was a journalist as well as a multimedia artist so I asked for her help.

Our goal was to create fun and engaging readers that strictly follow phonetic patterns in a structured, multisensory approach – a resource that has been sorely lacking in my decades-long practice.

We came up with the idea of a series of early structured reader books abundant with rich illustrations to keep children engaged along with strictly edited text.

The central theme of the books revolves around lovable creatures called Mogs from the planet Big Mog. We chose this theme because it allowed us to introduce names that are easy to read and follow the phonetic patterns being taught, a challenge that could not be met with traditional names.

Common to every book is a simple rhyme that reinforces the phonetic rule being taught. The icon of clapping hands makes it easy for the children to understand what is required. After using the books for some time I am astonished by the way the children recognise the individual rhyme for each of the books and begin to chant it while clapping, wriggling and swaying. It gives them so much joy.

Joy is what these books are all about. They are colourful, light-hearted and fun - exactly what is needed to set a young reader happily on the start of their reading journey.