Behind the Scenes: How ABC Trace and Write Came to Life (245 Pages)
- Mar 19
- 5 min read
Every book has a story behind it, and ABC Trace and Write is no exception. Unlike the stories we’ve written before, this one wasn’t born from a single lightbulb moment. Instead, it was shaped by years of personal experience, struggles, and one powerful realization—learning difficulties don’t define a child’s potential.
This isn’t just a handwriting book. It’s the start of something bigger—a mission to make learning more accessible, enjoyable, and stress-free for children who struggle with reading, writing, and math.
The Moment of Realization: A Personal Battle with Dyslexia and Dyscalculia
We always knew dyslexia and dyscalculia ran in the family. But knowing it in theory and watching your child struggle first hand? Two very different things.
Our daughter devoured books like they were the last ones on Earth, yet when it came to spelling and handwriting, things were far from smooth sailing. She was one of the last in her class to get her pen license—not just because she’s left-handed, but because writing felt like a battle. Spelling was no better. Her grammar and comprehension were excellent, but spelling? A completely different story.
And then there was math.
Telling the time? Late.
Learning times tables? Late.
Doing her math homework without protest? Never.
She would cry, argue, and repeatedly ask, “Why do I need to know this if there are calculators?” (Honestly, fair question—one that most adults would agree with, considering how many of us keep the calculator app permanently open on our iPhones.) Yet, in the same workbook, the toughest logic-based problems were the ones she solved with ease.
How could basic math be a daily struggle while mathematical abstract concepts and physics made perfect sense?
Getting Answers: Testing & Support
The real turning point came when she was formally tested. The results were clear: she had both dyslexia and dyscalculia, but the latter was far more severe.
With the right educators, extra resources, and structured learning techniques, she started to thrive. The child who once dreaded math was suddenly excelling in it—eventually earning a Grade A in her A-level English exams—proof that persistence and the right support can make all the difference. She was also among the first students to sit written exams after COVID restrictions were lifted, making her achievement even more significant.
People need to recognize that dyslexia and dyscalculia are not barriers to success. They don’t hold children back—what truly limits them is a lack of understanding and the right support systems.
These children aren’t less capable; they just need different tools. And that’s why we decided to start creating educational books.
The Writing Process: Turning Challenges into Resources
How ABC Trace and Write Came to Life
Creating ABC Trace and Write wasn’t just about putting letters on a page. It was about making learning feel doable, especially for kids who struggle with traditional methods.
Some key features we focused on:
Repetition without boredom – Practicing letters shouldn’t feel like a punishment.
Multisensory learning – Tracing, coloring, and interactive activities to reinforce letter recognition in multiple ways.
Confidence-building exercises – Because no child should feel "behind" before they even get started.
At 245 pages, this book is huge. But that’s intentional—kids can take their time, explore at their own pace, and actually enjoy the process.
What Almost Made It (But Didn’t)
Not everything we planned made it to the final book. Some ideas that hit the cutting room floor:
A “Pen License” Progress Tracker – Inspired by our daughter’s experience, we thought about adding a fun achievement system. Maybe in a future edition!
A Mini Dyslexia/Dyscalculia Guide for Parents – We debated including a short guide to recognizing learning difficulties but realized it deserved its own book.
Themed Alphabet Sections – At one point, we considered grouping letters by themes (animals, food, nature), but ultimately, simplicity won.
A Book with a Bigger Purpose
This book may be about handwriting, but it represents something much bigger.
It’s just the first step in our mission to create a collection of educational books covering English and math—books designed to make learning less stressful and more engaging for kids with different learning needs.
We also want to highlight global teaching strategies. There are incredible educational methods used around the world that aren’t widely adopted elsewhere. Our goal? To bring these approaches into future books, making learning more accessible for everyone.
The Title That Almost Wasn’t
Naming a handwriting book? Harder than you’d think. Some of the options we tossed around:
Trace, Write, and Play!
Fun with Letters!
The Big ABC Adventure!
In the end, ABC Trace and Write kept things simple and clear—exactly what we wanted for this book.
Doubts & Breakthroughs
Like any big project, we had our fair share of second-guessing:
Would kids actually enjoy this?
Are we making it too simple? Too complicated?
Have we included too many pages?
How do we make handwriting feel less like homework?
But then, my daughter and I thought about it. If books like this had been available when she was younger, would she have felt more confident in her writing? Absolutely.
That was all the motivation we needed.
Funny Writing Mishaps
Of course, no writing process is without its hiccups. Some of our finest mistakes included:
Spelling errors in an educational book – The irony was painful. No, we won’t tell you which word it was.
A shape that looked way too silly – One tracing activity ended up forming a doodle that had us laughing for minutes. Let’s just say it didn’t look like a letter!
Testing on adults – We asked some adults to try it before finalizing the book. Turns out, some of them needed handwriting practice too!
More Than Just Letters
At its core, ABC Trace and Write is more than just an activity book—it’s a stepping stone.
It’s for the kids who need extra time.
It’s for the parents looking for ways to make learning fun.
It’s for the teachers searching for engaging resources.
And most of all, it’s a reminder that struggling with learning doesn’t mean you aren’t smart. It just means you learn differently.
This book is just the beginning.
Over time, we plan to create more books—covering foundational to intermediate English and math—to support kids with different learning styles. Because when we stop forcing kids into a one-size-fits-all system, we make room for all of them to succeed.
And if nothing else, ABC Trace and Write proves that handwriting can be fun—even if it takes a few funny mistakes to get there!
Get Your Copy
ABC Trace and Write is available now on Amazon! This book is designed to support children in building confidence in their handwriting skills while making the learning process engaging and enjoyable. Whether you're a parent looking for extra resources, a teacher seeking new ways to help students, or simply someone who believes in making education accessible, this book is for you. Give your child the tools to succeed—grab your copy today!
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