Book Review: Here’s Hank

“Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too!” is the first book in the Here’s Hank chapter book series, co-written by actor and author Henry Winkler—who is dyslexic himself—and Lin Oliver. It introduces young readers to Hank Zipzer, a relatable and funny second grader who has dyslexia and faces daily challenges at school. For parents looking for a story that makes a dyslexic child feel seen, this one delivers both a warm message and a design built for easier reading.

What is “Here’s Hank” about?

Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too! is the delightful first installment in the Here’s Hank chapter book series. It introduces Hank Zipzer, a second grader with dyslexia who is excited about trying out for the school play—until he realizes that reading lines in front of others seems impossible. With help from his friends and some surprising turns of events, Hank learns that his strengths can shine even when reading is tough.

The story keeps things light and funny, which matters when the subject is something a child may feel anxious about. Rather than dwelling on struggle, the book follows Hank as he problem-solves his way toward the stage, and readers come away with the sense that a hard moment in school isn’t the end of the story.

What makes Hank a relatable hero?

Hank isn’t your typical classroom superstar. He struggles with spelling, reading, and focusing—but he shines in creativity, kindness, and humor. His unique way of thinking often leads to hilarious situations and unexpected problem-solving. For a child who has spent the school day feeling like the one who can’t keep up, meeting a main character who has the same struggles and is still the hero of his own story can be genuinely powerful.

That representation is a big part of why so many parents reach for this series. Kids who learn differently rarely see themselves at the center of a fun, fast-moving chapter book. Hank gives them a hero who thinks the way they do, and who proves that being different at reading doesn’t mean being less.

Why does this book matter for kids with dyslexia?

What makes Here’s Hank particularly special is how it gently introduces readers to learning differences without making them the focus of pity or limitation. Instead, Hank’s story celebrates resilience, friendship, and finding your own way to succeed. It’s a story that shows kids their differences can also be their strengths, rather than something to hide.

That matters for a few practical reasons:

• It builds confidence. A likable hero with dyslexia signals to your child that struggling with reading is normal and survivable.
• It opens conversations. Hank’s experiences give you a natural way to talk with your child about empathy, learning differences, and confidence.
• It supports independent reading. The book is built for early chapter-book readers, so a dyslexic child can practice reading a real story without it feeling overwhelming.

If you want more titles that do this well, our roundup of Did You Say Pasghetti? covers another accessible story written with struggling readers in mind, and the memoir Being Henry shares Henry Winkler’s own experience growing up with dyslexia.

What is the Dyslexie font, and why does it help?

Here’s Hank is written in a specially designed font called Dyslexie, which helps make the text more readable for children with dyslexia. That makes this a book that’s not only about inclusion but also inclusive in its design—the message and the format work together.

A dyslexia-friendly font like Dyslexie is built to reduce the small visual confusions that can trip up a struggling reader, such as letters that look alike or flip easily. While no font replaces explicit, structured reading instruction, a more readable page can lower the frustration of decoding and help a child stay with the story long enough to enjoy it. Pairing accessible books like this one with a structured-literacy approach—the same evidence-based method behind our Dyslexia Intervention Curriculum—gives your child both the confidence to read and the skills to do it.

Who is this book best for?

Here’s Hank: Bookmarks Are People Too! is a great pick for young readers and an excellent tool for starting conversations about learning differences. It’s especially well suited for:

• Early elementary readers (ages 6–9)
• Kids who are just starting chapter books
• Children who learn differently and need a hero who thinks like they do
• Parents and teachers looking for accessible, empowering stories

With its accessible font, engaging plot, and lovable main character, Here’s Hank is more than just a fun story. It’s a thoughtful, encouraging book that shows all kids their differences can also be their strengths. If your child enjoys Hank’s second-grade adventures, the slightly older Hank Zipzer: Niagara Falls, or Does It? follows the same character into upper elementary and is a natural next step. For hands-on practice alongside the reading, you can also pair these stories with our workbook on Amazon.