What This Book Is About
Matt Formston always dreamed of riding the biggest waves in the ocean. There was just one thing different about Matt's dream—he could barely see. By the age of five, Matt had lost almost all of his vision to a rare eye condition. But giving up was never an option. With the help of his family and a voice guiding him from the beach, Matt learned to surf by sound, by feel, and by sheer determination.
Today Matt Formston is a world champion adaptive surfer and a Paralympic cyclist who has competed at the highest levels of sport. This beautifully illustrated picture book, written by John Dickson with vibrant art by Phillip Bunting, tells his inspiring true story. It features braille alongside conventional text, making it one of the first mainstream children's books designed for both sighted and visually impaired readers to share together.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For A1-level readers (Grade 2), this book hits the mark for three reasons.
First, it is genuine non-fiction—something young learners at international schools like UWC encounter constantly across subjects. Giving children a real-life hero to read about builds their confidence with informational texts early on.
Second, the language is simple and clear, perfectly matched to A1 comprehension, yet the story itself is deeply compelling. Children stay engaged because Matt's journey is full of courage and excitement—the kind of narrative that makes kids want to keep turning pages.
Third, it opens up important conversations about disability, inclusion, and perseverance—values that sit at the heart of UWC's mission and that resonate strongly in Singapore's diverse, multicultural community.
Reading Level Guide
Building foundations. Children at Pre-A1 can enjoy this book with a parent reading aloud and discussing the pictures together.
Perfect difficulty. Simple sentences and vivid illustrations support independent reading.
Comfortable read at A2. A quick, rewarding book that still sparks great discussion about perseverance.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.