What This Book Is About
Matt Formston had lost most of his sight by the age of five. He went on to become a Paralympic cyclist and a world champion para-surfer. This is his life story, written for readers of about seven to twelve: the diagnosis, his school years, and the sporting career that followed.
It is an illustrated biography, written by John Dickson and illustrated by Philip Bunting, and it is the first book in the Big Visions series, published by Berbay Books in partnership with Vision Australia. The pages set braille alongside the printed text.
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.