This book is designed to help those with handwriting difficulties. It does so by:

• identifying and providing answers to the questions most pupils, parents and teachers would like to ask;

• presenting some early requirements for successful teaching;

• referring to handwriting rules. The authors provide ten rules which can help to transform writing, so that it becomes something of which to be proud, rather than a subject of concern.

There are so many handwriting schemes available - some good, some not. So how do you go about selecting one that is going to do the job for you? You don't have the time to assess all that is on the market, but the Handwriting Association does ... and they've done just that in this terrific manual.

They have had a good look at each scheme, provided illustrations and comments on each so that you can make an informed choice.

We all know that like reading, spelling and maths, handwriting is a skill that has to be taught. But it is a complex skill involving a wide range of abilities - and with the growing demands on children to learn an ever broader curriculum it becomes more difficult to commit the time to developing this particular skill.

So we can wring our hands and shake our heads ... or we can take the advice in this handy booklet about how to develop a policy in your school that works. This is full of practical tips about how to get all the staff involved, teaching the basics, how to help children who are struggling, monitoring and assessment and many other key areas. Every primary school should have a copy of this invaluable little book.