10+ Best Handwriting Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect handwriting books for 9-year-olds? Whether your child is just starting to refine their penmanship or looking to master cursive, finding the right resources can make all the difference. In this blog post, we'll explore a variety of handwriting books designed specifically for 9-year-olds, each crafted to improve their writing skills in fun and engaging ways. Keep reading to discover our top picks that could be just what your child needs to become a handwriting pro!

Fun Handwriting Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Explorers of the Wild by Cale Atkinson
  • Genre(s): Adventure, Children's Fiction
  • Synopsis: A young boy and a bear both love exploring the great outdoors. They meet during one of their adventures and learn that exploring is always better with a friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages outdoor play and the spirit of adventure, showing kids the joys of exploring nature and the value of friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young adventurers who enjoy nature and making new friends.

• Cursive Handwriting Workbook for Kids: Jokes and Riddles by Exl Cursive Handwriting Workbook Series
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This workbook combines learning cursive with fun jokes and riddles to keep children engaged while they practice their handwriting.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes the process of learning cursive writing enjoyable and less tedious, with humorous content that keeps kids entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are beginning to learn cursive writing and enjoy humor.

• The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
  • Genre(s): Children's Fiction, Inspirational
  • Synopsis: A story about a girl who thinks she can't draw, but her teacher encourages her to make a mark and see where it takes her.
  • Why we recommend this book: It inspires creativity and confidence in personal abilities, showing that everyone has the potential to create something beautiful.
  • Perfect for: Children who are hesitant to express themselves artistically and need a confidence boost.

• My First Book of Pencil Control by Wonder House Books
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This book provides exercises that help children improve their fine motor skills and pencil control, which are crucial for good handwriting.
  • Why we recommend this book: It helps develop the foundational skills needed for excellent handwriting in a fun and engaging way.
  • Perfect for: Young learners who are just starting to write and need to develop steadiness and control with a pencil.

• Adventures in Cartooning: How to Turn Your Doodles Into Comics by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold, and Alexis Frederick-Frost
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novels, Educational
  • Synopsis: This engaging book teaches kids how to create their own cartoons and comics, starting from simple doodles.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines artistic expression with storytelling, enhancing both creative thinking and writing skills.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring young cartoonists and storytellers, or any kid who loves drawing and wants to tell stories through art.

Educational Handwriting Books for 9-Year-Olds

• The Art of Cursive Penmanship: A Personal Handwriting Program for Adults by Michael R. Sull
  • Genre(s): Educational, Self-help
  • Synopsis: This comprehensive guide by master penman Michael R. Sull provides adults and older children with detailed instructions on improving cursive handwriting.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cursive handwriting skills, fine motor control, penmanship aesthetics
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a meticulous approach to mastering cursive writing with an emphasis on beauty and style, ideal for older children looking to refine their handwriting.
  • Perfect for: Older children and adults interested in enhancing their cursive handwriting skills.

• Write-On Wipe-Off Let's Write Cursive by Highlights Learning
  • Genre(s): Educational, Activity Book
  • Synopsis: This interactive book encourages kids to practice cursive writing with wipe-off pages that can be used repeatedly.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cursive writing, repetitive practice, hand-eye coordination
  • Why we recommend this book: Its reusable format makes it a practical tool for continuous learning and improvement in cursive handwriting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are learning cursive and benefit from repeated practice and immediate correction.

• Cursive Handwriting Practice Workbook for Kids by Julie Harper
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This workbook provides a series of practice exercises designed to help children master cursive handwriting.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cursive writing skills, consistency, and handwriting speed
  • Why we recommend this book: It systematically builds up from basic to more complex cursive writing tasks, ensuring a solid foundation and gradual improvement.
  • Perfect for: Children who are starting to learn cursive writing and need structured practice.

• Daily Handwriting Practice: Traditional Cursive by Jill Norris
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This daily practice book focuses on traditional cursive writing, providing exercises that incorporate a variety of content to keep students engaged.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Traditional cursive writing, muscle memory, and writing discipline
  • Why we recommend this book: It emphasizes daily practice, which is key to developing lasting handwriting skills, and uses interesting content to maintain engagement.
  • Perfect for: Students who need regular practice to improve their cursive handwriting skills.

Challenging Handwriting Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Mastering Handwriting at Any Level: Manuscript & Cursive Curriculum by Kathryn Libby
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This curriculum is designed to take students from basic manuscript writing to more advanced cursive handwriting, covering a broad range of skills.
  • Why this book is challenging: It progresses to advanced cursive techniques that require precision and control, which are typically challenging for younger students.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive approach to handwriting, allowing students to develop at their own pace while ensuring they master each level thoroughly.
  • Perfect for: Students who are ready to transition from simple writing to more intricate cursive styles.

• The Most Comprehensive Handwriting Workbook by Thomas Jefferson
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This workbook offers a variety of handwriting exercises designed to improve both manuscript and cursive writing skills in young learners.
  • Why this book is challenging: It includes complex cursive connections and advanced vocabulary that require higher cognitive and motor skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It challenges students beyond the basics, enhancing both their handwriting and academic vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young writers who need material that pushes their limits in both handwriting and language use.

• Cursive Success by Handwriting Without Tears & Jan Z. Olsen
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: This book is part of the "Handwriting Without Tears" series, designed to teach cursive handwriting in an organized, step-by-step approach.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces slanting and looping letters which are more complex and require greater motor skill control.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its structured method makes learning advanced cursive writing clear and manageable, building confidence along with skill.
  • Perfect for: Students who have mastered basic handwriting and are ready to tackle more sophisticated cursive writing techniques.

• Advanced Cursive Handwriting Practice Workbook for Teens by Julie Harper
  • Genre(s): Educational, Workbook
  • Synopsis: Tailored for teens, this workbook provides practice on cursive handwriting with a focus on more mature content, including literary quotes and scientific facts.
  • Why this book is challenging: The content includes longer, more complex writing passages that require sustained handwriting endurance and skill.
  • Why we recommend this book: It engages older children with content that is relevant and intellectually stimulating, while also improving their handwriting.
  • Perfect for: Teens looking to refine their cursive handwriting and apply it to more adult-like writing tasks.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to help your 9-year-old develop better handwriting skills, incorporating some structured exercises can make a big difference. Here are a few fun and effective exercises tailored specifically for this age group. These activities will not only improve their handwriting but also enhance their overall writing abilities.

• Copycat Game
  • What it is: Copy a paragraph from a favorite book.
  • How it helps: Improves handwriting through mimicking good writing styles.
  • Tips: Choose different genres to keep the exercise interesting and challenging.

• Alphabet Soup
  • What it is: Write each letter of the alphabet in both uppercase and lowercase.
  • How it helps: Reinforces the basic forms of each letter.
  • Tips: Focus on maintaining consistent size and spacing between letters.

• Story Time
  • What it is: Write a short story using a prompt.
  • How it helps: Encourages creative thinking and practice in handwriting.
  • Tips: Use a timer to make this a fun and fast-paced challenge.

• Postcard Pen Pals
  • What it is: Write a postcard to a friend or family member.
  • How it helps: Practices writing in a small space and keeps handwriting legible.
  • Tips: Collect various postcards from different places to make this exercise exciting.

• Journal Journey
  • What it is: Keep a daily journal.
  • How it helps: Develops a habit of writing and improves consistency in handwriting.
  • Tips: Encourage writing about daily activities, dreams, or even make-believe stories.

These exercises are designed to be both educational and enjoyable. By integrating these activities into your child's routine, you'll not only boost their handwriting skills but also foster a love for writing. Remember, consistency is key, so encourage regular practice. Happy writing!