Choosing the right Morrells handwriting book can feel confusing at first, especially when the range includes different workbooks, exercise books, and teacher resources. This guide gives a quick overview of what each type of Morrells book is designed to do, so it is easier to match the right resource to the needs of your pupils.
Key points
- The Morrells range includes letter formation books, joining letters books, exercise books, teacher support materials, and classroom tools.
- The right book depends more on handwriting stage than age alone.
- Letter Formation books are best for pupils still securing correct letter shape and direction.
- Joining Letters books are for pupils who are ready to learn fluent joins.
- Exercise books are useful when pupils need help carrying neat handwriting into everyday classwork.
What is included in the Morrells range?
Morrells Handwriting includes:
- Letter Formation workbooks
- Joining Letters workbooks
- handwriting exercise books
- a Teacher’s Book
- classroom tools such as charts and flipchart pads
- printable packs and mixed packs
That makes it easier for schools to build a more joined-up approach instead of relying on one book to do everything.
Letter Formation books
The Letter Formation workbooks are the best starting point for pupils who are still learning how letters should be formed.
Morrells says these books teach all letters in structured handwriting families and give repeated practice with alphabet work, words, and sentences. They are a strong fit when pupils still need help with:
- correct letter direction
- consistent shape
- orientation
- early handwriting confidence
These are usually the right choice before a child moves into joined handwriting.
Joining Letters books
The Joining Letters books are for pupils who are ready to move on from print and begin learning joins in a more structured way.
Morrells describes this series as step-by-step cursive practice, with joins grouped by similar movement. The range also uses its “Bounce Technique” to help writers practise correct joining movements from the start.
These books are usually the better fit when pupils:
- already form letters correctly
- have enough pencil control for fluent movement
- are ready to build joined-up handwriting without rushing
Exercise books
The handwriting exercise books are useful when pupils can write neatly in a handwriting session but struggle to keep that standard in ordinary written work.
Morrells says these A4 books were designed to help children transfer neat handwriting into other subjects. Their shaded lines help writers judge letter height and position ascenders and descenders more clearly.
This part of the range is especially useful when the main goal is:
- better presentation in classwork
- more consistent size and spacing
- support moving towards normal lined paper
Morrells also offers different exercise book formats, including wide lined, narrow lined, and split-page options, so schools can match the format to the writer’s stage.
Teacher support materials
The Morrells Teacher’s Book is useful when schools want a more consistent way to teach handwriting across classes or year groups.
Morrells describes it as a photocopiable book with extension exercises in letter formation and cursive handwriting. It is designed to support whole-school teaching and can help staff use the workbooks more consistently.
This is often the right add-on when:
- multiple adults are teaching handwriting
- the school wants a clearer shared approach
- teachers want extra practice material beyond pupil books
So which Morrells book should you choose?
A simple buying guide looks like this:
Choose Letter Formation books if:
- pupils still form letters incorrectly
- direction and shape are not secure
- the basics need more repetition
Choose Joining Letters books if:
- letter formation is secure
- pupils are ready to learn joins
- the next goal is fluent cursive writing
Choose Exercise books if:
- handwriting looks neat in practice but not in classwork
- pupils need help with size, spacing, and line placement
- you want a bridge into everyday writing
Choose the Teacher’s Book if:
- staff need more teaching support
- you want a more consistent whole-school approach
- you need extra photocopiable handwriting practice
Final thought
The Morrells range works best when each book is used for the stage it is designed for. Instead of asking which book is right for a certain age, it is usually more useful to ask what the pupil still needs help with.
That makes the shopping decision much clearer and helps schools choose resources that actually move handwriting forward.
Sources
- Morrells homepage: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/
- Morrells Letter Formation workbooks: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/category/letter-formation/
- Morrells Joining Letters workbooks: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/category/joining-letters/
- Morrells Handwriting Teacher’s Book: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/product/morrells-teachers-book/
- Morrells blog, Which handwriting book do I require for my 7 year old?: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/blog/which-handwriting-book-do-i-require-for-my-7-year-old/
- Morrells blog, Morrells Launch New Range of Handwriting Exercise Books: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/blog/morrells-launch-handwriting-exercise-books/
- Morrells blog, Why shaded lines matter in handwriting development: https://morrellshandwriting.co.uk/blog/why-shaded-lines-matter-in-handwriting-development/
