H.W. Shaylor and G.H. Shattuck wrote the "Medial Writing Books" that were designed with smaller dimensions than other similar books, for pupil use in the lower grades.

The books have letters and words at the top of the pages, with blank lines below, for practicing penmanship.

Shaylor, a native of Ohio, moved to Portland in 1861 and began developing his system of penmanship and teaching penmanship.