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The first books your child reads on their own matter a lot. Get them right and every page is a small success. Get them wrong, with words full of sounds your child hasn’t learned, and reading turns into guessing and frustration. This guide explains what to look for, lists book series worth knowing about, and suggests read-alouds to share alongside them.
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Two kinds of books, two jobs
Children need two different kinds of books while they’re learning to read:
- Books they read to you. These should be decodable: made almost entirely of words your child can sound out with the phonics they know.
- Books you read to them. These can be anything at all: picture books, longer stories, poetry, nonfiction. They build vocabulary, knowledge and a love of stories.
Problems start when a child is asked to read books meant for the second job. Many popular “early readers” use lots of words that can’t be decoded at a beginner level, which pushes children to guess from pictures.
What makes a book decodable?
A decodable book is written to match a phonics sequence. Early books use only a few letter sounds, such as s, a, t, p, i, n, plus a handful of tricky words like the and a. Later books add more sounds, then digraphs like sh and ee.
Look for:
- A list of sounds on the cover or inside, showing which sounds the book uses.
- Short, regular words in the first books, mostly from a CVC words list.
- A clear series order, so each book builds on the last.
- Pictures that support but don’t give away the words, so your child has to read.
Decodable books can feel a little stilted to adults. That’s the trade-off for a child being able to read every word. Pair them with rich read-alouds, and the stilted part doesn’t matter.
Decodable series worth looking for
Bob Books
Best for: absolute beginners, around ages 4 to 6.
Small, simple books with very short sentences and basic illustrations, organized in sets that build gradually. The first sets use only a few letter sounds and three-letter words. Many families start here because the first books are so manageable.
Not ideal for: children who want rich stories or detailed pictures; save those for read-aloud time.
Dog on a Log books
Best for: families who want a long, carefully sequenced series, from the very first sounds onward.
A large series of decodable chapter books and early readers organized in steps that follow a phonics sequence. The publisher also offers free resources for parents and teachers, including guidance on which sounds each step covers.
Not ideal for: families who want very short books for the very first days of reading.
Usborne Phonics Readers
Best for: children who like funny stories with bright illustrations.
Short, rhyming stories built around particular sounds, with colorful pictures. They work well for children who have learned several letter sounds and want something that feels like a “real” book.
Not ideal for: children at the very start, since some titles use a wider range of sounds and words.
Junior Learning decodable readers
Best for: families and teachers who want boxed sets organized by phonics level.
Boxed sets of decodable readers organized by phonics level, often used in classrooms as well as at home. Sets typically show which sounds each book focuses on.
Not ideal for: families who prefer buying a book or two at a time.
Read-aloud favorites for new readers
These aren’t decodable for beginners, and that’s fine: they’re for you to read to your child, or to share once your child is further along.
- Rhyming books. Books with strong rhyme and rhythm help children hear sounds in words. Dr. Seuss classics like Hop on Pop and Green Eggs and Ham are fun to share and let your child join in.
- Repeated-phrase books. Books where a line comes back again and again, so your child can “read” it with you. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle is a classic.
- Funny early readers to share. Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie books are hugely popular with young children. Read them together and let your child read the words they can decode.
- Alphabet books. Any good alphabet book with clear lowercase letters and lots of pictures to name.
How to read a decodable book with your child
- Look at the cover together. Read the title, pointing to each word.
- Check the tricky words first. If the book lists tricky words, practice them before you start.
- Let your child read. Point under each word if it helps. Wait while they sound out.
- Help with the sound, not the word. If they’re stuck, point to the letter and ask “What sound?” rather than saying the word.
- Reread. Read the same book two or three times over a few days. It builds speed and confidence.
- Talk about it. “What happened to the dog? Was that funny?” Understanding matters too.
Our guide on how to teach blending helps if your child gets stuck on sounding out.
Try this tonight
The two-book bedtime
- Choose one decodable book your child can read and one picture book you’ll read to them.
- Your child reads the decodable book to you first, while they’re fresh. Point and wait.
- Celebrate: “You read a whole book!”
- Then snuggle in while you read the picture book aloud, doing all the voices.
Your child practices reading, then gets the reward of a great story.
Where to find books cheaply
- The library. Many libraries have decodable series in their early-reader section, and librarians can help you find them.
- Secondhand. Decodable sets hold up well and are often sold on by families whose children have moved on.
- Your child’s school. Ask what reading scheme they use, and whether you can borrow books from it.
- Printables. Simple homemade books from folded paper work well for the very first words.
For a daily rhythm that combines reading to and reading with your child, see our reading routine for preschoolers.
Free: reading log
Track each book your child reads with a sticker and the title. A filled-in chart is a proud moment for a new reader.
Frequently asked questions
What are decodable books?
Decodable books are written so that almost every word can be sounded out using the phonics a child has learned so far, plus a few common tricky words.
When should my child start reading decodable books?
As soon as they can blend simple three-letter words using a handful of letter sounds, they’re ready for the first decodable books.
Are Dr. Seuss books good for beginning readers?
They’re excellent for reading aloud and hearing rhyme. Many aren’t fully decodable for beginners, so use decodable books for your child’s own reading practice.
How many times should my child read the same book?
Rereading a book two or three times is very useful: it builds fluency and confidence. Children often enjoy it more than you’d expect.