20 Best Books For Teaching Reading (2023 Update)

I started this book with my 4.5 year old in November. Letter names and sounds were mostly recognized. However, with preschool closed since March, he had stalled there. His love of books had not translated to reading skills. This book breaks each lesson into small, repeating tasks. Reading letters, reading sounds, reading words, reading sentences, and eventually, reading stories. No fun games. No color pictures. It could be difficult to get an easily distracted preschooler incentivized to complete these "100 easy lessons" in anything resembling 20 minutes. But slowly, he started to get it. He still complained, but began to take an interest in the stories. He started to recognize sounds in the word readings. Then he began to tear through the word reading, and only struggle through the now progressively longer stories. Then, even the stories became manageable. He would still struggle on certain words, but others he began to memorize. Others he'd learned to sound out. There were patterns in what he struggled with, but he had our individual attention to help him. His writing skills improved so much, even his drawing ability improved. As we reached the end of the book, he was reading multiple paragraphs. The once tedious 'reading class' with a grumpy toddler was now 20 minutes of reading and questions. It requires perseverance, but you *can* teach your child to read. With the book complete, he's now onto reading usborne easy readers. He reads picture books like "bad dog" (by M. Bolt) and 'frog on a log" (by Kes Grey) and laughs. He enthusiastically chooses from library books, just like before, but doesn't scoff when asked to read them, rather than be read to. And he can now, thanks to this book.Sarah

I have an early reader, getting stuck on phonetic exceptions and I was hoping this would help (at least help me to guide them). This is a systematic guide using early childhood principles of repetition, and repetition doesn't work for many neurodiverse learners, and no gifted learners. It'd be great for tiger parents wanting their kids with zero phonemic awareness to start school ahead of the pack, or kids with special learning needs who need to take a step back with lots of simple repetition. I fell asleep on the first page, and if my child had seen it they would have looked at me like I had 2 heads and wouldn't have finish half of the first lesson.Jim the walker

Does exactly what it says it does. I was struggling to teach my daughter how to read – even though she is a bright and eager learner – for all the reasons explained in the book's preface. We're less than 20 lessons into the book and my 4 year old is already reading words on her own! I couldn't have taught her without this book's guidance. It's easy to follow, but parents: you HAVE TO read the preface and do exactly what it says to do, in the way it says to do it. Just follow what they author instructs and everything falls into place. I will definitely be keeping this to help my son learn to read when he's old enough.shortie536

I am a Reading Specialist and I recommend this book to teach a child how to read. It's well written with simple reading steps and strategies. I bought this book for homeschooling my neices and they love it too!!DANIELLE

I love this book. I used it with my oldest and I’m now using it with my middle child (4) and she’s taking off with it. Starting to blend sounds to form words. I use this book and teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons book. My daughter asks to do this book every morning. She thinks it’s fun.Ktlyn

My 6 year old grandson, could not read. He is in Grade 1 at his school and way behind in reading. But not any more! I bought the book and he at first didn't want to do it, but we persevered, as did his mother. He was impressed by his ability to sound out words! And to be able to read them afterwards. He is now hooked and can't wait to finish! His teacher has commented at his reading improvement. His teacher does not agree with phonetically sounding out words to learn to read! This book has proved her incorrect!Dee

I had no clue how to teach my 5-year-old kindergarten daughter to read. This book was my guide. We are half-way through and she is reading! Some words are recognized and others she still has to sound out. DD does not love 'reading lesson time' so we only do 2 pages (1-sided) per day and move slowly. It's nice to learn on the couch and take a break from writing! DD enjoys coloring the pictures. I supplemented this book with Explode the Code Books 1 and 2 and have been very pleased with progress. I would recommend this book.Kristina

This is utterly brilliant – can't recommend highly enough. My eldest son is 7, has been reluctant to read, and has learnt reading in Welsh (which is very phonetic) not English at school so far so struggles with the confusing spelling rules of English. We are half way through this book in two weeks, he is really enthusiastic about it, and his confidence has soared. It builds sounds and letters up step by step into simple sentences, and by the end simple stories. It has been amazing to watch his progress.Fantastic buy.jennyg133

Developing inquire skills is not an educational mission we need to work hard to sell. [All schools] want their students to acquire the skills that will equip them to become independent learners, able to seek answers to their own questions. So says Columbia Universitys Teachers College Professor, Deanna Kuhn, in her book, Education For Thinking (Harvard University Press, 2005, p. 39.) The beauty of this idea is not missed on David Harrison, the well-known childrens writer whose writing spans topics from cave exploration to nest-building, from mountains to mammoth bones. The amount of research he has had to do for his, now, 100 published books is staggering. But how does he do it? What skills has he had to develop? Good questions! Together, with the literacy specialist, Mary Jo Fresh, the two have written a book that teachers will treasure. 7 Keys to Research for Writing Success (Scholastic, 2018) gives advice, from the inside out, fortunately answering our questions: How does David think about choosing a topic? How does he pose questions? How does he do pre-research (new idea, yes?), figure out key, and central, ideas and words, conduct in-depth research, take effective notes, and organize what hes discovered? What a gift! Heres just a small excerpt of David taking to kidsabout his preresearch for Now You see Them, Now You Dont (Charlesbridge, 2016). Now You See Them, Now You Dont (2016) is a book of poems I write about animals that use their natural camouflage to hunt for food or hide from those that want to eat them. During my preresearch I paid special attention to finding all the creatures that had those qualities so I would have plenty to choose from when it came time to start writing. As a long time 3rd grade teacher I can tell you, first hand, that this is the sort of work that changes everything. Suddenly writing a research piece isnt scaryat all. Its just plain fun. I think part of the magic is related to what David and Mary Jo suggest toward the end of their book, Research Notes Speak Many Languages. The students learn that perhaps their work might take the shape of an information book? Perhaps a story? Perhaps a poem? Perhaps an ABC book? Perhaps a blog post? Wow. As I think about all the skills that David and Mary Jo help students develop through their 7 Keys text, Im reminded of the seminal work of Marie Ponsot and Rosemary Deen, who came to define five elemental writing skills that worked to change my own classroom into a dynamic learning space. Like David, my students worked from the inside out as they practiced the Ponsot/Deen skillswriting a whole lot (prolific writing), writing from the sense of a whole structure, making observations about writing, writing both concretely and abstractly, and rewriting (not as remedial practice but for discovery). I see that the steps David and Mary Jo suggest are flooded with these elemental skills, skills that turn children into fine writers, readers, thinkers, and explorers. What a treat of a book! And, while I wish David and Mary Jo great success, the real winners will be the children who have the chance to use what their teachers learn, and then offer them.lowleadbooks

Written by experts in the field. In depth discussion on comprehension and the difficulties some children have understanding text.rassch_a6uchhs

I'm using this book for my 8 year old son. He has phonological processing disorder and with the school closures I'm not happy with the public education. The book is phenomenal and there is also programs you can plug in like Bob books. I use this book twice a week for 1 hour each time. In a short time my son was able to read the passages with ease. He still struggles and we will be in chapter 5 lessons for a while but the program is helpful.kimsole

I bought this book to work on reading skills with my son who is 4 years old. He really enjoys working with me and has a lot of fun. I like the detailed instructions and my son views the exercises as games which hold his attention. In just a short time, I can see a big difference in his skills which I know will assist him in school. I definitely recommend this book.beachbum1994

Having been trained in Phono-Graphix I can only praise this book for the clear and parent friendly approach to teaching the use of sounds, blending and segmenting which are the basics for teaching a child to read. This method fits in with most of the best phonics programmes now being used in the UK and is unlikely to be in conflict with any approach used in primary schools. Recommended.ariddleintime

This set is the natural progression from the Bob Books Set 1, and a great one at that. My son loves that he can read a "whole book" (each set comes with 12 small books inside). And we both enjoy discussing the questions/topics from the back cover of each book – his answers let me know that he was not only reading the words on the page but comprehending what the characters have accomplished within the realm of each book. I have never seen my son beam with such pride over an accomplishment before – saying "The End" at the end of each book elicits a broad smile and an assured look. Mostly, I love that each book builds from the last with similar, but different, sounds and a few new "site" words that must be memorized for each – so he uses a combination of phonics (sounding the words out) and just plain word memory (for words like "the" and "was" that don't sound like they are spelled). These books have been the best investment yet. Great value for all that you get.TwiBecca

You don't buy these for the stories. They are deliberately limited,, the reason being that the purpose is to introduce the letters and sounds slowly a few at a time. These are books for people who want to teach reading in a developmental way. So they were perfect for us.Ken

I was glad to be able to purchase this book. It is chock-full of valuable information and guidance. I will put it to good use.risnor

As the teacher of learning disabled children, I first read and used this book almost 30 years ago. I found it organized, sequential, practical–but most of all, effective. Most teachers are trained to follow reading programs for average children, but this little book breaks phonics down into the basic components, adds examples, and offers methods for teaching children to read. It makes a great primary source that is easily linked to linguistic and other basal readers as well as to Dolch and Fry lists of sight words. The neatest thing is that its progression can span several grade levels. It could easily be called the Bible of phonics instruction.albooklover

This is a good resource for reading teachers and tutors. For example: when teaching eigh (long a), this manual provides words containing the eigh spelling and sentences for reading which contain eigh words. This is a handy, quick source for users.sas0516

My son has the A, B and C books also and they are great. I think the D ones are the best. I guess the content is expanding and more interesting. He loves reading them, and because they're only 8 pages he doesn't get bored!kellienorth

My granddaughter is 5 years old. She has attended preschool with kindergarten coming in the fall. She loves her reading books. She can sound out the words. I highly recommend this set of books.DARIA

Excellent book. Very helpful for teachers and parents wanting to know how to help kids learn to be better readers. Loved it, and would highly recommend to anyone!566amber

This book is a must for any teacher of reading. It has great researched insights into reading instruction practices as well as ideas for optimizing student progress.cheekychappieschickie

I thought this book was out of print and that I would only find a well worn copy. The book arrived and it was brand new. What a great surprise!klthieme

This book is in like-new condition- very nice! A tutoring friend of mine refers to this book as the "bible" for teaching phonemic awareness!jaoll-44

I purchased this as a required text for an elementary education course. It is easy to read as far as textbooks are concerned. There are lots of examples and links as resources in the book which are very informative and helpful. I will most likely hold onto this book for my educational library as a reference.shel_nature

Havent read much of it honestly it was required for class. What I have read seems like a decent textbook. Some good ideas.ssmallchange

I purchased this as a required text for an elementary education course. It is easy to read as far as textbooks are concerned. There are lots of examples and links as resources in the book which are very informative and helpful. I will most likely hold onto this book for my educational library as a reference.shel_nature

Havent read much of it honestly it was required for class. What I have read seems like a decent textbook. Some good ideas.ssmallchange

The book was fantastic! I read every page and will never get rid of it! A great investment, and I am so excited to have it on my bookshelf! I have gotten many lesson plan ideas from the book, and it has really impacted the way i teach now! Overall an Excellent book!jsim6917