Early Readers: Books to Encourage Beginners
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Learning how to read can be challenging for beginners. There are some big concepts to understand and it takes time and practice to reach the stage of independent reading. One of the easiest things you can do to support your child in learning to read is to provide them with a book that not only meets their developmental needs but is entertaining and sparks their passion for a good story.
Pairing your kid’s reading ability with books they can understand and read successfully is an effective way to support progress and reduce frustration. If your kid is reading books at or slightly above their reading level then they will find the process more enjoyable and worthwhile.
Below we’ve listed our top picks for emerging readers.
If you want to know more about how to support your child build their reading skills take a look at our blog posts:
Beginner Readers - What to look for in a book
When searching for books, you’ll find different terms that all mean the same thing be it ‘emerging reader’ or ‘easy reader’ or ‘beginner reader.’ No matter what the term used there are certain things to look for when selecting a book for your child. All children’s books should aim to:
engage children emotionally to create a connection
invite involvement to ensure they are focused and embedding concepts
provide opportunities for interaction by parents or carers to increase their kid’s understanding of the book
include interesting illustrations or photographs that are aesthetically appealing
To facilitate your emerging reader’s literary experience consider the following:
select a book that is appropriate for the age and language skills of your child
what aspects of literacy can be highlighted and supported within the book reading experience such as making meaning or phonological awareness
how the characters, events, and messages within the story will interest and engage your child
Just because a book is simple to read doesn’t mean it is a quality book. A good story keeps your child‘s attention. It’s fun, maybe a little silly but it’s a book they want to return to time and again. And that’s important because each time your kid reads a book they are practising their skills, embedding the concepts of literacy, improving their fluency and hopefully learning that books are enjoyable.
Typical features of beginner reading books include:
Short sentences
Larger font
Simple words
Pictures providing clues to the simple words
Low word count
May include basic sight words
To help the reader decode words you might see:
Word repetition in sentence structure
Rhyme
Word families
Decodable books
Very new beginner readers need to start by reading decodable books. Decoding means working out the letter sounds and pushing them together (blending them together) to say the word. This allows your child to practice reading, not to memorize or guess the words. They are sequential in nature and build phonic knowledge gradually.
After students show strong decoding skills, they are ready to read levelled books which increase in complexity as the level increases. Do note that each publisher has their own system of levelling. Publisher A may include words that are simpler or more challenging than Publisher B. Levelled books are important and have their place but don’t limit your kid to levelled books. Provide access to a variety of books to give them broad exposure to different themes, characters, and topics.
Our favorite books for beginner readers
Some of the books listed have been around for a long time and they are classics for a reason. Some are more recent releases already gathering enthusiastic readers. Some are part of a series that may capture your young reader’s imagination and are worth exploring further.
Brand New Readers - Decodable books
The first few on this list are prelevel decodable books that belong to a series.
1. Bob Books by Bobby Lynn Masden
This book series has been around for decades but each book contains two- and three-letter words making them easy to sound out. With the focus on CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant) the series emphasises the phonetic rules. The stories are very simple but will still keep kids interested and turning the page.
2. Charge Into Reading by Brooke Vitale
This series will build your child’s confidence to decode words starting with 2- and 3-letter words with short vowel sounds they can easily sound out. Simple sentences are supported by colorful illustrations providing interest and context. As each series builds on the previous books you’ll have a handy set of reading materials that will grow with your child as they develop their reading skills.
3. Laugh-a-Lot-Phonics by Liza Charlesworth
A set of 12 books that feature short vowel words and simple blends. The illustrations are cute and the stories are fun and easily decodable.
Emerging Readers - Pre-level 1 and level 1
The next books on our list are suitable for those who are:
mastering sight words
beginning to decode unknown words by breaking them up into smaller components
self-correcting if a word doesn’t make sense
4. Big Cat by Ethan Long
This is a simple story about Big Cat who wants to nap but his family have other ideas. A rumbunctious pair of siblings wake up Big Cat to play and carry him around the house, even if all he wants to do is sleep. Kids will love the exaggerated expressions on Big Cat’s face. This is a predictable book for the earliest of readers with five words or less on a page and only one sentence per page.
5. Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman.
This book is a classic. It’s a whimsical, light-hearted adventure that features colorful illustrations of dogs in all shapes, sizes, and colours doing all sorts of things as they use a variety of vehicles to get to a party at the top of tree. Using only 75 simple words it’s an easy-to-read rhyming story.
6. An Elephant & Piggie Book: There is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Williams
This book is part of a beautiful, funny series that aims to teach young children that friendship, while not always easy, is important. The books feature two friends, an often worried elephant, Gerald, and the vivacious Piggie. Gerald and Piggie deal with life’s problems in a frenzied but truly funny way. The books link cartoons to conversational speech bubbles featuring simple words and repetitive phrases that make it easy for the young reader to manage.
We have provided a link to just one book but there are 25 titles in all.
7. Drop it, Rocket! by Tad Hills
Part of the ‘Rocket and Friends’ series that follows young Rocket and little yellow bird as they try to find new words for their word tree. There is just one little problem, instead of looking for words, Rocket keeps picking up other items: a star, a leaf and ….. a big red boot that he wants to keep forever. The words Rocket is searching for appear in the text and are spelled out in the illustrations. This gives beginning readers an opportunity to match both the word and the object enhancing comprehension.
8. Big Egg by Molly Coxe
This is a firm favorite of young kids. When Hen wakes up and finds a big egg nestled among her own four eggs in her nest, she wonders whose egg it could be. When the big egg hatches what comes out does not look like it belongs to Hen. Hen embarks on a quest to find out which animal the big chick belongs to. Be careful, wily fox has plans!
Simple words with an emphasis on CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant) help children decode what they are reading. The illustrations support the text and there is plenty of repetition to build fluency.
9. Hot Dog by Molly Coxe
Another gorgeous book by Molly Coxe. In this story, Dog is so very hot but no one will share the things they have that may cool him down. Mom will not share her lemonade and Skunk will not share his hollow log. Will Dog ever feel cool again? This book has lots of rhyme, rhythm, and repetition. The illustrations of one poor hot Dog support context and decoding.
10. Silly Milly by Wendy Cheyette Lewison
Kooky illustrations by Nadine Bernard Westcott will draw your child in and help make this book a delight! Challenge your emerging reader to put their problem-solving skills to the test as they try to solve the puzzle of why Milly likes the things she does. This rhyming level 1 reader is a good fun riddle that will have your kid thinking why Milly likes green but not red, butter but not bread!
11. Shh! We have a plan by Chris Haughton
When four friends spy a beautiful bird perched high in a tree they decide they must have it! Hijinks ensue when their plans are foiled and it becomes clear that this goofy gang cannot catch the bird. A story that is just plain fun also incorporates a message about kindness. Simple words and engaging illustrations make it easy for the beginner reader to gain context and practice decoding.
12. Fox on a box by Russell Punter
With the focus on phonics, this simple but engaging story will enable your child to develop their decoding skills. When Fox discovers a box he thinks he can reach tasty treats, but each time his plans go awry. The illustrations are delightful and provide plenty of clues to the simple words.
13. Frog on a Log by Lesley Sims
One cute little frog lives in a bog but one day, he discovers someone lost in the fog! This book crafts a story around the phonics rules by using simple rhyming text. The colorful illustrations make it all the more engaging. As a bonus it comes with parent's notes on phonics at the back.
14. See the Dog: Three Stories About a Cat by David LaRochelle
The dog is sick but never fear, the cat is here to save the day! A ridiculously cute idea, this book has three short stories using simple words and repetitive phrases. The humor of this books keeps kids engaged.
The Final Word on encouraging beginner readers
Select quality books that invite your child into the story. A book that keeps them interested and wanting to engage will help them persist in decoding words so they can build their confidence. As they continue to progress, keep providing access to a wide variety of books to develop their vocabulary and build their literacy foundations. Try to remember that growing those reading skills is a mighty challenge that can be very tiring. Give them breaks, give them encouragement and keep them engaged with reading.