Crayon Compass PressReading levels guide: which phonics book first?
Our Pencil Rangers Learn to Read books follow one systematic phonics order, so each book only uses sounds your child has already met.
| Level | Your child is ready if they… | What it practices | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Ages 4-6 | know some letter sounds and are starting to blend | Short vowels, consonants, ck, qu, ch, sh, th, ng, double letters; tricky words a, the, is, to | The Kindergarten Reader (25 very short stories; starts with just 6 sounds) Tap! Tap! Tap! Phonics Workbook (teaches the sounds) Tap! Tap! Tap! Storybook (a longer story to read alone) |
| Level 2 Ages 4-7 | can read short words like cat, ship and duck | Blends like fl, st, gr and nd, -ing and nk words, two-part words like sunset; tricky words I, you, are, said, no | Flap! Flap! Flap! Storybook |
| Level 3 Ages 5-7 | can read words with blends like flap, stop and jump | Long vowels: silent e (slide, nose), oa/ow, ee/ea, ai/ay, igh and y as in sky, plus wh; tricky words so, come, they | Whee! Whee! Whee! Storybook |
What is a decodable book?
A decodable book only uses words a child can sound out with the letter sounds they have learned, plus a few taught "tricky" words. That means a beginning reader can succeed on their own instead of guessing from pictures. Each of our storybooks lists its new words at the back.
How to use the storybooks
- A grown-up reads the short chapter intro aloud.
- Your child reads the story pages alone. Help by saying each sound, then sliding them together.
- Talk about the story with the questions at the end. About 10 minutes a day is plenty.
Start with the workbook if your child is still learning letter sounds. If they know a few sounds and are just starting to blend, start with The Kindergarten Reader. Start with a storybook if they can already blend simple words.