For early literacy, the best picture books are decodable books. These are designed to match the phonics patterns children are learning, helping them sound out words more easily. By focusing on specific sounds and letters, decodable books give young readers the practice they need to improve their skills and confidence.
What are decodable books, and why are they important?
A decodable book is a book made for young readers to practice phonics patterns they have learned. An example of a phonics pattern is the silent “e.” In words like make, bake, dome, mule, bike, the “e” at the end makes the first vowel say its long sound.
Readers can become more fluent by learning these phonics patterns and then practicing with decodable books that use those patterns.
Where can you find decodable books?
There are quite a few websites that offer free collections of decodable books. Here are some great resources:
- Flyleaf Publishing offers 89 free online decodable books in 14 different collections. The first collection is based on simple phonics patterns like CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. Each book outlines the targeted letter sounds, high frequency words and decodable words in each book. Each collection increases in complexity, and amount of high frequency words. Below are two examples; the first image is from the first collection, while the second is the second collection.
- Half Pint Kids provides 18 sets of decodable books, each with 6 books for a total of 108. They are divided into 3 different levels. Level A introduces consonant sounds, short vowels, and 33 sight words. Level B covers blends, digraphs, 24 sight words, and word endings, while Level C focuses on long vowels, 9 blends, 46 sight words, and additional word endings. Below is an example of Level A, “Forest Run,” and what words it includes.
- Reading for All Learners has 8 sets of free decodable books, with each set containing between 10 to 27 books, for a total of 141 books. The first set helps children develop phonemic awareness by focusing on different consonant and vowel sounds. You can also adapt these books to different phonics patterns, like CVC.
At Brightly Reading, we also offer free online decodable books. Our first collection focuses on vowel sounds, both long and short, with each book clearly explaining the phonics patterns for the featured vowel. Our upcoming collection will focus on blends—stay tuned!
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