How Phonic Books Help Children Develop a Strong Reading Foundation

By Kaitlyn Spotts | May 30 2023 | Early ConceptsEducation & Professional LearningEnglish Language ArtsGeneral

Phonic Books is changing the way educators teach reading, one sound at a time. Developed by literacy experts and aligned to the Science of Reading, Phonic Books’ high-interest decodable book series can be effectively integrated into any phonics instruction program. Phonic Books offers a wide range of decodable books, making reading exciting for kids of all ages and interests. With multiple series that build and expand on learned letter-sound knowledge, Phonic Books paves a structured scaffold to more complex texts and unlocks the joy of reading independently.

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A Brief Overview of Phonics 

To become a reader, learners first need to acquire the skills of putting together individual sounds to make a word. This process is called “blending.” Sounding out the graphemes (spellings) and “blending” the sounds into words is called “decoding.”

Through highly structured and engaging texts, Phonic Books introduces only a few sounds and letters at a time. Readers practice each letter-sound correspondence until they learn how to reliably “decode” entire words. With book series that follow a steady, cumulative progression, Phonic Books supports students in advancing naturally, whether they are just starting out or need further assistance in learning how to read.

 

The Books

Dandelion Launchers and Readers offer beginner readers ages 3–8 a gentle, gradual approach to the alphabet and vowel teams.

Dandelion Launchers

  • Suitable for younger readers ages 3–5
  • Decodable books at the CVC word level
  • 1 line of text per page
  • Stages 1–7 introduce sounds of the alphabet
  • Stages 8–15 introduce adjacent consonants and consonant digraphs
  • Stages 16–20 introduce two-syllable word suffixes
  • Include games to support learning

 

Dandelion Readers

  • Suitable for beginner readers ages 4–8
  • Introduce vowel digraphs and VCe spellings
  • More text per page than Dandelion Launchers

 

Catch-Up Readers support older readers ages 8–14+ who need to bridge gaps in phonics skills through exciting, action-packed adventures.

Catch-Up Readers

  • Multiple series target different reading levels and experiences
  • Age-appropriate illustrations and storylines engage older readers
  • Supporting students at various reading levels, from the alphabet at the CVC level to complex vowel and consonant sounds
  • Introductory-reader-friendly layout

 

Phonic Books workbooks accompany the Dandelion and Catch-Up series to further develop reading fluency, comprehension, spelling, writing, and vocabulary. Paired with the book series, workbooks support phonics programs by providing teaching and practice activities. Permissions allow for photocopies of all workbook pages.

Whether a child is just starting out on their reading journey or needs a boost to reach the next level, Phonic Books are an invaluable educational resource. Phonic Books book series are designed to help kids build confidence in their foundational language skills, as well as develop a love for reading. Browse the full range of books, and keep an eye out for more coming soon!

Explore Phonic Books

Decodable Books for Beginner Readers Sounds of the Alphabet
9781783692835
Learn how to read with Dandelion Launchers decodable books for beginner readers.Dandelion Launchers Stages 1-7 are first reader books by Phonic Books which introduce children to a few letters and sounds at a time. This pack of 14 books is perfect for children in Pre-K and Kindergarten who are learning to read, teaching different letter patterns through a series of stories. Two books for every stage provide phonics practice while offering different stories and encouraging independent reading from the start of their journey. Each stage introduces new letters and sounds while supporting any previously taught phonic letters or sounds and high-frequency words or sight words. For example: Books 1a: Sam, Tam, Tim (Stage 1: s, a, t, i, m)Book 1b: Is it Sam? (Stage 1: s, a, t, i, m)Book 2a: Pam (Stage 2: n, o, p)Book 2b: The Pot (Stage 2: n, o, p) This beginner reader series features: - New letters and sounds introduced through each unit (1-7) by sounding them out (sat, s - a - t).- Reading material aimed at children aged 4-6.- CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant). Three letters producing distinct sounds when blended that are simple to sound out. An example of this is sun, s-u-n.This pack of 14 decodable books containing 12 pages features: - ‘How to Use This Book’ guidance page with ‘This book introduces’ text box, including information about the new sounds introduced, sounds learned from previous books, high-frequency words and important notes on the sound.- Story pages (numbers 1-6) with one line of text per page. - Game Instructions. - Photocopyable game page to reinforce the sounds and letters learned throughout the book.What is phonics?Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by understanding the sounds that individual letters make and blending them to make a word. Children can learn to read using this skill to decode new words. Phonic Books specializes in decodable, systematic books supporting this structured literacy instruction.
$45.00 US
Oct 20, 2016
Boxed Set
168 Pages
Phonic Books

Photocopiable Activities Accompanying Dandelion Launchers Stages 1-7 (Alphabet Code)
9781783693153
Learn how to read with Dandelion Launchers decodable books for beginner readers.Dandelion Launchers Reading and Writing Activities for Stages 1-7 are first reader books by Phonic Books which introduce children to a few letters and sounds at a time. This activity book accompanies Dandelion Launchers Extras Stages 1-7 and is perfect for children in Pre-K and Kindergarten who are learning to read, teaching different letter patterns through a series of activities. Two books for every stage provide phonics practice while offering different stories and encouraging independent reading from the start of their journey. Each stage introduces new letters and sounds while supporting any previously taught phonic letters or sounds and high-frequency words or sight words. For example: Books 1a: Sam, Tam, Tim (Stage 1: s, a, t, i, m)Book 1b: Is it Sam? (Stage 1: s, a, t, i, m)Book 2a: Pam (Stage 2: n, o, p)Book 2b: The Pot (Stage 2: n, o, p) This beginner reader series features: - Activities to practice previously taught spellings in Dandelion Launchers Extras Stages 1-7.- Reading material aimed at children aged 4-6.- CVC words (consonant-vowel-consonant). Three letters producing distinct sounds when blended that are simple to sound out. An example of this is sun, s-u-n.This 168-page phonics activity book features:- Introduction to the activity book- A variety of activities to practice phonics materials taught in the accompanying book Dandelion Launchers Extras Stages 1-7What is phonics?Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by understanding the sounds that individual letters make and blending them to make a word. Children can learn to read using this skill to decode new words. Phonic Books specializes in decodable, systematic books supporting this structured literacy instruction.
$50.00 US
Oct 31, 2019
Paperback
168 Pages
Phonic Books

Decodable Books for Beginner Readers Vowel Teams
9781783693313
Learn how to read with Dandelion Readers decodable books for beginner readers.Dandelion Readers, Level 3 are first reader books by Phonic Books which introduce children to a few letters and sounds at a time. The pack of 12 books is perfect for children in Kindergarten and Grade 1 who are learning to read, gradually introducing different vowel spellings through a series of stories. Two books for every stage provide phonics practice while offering different stories and encouraging independent reading from the start of their journey. Each stage introduces new letters and sounds while supporting any previously taught phonic letters or sounds and high-frequency words or sight words. For example:Book 1: Jake the Snake (/ae/: 'ai', 'ay', 'a', 'a-e', 'ea')Book 2: The Stream (/ee/: 'ee', 'e', 'ea', 'y')Book 3: Toad in a Hole (/oa/: 'oa', 'o', 'ow', 'oe', 'o-e')Book 4: Surfing (/er/: 'ur', 'er', 'ir', 'or', 'ear')       This beginner reader series features: - An introduction to four or five alternative spellings for each of the vowel sounds.- Reading material aimed at children aged 5-7.- Vowel spellings which introduce a vowel team. An example of this is vowel spellings ‘aw’/’a’/’al’/’au’ for the sound ‘aw’.This pack of 12 decodable books containing 12 pages features: - ‘How to Use This Book’ guidance page with ‘This book introduces’ text box, including information about the new sound being introduced, sounds learned from previous books, high-frequency words and important notes on the sound.- ‘Before reading this book, the reader needs to know’, ‘This book introduces’, ‘High-frequency words’, ‘Vocabulary’ and ‘Talk about the story’ information.- Reading and spelling practice.- Story pages (numbers 1-6). - Photocopyable game page to reinforce the sounds and letters learned throughout the book.What is phonics?Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by understanding the sounds that individual letters make and blending them to make a word. Children can learn to read using this skill to decode new words. Phonic Books specializes in decodable, systematic books supporting this structured literacy instruction.
$45.00 US
Jul 31, 2021
Boxed Set
192 Pages
Phonic Books

Activities Accompanying Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings Level 3 (Four to five alternative spellings for each vowel sound)
9781783693320
Learn how to read with Dandelion Readers decodable books for beginner readers.Dandelion Readers, Level 3 Activities are first reader books by Phonic Books which introduce children to a few letters and sounds at a time. This activity book accompanies Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings, Level 3 and is perfect for children in Kindergarten and Grade 1 who are learning to read, gradually introducing different vowel spellings through a series of activities. Two books for every stage provide phonics practice while offering different stories and encouraging independent reading from the start of their journey. Each stage introduces new letters and sounds while supporting any previously taught phonic letters or sounds and high-frequency words or sight words. For example:Book 1: Jake the Snake (/ae/: 'ai', 'ay', 'a', 'a-e', 'ea')Book 2: The Stream (/ee/: 'ee', 'e', 'ea', 'y')Book 3: Toad in a Hole (/oa/: 'oa', 'o', 'ow', 'oe', 'o-e')Book 4: Surfing (/er/: 'ur', 'er', 'ir', 'or', 'ear')       This beginner reader series features: - Activities to practice previously taught spellings in Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings, Level 3.- Reading material aimed at children aged 5-7.- Vowel spellings which introduce a vowel team. An example of this is vowel spellings ‘aw’/’a’/’al’/’au’ for the sound ‘aw’.This 256-page phonics activity book features: - Introduction to the activity book- A variety of activities to practice phonics materials taught in the accompanying book Dandelion Readers Vowel Spellings, Level 3What is phonics?Phonics is a way of teaching children to read by understanding the sounds that individual letters make and blending them to make a word. Children can learn to read using this skill to decode new words. Phonic Books specializes in decodable, systematic books supporting this structured literacy instruction.
$50.00 US
Jul 31, 2021
Paperback
256 Pages
Phonic Books

Decodable Books for Older Readers (Alphabet at CVC Level)
9781783692972
Phonic Books Moon Dogs Set 1 comprises eight books designed for older children at the very early stages of reading. The books contain contemporary illustrations and a story line based on the adventures of a group of teenage friends in a band. Moon Dogs Set 1 introduces sounds gradually at CVC level with one line of text on each page, Set 2 introduces consonant blends and consonant digraphs. Moon Dogs Set 3 introduces two spellings for a vowel sound. The Moon Dogs Extras set runs parallel to Set 1 and provides crucial further practice for the sounds of the alphabet at CVC level text. Moon Dogs VCe Spellings focuses on silent or 'magic' e spellings. Book 1: Is it Matt? (s, a, t, i, m) Book 2: Tam Has a Nap (n, o, p) Book 3: Sim and the Bat (b, c, g, h) Book 4: Ned, the Cat (d, e, f, v) Book 5: Kip's Bad Leg (k, l, r, u) Book 6: Jed's Bag (j, w, z) Book 7: The Big Hill  (x, y, ff, ll, ss, zz) Book 8: Ned is Bad (All initial sounds CVC) Accompanying photocopiable activities for word building, reading, spelling and comprehension can be found in Moon Dogs Set 1 Activities.
$35.00 US
Apr 30, 2018
Boxed Set
96 Pages
Phonic Books

Photocopiable Activities Accompanying Moon Dogs Set 1 Books for Older Readers (Alphabet at CVC Level)
9781783693023
Accompanying photocopiable activities for word building, reading, spelling and comprehension for Phonic Books Moon Dogs Set 1.
$35.00 US
Jun 30, 2018
Paperback
88 Pages
Phonic Books

Decodable Books for Older Readers (Alternative Vowel Spellings)
9781783692446
Zak is given a strange gift with special powers by his grandfather, but someone else wants it and will stop at nothing to get it. Phonic Books Talisman 1 introduces alternative vowel spellings. Talisman 1 comprises ten books and follows the same phonic progression as Phonic Books Dragon Eggs, Phonic Books Rescue and Phonic Books Island Adventure and can be used in parallel to consolidate phonemic knowledge and reading skills. Book 1: The Talisman (ay, ai, a, a-e, ea, ey) Book 2: Stampede! (ee, ea, y, e, ie, e-e, ei) Book 3: Shadow in the River (ow, oa, oe, o-e, o) Book 4: Deep Sea Danger (er, ir, ur, or, ear) Book 5: Hounded in the Snow (ow, ou & oi, oy) Book 6: Death at Noon (oo, ue, u-e, ew, ou, u) Book 7: A Cry in the Dark (igh, ie, i-e, i, y) Book 8: Attack at Nightfall (a, aw, awe, au, al, ough) Book 9: Mountain Scare (air, are, ear, ere, eir) Book 10: The Dark Master (ar) Accompanying photocopiable activities for word building, reading, spelling and comprehension can be found in Talisman 1 Activities.
$69.00 US
Nov 30, 2014
Boxed Set
200 Pages
Phonic Books

Activities Accompanying Talisman 1 Books for Older Readers (Alternative Vowel Spellings)
9781783692484
Photocopiable activities to accompany the set of ten books in Phonic Books Talisman 1, decodable phonics books for structured literacy intervention with older readers. This activity book includes activities for word building, reading, spelling and comprehension linked to the Talisman 1 books (ay, ai, a, a-e, ea, ey, ee, ea, y, e, ie, e-e, ei, ow, oa, o, oe, o-e, er, ir, ur, or, ear, ow, ou & oi, oy, oo, ue, u-e, ew, ou, u, igh, ie, i-e, i, y, aw, awe, a, au, al, ough, air, are, ear, ere, eir, ar).
$50.00 US
Nov 30, 2014
Paperback
152 Pages
Phonic Books