07. Decodable books

Books with simplified spelling patterns, which beginning readers can tackle independently with success. Please choose a level at which your learner can independently read 95% of words, or 90% of words if they’re reading to you, so you can help them with some words.

Decodable books we have at least samples of at Spelfabet:

Other decodable books we are aware of but don’t have copies yet:

The UK publisher Barrington Stoke also has books with enlarged font, simplified text and themes suitable for struggling older readers. Available in Australia via Allen and Unwin (on their website choose “Advanced Search” then Filter by Imprint – Barrington Stoke) or Seelect Educational Supplies.

The Dangerous Games books from Blake Education are written at about an eight-year-old decoding level but of interest to students aged 8-14, and they have other “Hi-Lo fiction” which can be a nice step in between between decodable books and mainstream books.

Decodable Big Books (note that books that are part of classroom programs have an interactive whiteboard version)

31 thoughts on “07. Decodable books”

  2. Robin

    Thanks for this list! I’ve been so frustrated by the lack of decodable books for my son.
    We also like All About Reading and Now I’m Reading series. We’ve both been losing our reading motivation but I think this list will help us get started again!

    Reply ↓

  4. Pingback: Levelled books for guided reading | Spelfabet

  5. Pingback: I Haven't Got My Glasses: The Adult Literacy Challenge | Spelfabet

    1. alison Post author

      You’re most welcome! I was researching this area for myself/my clients so it just made sense to make it available to others. Thanks for the nice feedback.

      Reply ↓
      1. Mel

        The long list is fantastic, but if I was trying to convince my AP to purchase a set to show that decodables are the way we need to go for our special ed students, is there a particular resource you would recommend? (NSW)

        Reply ↓
        1. alison Post author

          The books we use most with students aged 8 and over are the Phonic Books Catch-up books, which also have workbooks that are very useful for aides and parents to help kids work through, and they have activities targeting all of the Big Five. http://www.phonicbooks.co.uk/product-category/catch-up-readers. I have a cupboard full of them and we lend them out in sets to our clients. It’s rare to find an older child who doesn’t like at least some of the stories.

          Reply ↓

  7. Pingback: Decodable readers – Phonics: the key to successful reading

  8. Donald Potter

    Blend Phonics Lessons and Stories by Donald Potter

    Here are 62 of the best decodable stories for kindergarten and first grade, or anybody who needs to learn to read from the ground up. This is the free edition. You can purchase my inexpensive paperback from Amazon or Barnes & Nobles. Each story includes a phonics lesson, decodable story, 4 comprehension questions, and spelling words.

    http://donpotter.net/pdf/blend_phonics_stories.pdf

    Reply ↓
    1. alison Post author

      Donald, thankyou for this, I have added a link to this and the beginners’ program page. I’m just printing off your free books now and will bind them and show people, and when I get a chance also think about where else the link might usefully be added on my website. Thanks again and all the very best, Alison

      Reply ↓
  10. Kalpana Jay

    As an early years teacher, I could not agree with you more on the need and relevance for Decodable Readers. This is a wonderful list, thank you for putting it together!
    What about SSP? Have you had an opportunity to review the Speach Sound Pictures program?
    Found it in one of the schools that I taught.

    Reply ↓
    1. alison Post author

      Hi Kalpana, Thanks so much for the nice feedback, glad you’ve found my site useful. I have had a look at the Speech Sound Pictures program from Qld and it has many evidence-informed features, but I don’t promote it via this website, though I am not able to discuss why here. Sorry about that. All the best, Alison

      Reply ↓

  11. Pingback: Transformational Literacy Program for Hastings Children - EARLY CONNECTIONS

  12. Pingback: Embedded picture mnemonics: flashcard size - Spelfabet

  13. Pingback: Free download: My Reading and Word Journal - Spelfabet

  14. Pingback: Free resources for hard times - Gilead Success with Reading Programs | help kids learn to read and spell | fun with phonics | phonics based computer programs | help with reading | success with reading

  15. Pingback: Cheap decodable books – Pocket Rockets | Spelfabet

  16. Pingback: Cracking the Code to Reading and Writing (Part 3) - Box Hill Speech Pathology

  17. Megha

    I am a management graduate and write for 12th pass students for various career options. I write for a good blog. I want to write about a lot of things out there, please guide me on how I can become a good blogger.

    Reply ↓
    1. alison Post author

      Sorry, Megha, how to be a good blogger is not the subject of this blog, just google it and you’ll find plenty of good advice. Alison

      Reply ↓

  18. Pingback: Filling the gaps in teacher knowledge and skills | Spelfabet

  19. Pingback: Dyslexie font, coloured overlays and Irlen Syndrome | Spelfabet

  20. Pingback: Some great places to find Decodable readers | The Cheney Family

  21. Pingback: The sweaty sounding-out stage builds reading muscle | Spelfabet

  22. Pingback: “These are just books kids can read!” | Spelfabet

  23. Pingback: THIS is a BORING book! | Spelfabet

  24. Pingback: Balanced Literacy: phonics lipstick is not enough | Spelfabet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *