What is decoding?
Decoding refers to the ability to translate written words into spoken language. It is a critical skill that enables readers to recognise and understand words on a page or screen. When decoding, readers use their knowledge of letter-sound relationships, spelling patterns, and word structures to sound out unfamiliar words and read them accurately.
Decoding is an essential component of the reading process, particularly in the early stages of reading development. As children learn to decode words, they can begin to make sense of the text and comprehend what they are reading. As they become more skilled at decoding, they can read more fluently and with greater comprehension, enabling them to access more complex texts and ideas.
Decodable books
Decodable books are designed to support early readers in their efforts to decode words. These books typically contain a high proportion of words that follow regular phonics patterns or spelling rules taught explicitly to the reader. They are carefully crafted to help beginning readers build confidence and fluency in their decoding skills by providing them with opportunities to practise reading words in a controlled and systematic way.
By reading these books, children can apply the phonics skills they have learned in a meaningful context and build their confidence and reading fluency. Decodable books are not meant to replace other types of reading materials, but rather to supplement them. Once children have gained proficiency in decoding, they can begin to read a wider range of books that contain more varied vocabulary and more complex ideas.
Top 20 Decodable Texts for Young Readers
Julia Donaldson's Songbird Phonic Collection
The Julia Donaldson’s Songbirds Read with Oxford Phonics 36 Books Collection Set is a comprehensive set of books designed to help children learn to read using phonics. The set includes 36 books divided into four stages, which gradually increase in difficulty. The books feature engaging stories written by renowned author Julia Donaldson, and each book introduces new sounds and words that children can practice reading.
The books are beautifully illustrated, and the text is large and easy to read, making it ideal for young readers. The phonics system used in the books is based on the Oxford Reading Tree, which is a well-established and trusted method for teaching reading.
Speed Spelling Game
The Usborne Phonics Readers 12 Book Set is a collection of charming and colourful books designed to help young children learn to read using phonics. The set includes 12 paperbacks, each one featuring delightful stories that are specially crafted to help children practice the sounds and letter combinations they are learning in their phonics lessons.
The books are designed to be easy to read, with simple sentences and large, clear font that is perfect for early readers. Each book also includes helpful tips for parents and teachers, with guidance on how to support children’s reading development at home and in the classroom.
My First Phonics Reading Library
Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library is a collection of 20 books designed to help children learn to read using phonics. Each book focuses on a specific sound or group of sounds, with simple words and sentences that use those sounds. The Usborne My First Phonics Reading Library is a great resource for parents who want to support children in developing their reading skills through phonics.
The set is designed to introduce children to phonics in a fun and engaging way, with bright illustrations and simple text. The audio component helps children to learn the correct pronunciation of words and can be accessed online for free.
Oxford Reading Tree: Level 1+: Floppy's Phonics Fiction
Oxford Reading Tree: Level 1+: Floppy’s Phonics Fiction is an exciting and engaging series of 6 books designed to help children develop their reading skills. This series is part of the popular Oxford Reading Tree program, which is used by schools and educators around the world.
The books are designed to help children develop their phonics skills and improve their reading fluency, and each book introduces new sounds and letters to help children build their reading confidence.
The series also includes helpful notes for parents and teachers, with guidance on how to support children’s reading development at home and in the classroom.
First Little Readers Level B
“First Little Readers: Guided Reading Level B (Parent Pack)” is a collection of 25 books that are designed to be the right level for beginning readers. The books are guided reading level B, which is appropriate for children who are just starting to read.
Each book in the set contains simple sentences with repetitive text and familiar vocabulary, which helps children build their confidence and fluency as they read. This parent pack is a great tool for parents who want to support their child’s reading development at home. By reading these books with their child, parents can help their child practice reading skills such as decoding, sight word recognition, and comprehension.
Jolly Phonics Orange Level Readers Complete Set
The Jolly Phonics Orange Level Readers Complete Set is a product bundle that includes a set of books designed to help children learn to read. The books use the Jolly Phonics system, which is a synthetic phonics program that teaches children the sounds of the English language and how to use them to read and write.
The Orange Level Readers Complete Set is designed for children who have already learned the sounds of the letters and are ready to start reading simple words and sentences. The set includes 18 different books, each of which focuses on a different sound or group of sounds.
First Little Readers Bundle
“First Little Readers: Guided Reading (Parent Pack)” is a collection of 16 books that are designed to help children improve their reading skills. The books are written with age-appropriate vocabulary, simple sentences, and engaging illustrations that will capture the attention of young readers.
Each book in the set features a different story that is easy to read and follow, making it an ideal tool for children who are learning to read independently.
This parent pack is an excellent resource for parents and teachers who want to support their child’s reading development.
Scholastic Phonics Starter Pack
The Scholastic Phonics: Starter Pack 1 is a set of decodable phonic books designed for children between the ages of 4 and 6. The books aim to teach children how to read using a systematic approach to phonics, which involves breaking words down into their component sounds and blending them together.
The set includes 8 different books, each with a different theme and storyline.
Reading Champion Collection
The “Reading Champion Collection 30 Books Set Paperback” is a set of 30 books designed to help children learn to read. The books are levelled and include a range of titles. They are published by Raintree Publishers and are aimed at children aged 5-7.
Learn to Read at Home with BugClub Phonics Set 1
The Learn to Read at Home with Bug Club Phonics is a collection of 4 fiction books that help young children learn to read with phonics. The books are designed to be engaging and fun, with colourful illustrations and simple, easy-to-read text.
Each book in the pack is carefully levelled to match the phonics progression of early readers. With simple phonics patterns, repetitive text, and familiar topics, these books are perfect for young children who are just starting to read.
Learn to Read at Home with BugClub Phonics Set 2
Learn to Read at Home with BugClub Phonics Set 2 is a continuation of the engaging and interactive learning program designed to help young children learn to read in the comfort of their own home.
With Set 2, children will continue to develop their phonics skills by learning more letter sounds and developing their fluency and comprehension skills.
I Can Read! Phonics Box
“Pete the Cat 12-Book Phonics Fun!” is a collection of 12 mini-books designed to help children learn about short and long vowel sounds. Children will have the opportunity to practise identifying short and long vowel sounds, sounding out words, and building their reading comprehension skills.
The stories are written in simple language that is easy for young readers to understand, and they are accompanied by colourful illustrations that help bring the stories to life.
Learn to Read books (60 books)
The Children’s Learn to Read Books Lot 60 – Reading Strategies Buyer’s Choice is a set of books and reading strategies intended to help children learn to read. The set includes 60 books, which provide a variety of reading material for a Reception/Year One reader.
The texts are designed to help children develop their phonics, fluency and comprehension. The inclusion of these strategies may be particularly helpful for children who are struggling with reading or who need additional support.
Read with Oxford: Stages 1-2: Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: My Phonics Story Collection
Written by Julia Donaldson, the book contains a collection of twelve stories that feature different characters and are designed to help children develop their reading skills.
Each story in the book focuses on a particular sound or group of sounds and includes a range of phonics activities to help children recognise and remember these sounds. The book also includes tips for parents and teachers on how to support children’s phonics development, as well as a set of phonics games and activities that can be used alongside the stories.
Phonics: First Little Readers
The Phonics First Little Readers Product Bundle is a comprehensive set of books and teaching materials designed to help young children learn to read through phonics instruction. The bundle includes 24 books which include short vowels, consonant blends and long vowels.
The Phonics First Little Readers Product Bundle is intended to be used by parents and other educators who are working with young children to develop their reading skills.
Animal Phonics Readers
The Animal Phonics Readers Parent Pack is a set of 24 non-fiction books that teach key phonics skills to young readers.
Each book in the pack focuses on a different animal, from alligators to zebras, and is designed to help children learn a specific phonics skill. The books are written in an easy-to-read format, with simple sentences and plenty of colourful illustrations to keep children engaged.
The non-fiction focus of the books also makes them a great choice for children who are interested in animals and want to learn more about them while also building their phonics skills.
Nessy Decodable Book Bundle
The Nessy Decodable Book Bundle is a collection of decodable books aimed at helping early readers develop their reading skills. Decodable books are books that are written using phonics and other reading strategies to help children learn how to read by sounding out words.
The Nessy Decodable Book Bundle is designed to be used alongside Nessy’s online phonics program, which is intended to support children with dyslexia, ADHD, and other learning difficulties.
Animal Phonics Readers
The Animal Phonics Readers Parent Pack is a set of 24 non-fiction books that teach key phonics skills to young readers.
Each book in the pack focuses on a different animal, from alligators to zebras, and is designed to help children learn a specific phonics skill. The books are written in an easy-to-read format, with simple sentences and plenty of colourful illustrations to keep children engaged.
The non-fiction focus of the books also makes them a great choice for children who are interested in animals and want to learn more about them while also building their phonics skills.
Sight Word Stories
The Sight Word Stories Parent Pack Guided Reading is a set of little books designed to help new readers develop their reading skills. The pack includes 25 stories, each of which teaches a high-frequency word to help children improve their reading fluency and comprehension.
The books are written at Guided Reading Level D, which is suitable for children who are beginning to read on their own. Each book includes a set of sight words that are highlighted throughout the text, helping children learn to recognize them more easily.
The Sight Word Stories Parent Pack Guided Reading Level D is an excellent resource for parents who want to support their children’s reading development at home.
My Beginning Readers Set
“My Beginning Readers Set” is a collection of 25 first reader books, designed for children who are just starting to learn to read. These books are classified as Level A, which is a basic reading level with simple vocabulary and sentence structure.
Read with Oxford: Stages 2-3: Phonics: My Storytelling Kit
The kit includes six engaging storybooks that follow a systematic phonics progression, introducing new sounds and sight words in a fun and interactive way.
In addition to the storybooks, the kit also includes a helpful guide for parents or educators. The guide provides tips and ideas for how to support children’s learning and development, as well as suggestions for fun activities that can be done at home or in the classroom.
The Read with Oxford: Stages 2-3: Phonics: My Storytelling Kit is suitable for children aged 4-6 who are learning to read and write. It is designed to support children as they progress from learning to read simple words to reading longer and more complex stories, and is aligned with the UK phonics curriculum.
Laugh-a-Lot Phonics: Long Vowels
Laugh-A-Lot Phonics: Long Vowels (Multiple-Copy Set) is a collection of little books designed to teach key decoding skills related to long vowels. The set includes multiple copies of each book, making it an ideal resource for classrooms, tutoring sessions, or small-group instruction.
Each book in the set focuses on a specific long vowel sound and includes engaging stories, colourful illustrations, and a variety of activities to reinforce phonics skills. The books are designed to be easy to read and feature a range of vocabulary words that help children develop their reading fluency and comprehension.
