Once kids have learned their early phonics rules and the most frequently used sight words, they can read the following books:
The Dick and Jane series. These books are great because they include only words that follow early phonics rules as well as the most frequently used sight words. I have kids start reading these books once they have finished Book 4 in Steps to Reading. (Click here for info on those workbooks.) That means they have learned long vowels and the sound y makes at the end of a word like “funny” and “Sally.”
Mercer Mayer’s Little Critter series. My favorite is Just Me and My Puppy. I always use it after kids have learned the sound y makes at the end of a word. Then I have kids read the whole series. The series is good to use once kids have learned vowel digraphs like —ea, —ai and —oe. Unlike Dick and Jane, the books feature some words the kids have not learned yet, like “marshmallow” or “movies.” Just read those words to the child. Do not have them guess what they could be.
The Mr. Putter & Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant. If you don’t want the whole set, I recommend getting the following titles:
The Little Bear series by Else Minarik. If you don’t want to get the whole series (but I highly recommend that you do!) start with the book called Little Bear. It contains four little stories. Once kids can read the first story (called What Will Little Bear Wear?) I no longer consider them beginning readers. We always celebrate because they are now "really" reading and can go on to read many other stories.
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