My son (3.5) LOVES to read and has recently started showing signs of reading on his own. He can read rhyming words (word families) and simple sound it out words. I'd like to get him some simple beginning reader books, that he can start to work through on his own. I'd prefer to check them out from the library, rather than buy anything and I'm not interested in any big Phonics Kits or anything like that. Just the most basic reading books out there. Any suggestions.
My son loves everything by Sandra Boynton! He even took one of her books (Blue Hat, Green Hat) for his first share day at school and read it to his class!
The BOB books are good. Your library should have the whole collection.
I remember when my brothers and I first started reading we started with the "Books by Bob" series. They have several different levels of it, as well. It was also the series that my kindergarten teachers used. I remember being bumped up to the next "level" of those books since I already knew the 1st level from home.
Let him play on starfall.com. Its free games - letters, phonics and reading!
Sondra Boynton "Barnyard Dance" was one of my daughter's favorites! Even though you are not looking for phonics kits......for Christmas maybe check out the Leap Frog Tag Reader. We gave it to my daughter for Christmas one year, with extra books, she then got tag books for Valentines, Birthday and her Easter basket. You have to load the books onto the pen/reader with a computer, then it reads the book out loud, at your pace. You can go over the same word again and again if you need to, and it will also quiz the child on what they have read and you can also play a few simple games with it (I spy type). When you connect the reader to your computer again it will tell you how much your child has read, how many quizzes have been taken and the % of questions answered correctly etc. my daughter LOVED it, and in the 2nd grade is now reading and taking A/R tests on 4th & 5th grade level books. She would sometimes stretch out in her room to read books, and always brought it in the car for trips...we were even able to get her headphones for it so she can hear it when we are in the car, or at the racetrack with my husband. Best investment in educational toy ever!
The library has a beginning reader section. I can't think of anything of the top of my head, but I would check into that.
http://www.starfall.com also has some fun beginner reading books
My son's first favorite was an early-reader series about Biscuit - a dog who has all kinds of adventures. It's perfect for your son's age. It's written by Alyssa Capucilli. Our library had the whole series (Biscuit makes a friend, Biscuit goes to school, etc). We also found a few Thomas the Tank Engine books in the early reader section.
Have fun, and let him help pick the books.
There are so many. Of course, there's Dr. Suess. There's a series of "I Can Read" books. Eric Carle writes great books. Your best bet is to take him to the library and let him choose.
You may want to check out accelerated reader, it's a program that's used in many school districts. http://www.arbookfind.com/default.aspx
I don't have any titles, but check the early reader books at your library. There are several pre-k levels that are great for a beginning readers.
THe tag reading system has books based on letter sounds. My mother got those for my son and they have been a great tool for prereading and reading, since many of the main words rhyme. We often read those without the tag reader.
The children's librarian at your local library will be a GREAT help! Librarians are well educated (typically with library science as a major) and know lots about books, literacy, and your own library's collection. The children's librarian will be able to find exactly what you're looking for!
I bought the book 'Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons'. I think it would be great to use for a brand new reader.
I bought it to teach my DD and she already had a decent understanding of sounding things out...but it is geared toward a child just learning.
I think it would be a great teaching tool for your son.
http://www.amazon.com/Teach-Your-Child-Read-Lessons/dp/06...
When I first looked at this book it seemed a bit overwhelming...but once I sat down and read it for myself I understood the point of the weirdly drawn letters.
As far as early readers...Bob Books are considered the best!
HTH!
At our library they have the Children's Library on it's own, and the books are sectioned according to the type of reader a child is, so I would go to the Early or Beginning Reader section. Everything there would be at his level, and he can pick the books out he likes, a definite plus in getting him excited about readying. Also, talk to the Children's librarian, they are aware of the newest books out, or books on a certain topic, etc., and can make recommendations.
I agree with Emily S. because I taught my reluctant and ready reader how to read with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. It stresses the importance of phonics when first learning rather than sight word memorization. If you can sound things out, you can learn how to read anything. It is only one book and very easy. I LOVE IT!!! I can't believe how easy it is. I never thought I could teach someone how to read! Green Eggs and Ham are suggested for the first sounds introduced. Although you may have to purchase the Bob Books, they are small books in little boxes and not very costly. Your child will love them. They are little kind of stick people without color, but my non readers carry them around in hope.
My reluctant reader didn't show signs of readiness until age 7 and I worried. I got only half way through that book and he took off! Now he can't stop and reads so fast that I have to say, "Are you sure you read that?" That just proves how each child is different.
Good Luck..Great anwers
