Beginner books for parents to read to kids that can't read yet

[Anonymous]

Except bob books, any other book recommendations? He is falling behind from reading goal, and he is still learning phonic sounds at K. He has intervention stepped in, and I need to read to him on a daily basis at home for like at least 15 mins. He hates bob books. I don't mind if they are animation or audio from website or subscription app that I can play on computer/phone. He tries to memorize those common words like "I, you, no, yes etc" , instead of using phonics to read. Is that fine? Should I stick with same 1-2 books to read for weeks or read different book to him every day?


So far we have below books for him:

-bob books set (he hates it)
-elephant & piggie set (he likes this one, anything similar?)
-other small book sets for beginner readers (some of them too complicated)
-many baby/toddler books that I keep for him. He can guess from picture, but he can't read words. He tries to memorize the words, but he can't because there are too many of them

I cannot donate/give away any baby books or toddler books because he can't read any words yet. His older brother is an advanced reader/speller/writer who can read at age 4 by himself, read chapter books at age 5, read encyclopedia of interested subject at age 6. We have hundreds of books at home from baby stage to advanced level. I hate to buy more baby books, but I will buy it if that is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Except bob books, any other book recommendations? He is falling behind from reading goal, and he is still learning phonic sounds at K. He has intervention stepped in, and I need to read to him on a daily basis at home for like at least 15 mins. He hates bob books. I don't mind if they are animation or audio from website or subscription app that I can play on computer/phone. He tries to memorize those common words like "I, you, no, yes etc" , instead of using phonics to read. Is that fine? Should I stick with same 1-2 books to read for weeks or read different book to him every day?


So far we have below books for him:

-bob books set (he hates it)
-elephant & piggie set (he likes this one, anything similar?)
-other small book sets for beginner readers (some of them too complicated)
-many baby/toddler books that I keep for him. He can guess from picture, but he can't read words. He tries to memorize the words, but he can't because there are too many of them

I cannot donate/give away any baby books or toddler books because he can't read any words yet. His older brother is an advanced reader/speller/writer who can read at age 4 by himself, read chapter books at age 5, read encyclopedia of interested subject at age 6. We have hundreds of books at home from baby stage to advanced level. I hate to buy more baby books, but I will buy it if that is helpful.

Read more complex books to him. Save the Bob books and easy readers for when you are starting to have him attempt the reading. They are boring to listen too because that is not the goal. If you go to the library you can also get phonics readers (ask the librarian for help finding them). My son also liked the “we both read” series from the library. Easy text for kid to read on one page. Longer more engaging reading for the parent on the facing page. They are leveled do the easiest ones only has the kid attempt 3-4 words a page at first.

[Anonymous]

It doesn’t have to be beginner books. Read longer books to him so he can enjoy the story and hear words being read. You don’t have to buy more books, just go to the library and check out some beginning books, try poetry/rhyming books. Also Mo Williams (Elephant & Piggie author)has other collections like The Pigeon series. Read those.

[Anonymous]

Dr Seuss, the simple ones like Hop on Pop.

Mine also hates Bob books and found them boring. But loves being read to (and agrees to read some words himself) from books that are funnier & more interesting.

If he's in K ask his teacher too.

[Anonymous]

Pete the cat
Curious George
Duck and Goose
Dr Seuss
Any books actually.. No need to buy, just borrow from library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read more complex books to him. Save the Bob books and easy readers for when you are starting to have him attempt the reading.

This OP. *When you are doing the reading*, the books should be complex.

*When your child is doing the reading*, beware of skipping ahead to Elephant & Piggie, baby/toddler books, or later books in beginner reader series, if they contain patterns your child hasn't yet learned to decode. Look at these videos to see how much behind-the-scenes work goes in to getting a child ready to read the word "purple." You'll see why for a child first learning to decode letter patterns, Bob books and decodable readers are what a child needs to practice on.

The Purple Challenge I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lxx7hs0qdKQ

The Purple Challenge II https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=h2pRi_B_Oj8&fbclid=IwAR0V-APzSobsRdl95xdLZiUUUi34fUhoJhcH2HFO85ZpR1W4bJf_Pg_p79c

[Anonymous]

We read Harry Potter to my son in kindergarten and he loved it. Made it his goal to be able to help read by the second book. Quite the motivator.
My daughter loves the Land of Stories series and we started those a year ago when she was 7 i think?

[Anonymous]

For a K that sounds normal. You should not be reading Bob Books to him, those are meant for him to read to you.

If you are really worried, the school probably has a reading specialist. We also do Hooked on Phonics and my daughter LOVES it. She has improved so much since getting these two resources (the reading specialist and HoP)

[Anonymous]

Make your child write the words - it's hard to memorize just by looking. If you are trying to get your read, have them copy (and read) simple phrases or sentences. I sat. My pet. You sit on the step.

[Anonymous]

Op here. He can't read bob books yet because he can't read. He knows some letter sounds, but it does not click to him that he can use phonics to read word. Are you all saying that I should read complex books with many words to him instead of those simple books like bob, baby/toddler books? We both are annoyed at those stupid books. My goal is that he can read. He already has IEP intervention on it

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He can't read bob books yet because he can't read. He knows some letter sounds, but it does not click to him that he can use phonics to read word. Are you all saying that I should read complex books with many words to him instead of those simple books like bob, baby/toddler books? We both are annoyed at those stupid books. My goal is that he can read. He already has IEP intervention on it

If you want him to read, work on Logic of English or All About Reading at home, or get an Orton-Gillingham certified reading tutor. The schools around here are just getting into phonics and unless your school has a teacher who has done the work on their own (for example multiple teachers at our elementary individually decided to get OG certified because they recognized it was what kids really needed), you need outside help to be either yourself or your kids.

But when it comes to books for your child, read at their listening level, not their reading level. I recommend http://www.readaloudrevival.com to get some great suggestions for read-alouds for 5-6 year old boys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He can't read bob books yet because he can't read. He knows some letter sounds, but it does not click to him that he can use phonics to read word. Are you all saying that I should read complex books with many words to him instead of those simple books like bob, baby/toddler books? We both are annoyed at those stupid books. My goal is that he can read. He already has IEP intervention on it

You should be reading him interesting books that are more complex. Those are great for vocabulary and comprehension. Picture books are still great at that age. Get a big stack from the library every week. You don't need to do chapter books yet.

He should be trying to read Bob books to you. If he can't yet sound out words himself, have him make each letter sound and then you can help him stretch out the sounds to figure out the word. Don't read these books to him. They're for him to read to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here. He can't read bob books yet because he can't read. He knows some letter sounds, but it does not click to him that he can use phonics to read word. Are you all saying that I should read complex books with many words to him instead of those simple books like bob, baby/toddler books? We both are annoyed at those stupid books. My goal is that he can read. He already has IEP intervention on it

If you want him to read, work on Logic of English or All About Reading at home, or get an Orton-Gillingham certified reading tutor. The schools around here are just getting into phonics and unless your school has a teacher who has done the work on their own (for example multiple teachers at our elementary individually decided to get OG certified because they recognized it was what kids really needed), you need outside help to be either yourself or your kids.

But when it comes to books for your child, read at their listening level, not their reading level. I recommend http://www.readaloudrevival.com to get some great suggestions for read-alouds for 5-6 year old boys.

Second this. He needs OG tutoring to learn the phonics. Don’t count solely on the school to teach him. If he’s still learning letter sounds, something is wrong. Hire a private OG tutor-twice a week minimum. Best investment you can make. Don’t wait - every month matters.

As for what you can do, continue reading to him. Read books he’s interested in-NOT baby books. Go to the library with him and let him choose. Check out tons of books to find what he likes. He needs to be surrounded with language, and find a love of reading/books, on top of OG tutoring.

Once he has achieved learning letter sounds and simple blending, then you can give him the Bob books for him to read to you.

And, whatever you do, DON’T teach him yo memorize words. That is not reading; that’s memorization.

Again, start looking for an OG certified tutor now.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Where are those OG tutor in person (zoom or online does not work for this age) in montgomery county? We live in gaithersburg area, so anywhere in germantown/rockville/gaithersburg works for us. Are they covered by insurance? Any cheaper but good recommendation?

[Anonymous]

There are virtual and in person OG tutors. One in one in person is best, especially for younger kids. It’s not covered by insurance, unfortunately. I’d start by asking on local FB mom’s groups for recommendations. Your kid isn’t the only one with this issue and hopefully you’ll get a name for someone who is near you. Whatever you do, make sure the tutor is OG certified. This is an investment-you’re not looking for a high school student who wants to make some summer money or even a special Ed teacher without the certification. If you’re going to make the time/money commitment, ensure it’s spent wisely.