If your child is learning how to read, you might have heard of the term “decodable” from their teacher. Locating these "decodable" books is something we are definitely being asked about more and more at the library. So what are they and how do you find them?
Decodable books might sound complicated until you think about language as a secret code a reader needs to crack. Each letter represents sounds, and a reader is learning to understand what those sounds are and how they blend together to make a word. This is also known as phonics, which is widely taught in kindergarten and first grade. Many of these decodable books can be found in our "Early Readers" section at the library next to the Kids Desk.
A confusing aspect of Early Readers is the different levels that are attached to the books, such as Level 1 or Level 3 or letters A-Z. Each publisher determines these levels and unfortunately, there is no universal standard for how these books are judged. The levels certainly can be helpful when trying to decide if a book is a good fit for your reader, but they should not be the only determining factor. The appeal of the book is just as important.
Families should continue to select a variety of books at all levels and interests, and prioritize learning to read as a positive experience. While some books may be too challenging for young readers to tackle on their own, reading books that are fun and of high interest to children will help build their language comprehension. We should support new readers by reading aloud as often as possible in order to help with fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, and overall reading interest. Children who love to read will want to learn how to read. More importantly, they will stick with it, even when reading is difficult. Be sure to keep reading fun!
Here are some books we recommend that focus on phonics and fun - Click the link to place a hold!
