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Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp
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Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp.  All rights reserved.
about the book
The Homeschool Diner's Guide to
Learning to Read


All Time Favorites -- Books for Beginners

by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright 2006


Some fun, easy books for the new reader -- both old classics and new   
treasures...

Bob Books -- phonics based readers, 5 sets of books, each set focuses on
certain reading skills, there is not much to the stories (plot-wise), so they
are really geared to young beginning readers

Real Kid Readers by Marcia Leonard and others -- (preK - 3) early reader
series, uses phonics, site words, controlled vocabulary, and visual cues,
illustrated with photos of children, topics feature fun activities and common
social situations.

I Can Read Series by Harper Collins -- 4 levels of readers from picture
book to advanced, dozens of titles, including many family favorites, such as
Amelia Bedelia, Little Bear, and Frog and Toad, available in book stores
and most libraries

Henry and Mudge Series by Cynthia Rylant -- over 40 titles in this cute
easy reader series about a boy and his dog, includes Level 1 and Level 2
readers.

Mr. Putter and Tabby Series by Cynthia Rylant -- sweet stories about an
older man and his cat, recently out-of-print, though still widely available thru
major booksellers

Pathway Readers -- reading primers for grades 1 - 8  written by Amish
authors with a focus on wholesome, family-oriented stories and Christian
morals, but with no mention of religion in the text, optional workbooks
available

Dick and Jane Readers -- This series has been reprinted and paperback
versions are now available at most major bookstore chains, these books do
not align with phonics instruction, but are fun for general reading purposes.

McGuffey Readers -- (text free online available) -- This series, originally
written in 1836-37 and revised in 1879, was once used by public schools in
37 states.  Reprints are available from
MottMedia.  
The stories are short, most are character-building and promote Christian
values and morals (and include some prayers), some are written by famous
American authors.  The old-fashioned illustrations are lovely.  There are
occasional antiquated ethnic remarks.  Many families find the books to be a
useful part of reading instruction, especially those using educational
materials tied to Laura Ingles Wilder (Little House on the Prairie) and/or
American Girls, since the Readers are mentioned in those series.  Here is a
Wikipedia article on McGuffey Readers.  

Classic "Little Golden Books" are back!  Many old family favorites are
available again as reprints (and many vintage copies can still be found at
thrift stores and yard sales ;-)

The ALA's Non-fiction Series Round-up -- find non-fiction easy readers
by grade-level or topic
Have any favorite Early Readers to recommend?  
I'd love to hear about them!  Drop me a line at:

submissions at homeschooldiner dot com
(simply replace "at" with @ and "dot" with  . )

Or join the
Homeschool Diner Conversations Yahoo Group
and share your favorites with us there!