Jen the Hen

Jen the Hen by Colin Hawkins and Jacqui Hawkins

This is a simple story with flaps to show different words that end with "en". It is a fun approach to phonics that tells somewhat of an interesting story with a near endless number of "-en" words.

Meet Buzz and Fly Guy

Meet Buzz and Fly Guy (Phonics Long E book 7) by Tedd Arnold

This is a phonics version of the first Fly Guy book. It mostly follows the plot of the first book, though the story has been changed a bit to follow the phonics format. It also seems to abridge it a bit, with only some of the pictures used. Buzz finds fly guy as a pet. It seems to work alright.

Mouse Makes Words

Mouse Makes Words: A Phonics Reader (Step-Into-Reading, Step 1) by Kathryn Heling (Author), Deborah Hembrook (Author), Patrick Joseph (Illustrator)

A mouse takes off the first letter of a word to make a new word. It is an entertaining approach to phonics and word creation.

Numbers Are Everywhere: Sophia the First

Numbers Are Everywhere by Thea Feldmann, illustrated by Character Building Studio and Disney Storybook Art Team

This is a phonics book that counts from one to four. It is only for kids that really like Sophia the First.

Ant in the Mud, I See the Classroom, I See Families

Ant in the Mud, I See the Classroom, I See Families by John Shefelbine, Illustrated by Eve Aldridge and Center for Collaborative Classroom

These are three easy to read phonics books. The "I See" have text that can be viewed and read. They make for an easy way to start. Ant in the Mud is a bit more complex.

Fly Guy’s Thrilling Tricks

Fly Guy’s Thrilling Tricks by Tedd Arnold

This is a "phonic" version of a Fly Guy book. The story is roughly the same as the original. However, the words are changed to emphasize certain short-i words. It is not quite as good as the original but not bad.

SIPPS Beginning Level: We Can See

SIPPS Beginning Level: We Can See by John Shefelbine, Illustrated by Eve Aldridge and Center for Collaborative Classroom

This is one of the first books in the series and is very simple and easy to read, with different iterations of seeing.

Dora the Explorer: Let's go and Explore Phonics Reading Program

Dora the Explorer: Let's go and Explore Phonics Reading Program by Quinlan B. Lee

This is a collection of 12 small "phonics" books. The stories are short and engaging for toddlers. However, they are a little too simple for the readers that are being targeted. Older kids can read them easily. They are more simple than the "full" Dora books. There is not a whole lot of Spanish. Swiper does make a few appearances. Some of the stories seem to be a little ridiculous as they include a large number of words with the same pattern.

The stories:

1. Explore With Dora
2. Isa's Little Fish
3. Dora's Lost List
4. Stuck in the Mud!
5. Friends Out West!
6. Hope You Can Come!
7. Dora's Showtime!
8. I Missed You!
9. Dora Saves the Game
10. Dora Takes a Hike
11. At the Beach
12. Snowy Day

Fox on a Box

Fox on a Box (Usborne Phonics Readers) by Phil Roxbee Cox (Author), Jenny Tyler (Editor), Stephen Cartwright (Illustrator)

This is an easy to read story that does not hold much interest. The fox has a box. He does things with it. Some of the pages fold out for no particular reason.

Friends Together

Friends Together: Reading Adventures Sofia the First Level Pre-1 Boxed Set by Thea Feldmann, illustrated by Character Building Studio and Disney Storybook Art Team

Friends X together. Repeat a few times. This is a very simple super easy reader. It is part of a Sofia the first box set collection. Kids could learn the pattern to repeat. Only for kids that like Sofia the First.

Mat (Bob Books Set 1 Book 1)

Mat (Bob Books Set 1 Book 1) by Bobby Lynn Maslen, pictures by John R. Maslen

This early Bob book has simple text about Mat and Sam. Most of the text is similar to "Mat Sat". It is something that early beginning readers could easily pick up. The catch is that they could also guess the text just by looking at the illustrations. Maybe that helps? Or maybe that gets in the way of learning to read.

Willy's Wish (Bob Books Set 4, Book 6)

Willy's Wish (Bob Books Set 4, Book 6) by Bobby Lynn Maslen, pictures by John R. Maslen

Willy has a wish. He contemplates many things before he comes to a conclusion. This is a fairly decent story for a phonics book.

SIPPS Beginning Level: The Pet Pig: Part 2

SIPPS Beginning Level: The Pet Pig: Part 2 by John Shefelbine, Illustrated by Eve Aldridge and Center for Collaborative Classroom

This is part of a phonics collection of SIPPS beginning level. The story is a bit random (about a pet pig that smells smoke.) The language also feels a bit verbose for beginning readers. There are better ways to learn to read.