Build Reading Confidence with Decodable Books 📚

Helping children become confident readers starts with the right tools — and decodable books are one of the best places to begin. 

So... what exactly is a decodable book?

A decodable book is a specially written story that gives early readers a chance to practice the phonics patterns they've already learned. It’s like reading practice that’s just right — not too hard, not too easy.

Let’s say your child hasn’t yet learned the “ar” sound in the word yard. That book might feel frustrating or overwhelming. But if they’ve learned short vowel sounds, a book with a word like rid will feel much more doable — and much more motivating.

Much like a well-matched fitness plan builds strength without injury, the right decodable book builds reading confidence without discouragement.

✅ What You Can Do This Week

Want to help your child build strong reading muscles? Here's a simple way to get started:

Step 1: Discover What Your Child Already Knows

One of the goals of Reading Services of Arkansas is to make foundational literacy knowledge more accessible to families — while also respecting how limited teachers are on time. That’s why we created this phonics-friendly checklist:

• ✏️ Easy-to-understand definitions for families

• ✅ Quick, teacher-ready format for fast feedback

  
  

Give this short checklist to your child’s teacher and ask them to mark which phonics skills your child has already learned or is currently working on.

Step 2: Match Books to Skills

Once you know which patterns your child is learning, you can find books that align with those skills — and avoid ones that introduce too many new or unfamiliar concepts at once. The right match boosts confidence and motivation!

Step 3: Use the Resources Below

Explore the list of free and paid decodable book resources below to find stories that support your child's current reading level and phonics needs.

🔓 Free Decodable Book Resources

1. Reading Universe – Decodable Texts by Phonics Skill Organized by phonics skill, this list makes it easy to find books that match exactly where your child is in their reading journey.

2. Google Spreadsheet – Free Decodable Book Directory A massive collection of free, printable decodable books for every stage of early reading.

3. CALS Library – Central Arkansas Library System Search your local CALS library catalog for keywords like “Patricia Norton”, “digraphs”, “long vowels,” or “r-controlled” to find free decodable options. Search here →

🛒 Decodable Books Available for Purchase

The Reading League – Decodable Text Sources This comprehensive list includes trusted publishers that create decodable books aligned with the Science of Reading. Perfect if you’re looking to buy summer reading books, expand a home library or classroom collection.

👨‍👩‍👧 Let’s Move Family Literacy Forward — Together

Our new Family Fundamentals page is here to make literacy support easier, more doable, and less overwhelming — one week, one topic, and one helpful tool at a time.

So whether you’re just starting your journey or are deep into the reading process with your child, we’re right here with you. Be sure to check back each week for a new topic designed with families in mind.

Let’s grow confident readers — together!