In 1991, I began a little business tutoring children in reading. I used a popular (at the time) phonics program and it was slow going. These poor little guys and gals seriously believed they hated to read. As a bibliophile myself, nothing seemed sadder to me than thinking that one hated books, the primary source of knowledge in our culture.
At that time, I had never heard of Bob Books or anything like it. We trudged along with phonics lessons on flashcards and in songs, and I did my best to wrap up each lesson with a story in a picture book that children could love. I was convinced even then that love was the foundation of true learning.
How I wish I had had Bob Books back then! I firmly believe my students would have thrived on them the way my own children do now.
Children, once they gain a bit of knowledge, like to flex their new mental muscles. Bob Books are the perfect outlet. Children learn just a handful of sounds–a, m, o, s, and t–and suddenly they can read a whole book! I see their little chests puff out with triumph; they are so happy to read a real book, all by themselves.
Just this past weekend, my five-year-old (who is my current reading student), got out her Set 1 books (she is working on Set 2 these days). She read through each book with a smile on her face, because she could read them all. I think we often underestimate the power of that feeling of victory, that moment when we have grasped a new concept and hold it fast with satisfaction and joy, turning it over in our minds. This is what Bob Books offer to little ones.
Oh, sure, they outgrow them in time. But I can say from experience that even an 8-year-old can remember them fondly. “My first books!” he says…and he smiles.
- Brandy Vencel is a mother of 4 and is blogging at Teaching with Bob Books.
Every child is different, so there is no specific age when your child will be ready for reading. Instead, look for signs and signals that may indicate reading readiness. Because young children learn so much at a very rapid rate, you may not even be fully aware of how much they already know. Some children grasp reading concepts and are able to sound out simple words as early as age 3; others may not start until age 5 or 6. Learning to read is very much a process; as your child’s first and most important teacher, he or she will need your patience, as well as your encouragement, every step of the way.
Next week I’ll be heading down to Portland for the 13th National 
The great thing about writing a blog is that it can evolve. We started the Bob Books blog with lots of background information about 
